Review:
Azealia Banks, Plug
FREEZING weather had no effect on attendance as New Yorker Azealia Banks’ show in the intimate neutral room sold out several weeks ago, like all dates on her début UK headline tour.
Since topping the NME cool list and finding third in the BBC Sound Of 2012 poll the now London-based 20-year-old has seen her star soar.
Despite début single 212 just grazing the top 75 in the UK late last year social networking via YouTube especially has brought her to a massive audience.
Lightening quick and very explicit, her rapping grabbed the attention of many labels and after fleetingly signing for XL, it seemed she was set to follow label mate Adele’s success. That didn’t work out and after a short hiatus she returned to work with top notch producer Paul Epworth and sign with a major label.
Tonight she was greeted by a roaring crowd as she appeared beneath a pink bolero and obligatory shades, both discarded before the end of opener Grandscam. Her T-shirt - logo unprintable - followed later to reveal a skimpy bra, which had the desired effect.
Musically Chill$ went down well and L8R had the front fringe rapping along, but it took 212 for the room to erupt, Ms Banks knowingly introducing it as “the one you’ve all come to hear” and for three minutes the room was bedlam.
A brief, 25-minute taster from a talented young lady who, while not a pioneer, is definitely set to blaze a trail of her own.
Sean Bruce
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
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