Trippie Redd at Kadetten 2019

Trippie Redd got our attention after the cancellation of A$AP Rocky, and our reviewer was not disappointed.

For the second day of Kadetten, the main act was originally meant to be Chance the Rapper. As we all know he canceled his participation for personal reasons and was replaced by A$AP Rocky. However he also had to cancel at the last minute, as he was detained in Sweden the day before after being arrested for an alleged assault.

So with the main act missing, I decided to write about the gig that struck me the most: Trippie Redd. A young talent that has been around since 2015. He released his first mixtapes A Love Letter to You 1 and 2 in 2017. Part of the so-called cloud rap movement, Trippie Redd’s career has been growing massively. He has been featured in plenty of collaborations, and leading him to release his first album Life is a Trip in 2018 as well as the third sequence of A Love Letter to You.

Trippie Redd is a rapper full of talent, with lyrics that range from love letters to hate statements and even suicidal notes (e.g. “Taking a Walk”), placing him closer to the emo-rap movement. With a repertoire full of options, the Kadetten crowd was lucky to be presented with some of his greatest hits “Dark Knight Dummo” and “Fuck Love”. His personality, energy and force captivated the audience. On tape Trippie Redd has rhythms that flirt with elements melodic trap, mixed with versatility, at times incorporating rhythms from metal, rock or punk.

Filled with energy and power.

On stage the tale is different. Leaving the refined mixes behind, he concentrated fully on the energy and power of his own presence, jumping around, screaming and engaging directly with the audience. He presented his most recent hits “Under Enemy Arms” and “Topanga” to an audience that was seemed pleased with the stamina and toughness of the rapper, who from minute one jumped on stage with all his power.

By far one of the best gigs of the second day of Kadetten, the young rapper got me excited to follow his career going forwards. With more time and experience (not that he has not plenty already) on stage, I am convinced he will be able to showcase all of the talent and versatility from his mixtapes and albums during his concerts as well, making him one to watch.