LIVE REVIEW: GoldLink @ Villa

 DeAnthony Carlos, otherwise known by his stage name GoldLink, has come a long way in the span of just a few years. Having initially gained an underground following with his first mixtape, The God Complex, GoldLink has gone on to release two more celebrated albums and make his mark across the world.

Amongst his countless sold out shows was one very special night for Perth. Hundreds flocked to Villa for GoldLink’s third appearance in Perth. Since his performances at Laneway Festival and Origin NYE in 2016, his admirers have grown in size and diversity — and this was well evident with venue packed to the brim. What an amazing example it was of the uniting power of music. (The only letdown? The venue was too small to accommodate the same amount of craziness typical at his other shows.)

GoldLink’s uniqueness is reflected in his music and the crowd that he attracts. He exhibits and makes continuous reference to D.C.'s go-go music culture, steering away from traditional rap. Recent tracks like 'Herside Story' shed a different light on love and intimacy, by exploring the paradigm of gentleness and a man’s willingness to devote himself towards his lover. This kind of sensitivity separates the 24 year old from other rappers in the genre.

Energy was coursing through everyone’s veins, and every hard-hitting verse literally made you want to dance with whoever was next to you. Songs like 'Meditation', 'Have You Seen That Girl?' and 'Summatime' from his latest Grammy-nominated album At What Cost all exhibited a groovy blend of funk, disco-esque and soulful beats — which were all well received by fans. Tracks from his acclaimed second EP, 'And After That, We Didn't Talk' emerged later on in the night, and of course, fans weren't complaining.

As the show carried on, GoldLink didn't hesitate to become more intimate with the crowd; he was more than willing to embrace the moshpit, shake hands with fans and interact with them. All night long, he was in the zone without the care for any kind of hierarchy. It was gestures like these that showed a true appreciation for the support he's received throughout his music career.

The young artist ended his show with ‘Crew’, the most highly anticipated song of the night. Teasing the intro of the song, GoldLink heatedly launched into the lyrics with his audience right by his side. Out of all his tracks, the tune of 'Crew' definitely pays homage to traditional rap and RnB. Singing in unison, both GoldLink and his fans revisited his journey to success. 'Pray Everyday (Survivor's Guilt) is the perfect testament to him overcoming the harsh reality of a rough background.

As it resounds, GoldLink finds the balance between the general fast pace of rap lyricism and striking sentiment — to give his fans an offering unlike any other.  Not only has this unique flair led him to his success, but it has also impacted the direction of where rap is heading towards.

To testify to Black Entertainment Awards' crowning, GoldLink is well and truly amongst the top rappers already shaping the future of hip hop.