jim legxacy brings lewisham to sobs

Sometimes you’re witnessing history unknowingly, but last night everyone in SOB’s was well aware of what they were seeing. Jim Legxacy was already having a fantastic year before setting foot in America for the first time to do two sold-out shows at SOB’s; this just felt like an exclamation point on an MVP-level year. When we walked into the room, the energy was palpable, bodies from wall to wall in the venue. On stage, two musicians were setting up, and a small digital sign lit up, showing the train times for Lewisham Station, a small detail that does so much for the world-building Jim has displayed for his album, black british music, over the year.

Photography by FilmShemar

Then, like the Red Sea, the crowd parted for Jim to come to the stage. He was wearing a black puffer and a red MCM backpack; his smile showed both excitement and amazement. “Jim” chants were raining down from all four corners of SOB’s. He opened with “Stick,” a highlight from the album and a contender for song of the year, in my opinion, and from there he performed favorite after favorite with the crowd, never missing a beat. All the energy that the crowd had, Jim returned and then some. The band did an amazing job translating these songs for a live setting. I also thought it was pretty dope of Jim to do his first shows in the country with live instruments and no backing tracks. Honestly, the crowd was doing the rapping/singing for him, me included.

Jim wasn’t the only one who crossed the pound as he brought dexter in the newsagent with him as she opened and performed with Jim to do the track “dexters phone call.” It was a real highlight of the night with everybody in the room singing along. Other highlights included Jim closing the night with the hit “father,” having the crowd rap Dave’s infectious verse on “3x,” and, obviously, when he performed “’06 wayne rooney.” To me, though, the true high point of the night was when he performed “i just banged a snus in canada water” that transitioned directly into “new david bowie,” in a moment that felt like the energy in the room could blow the roof off at SOB’s.

dexter in the newsagent

The night showed just how much Jim’s music has reached and touched many people’s hearts. Notice how much I mentioned that the crowd participated, singing alone, rapping the guest verses, and bringing such high energy. In a relatively short amount of time, Jim Legxacy has cut through the news with very vulnerable, honest, and boundary-pushing art. The only thing I, and I assume many others who attended the two NY shows, had on their mind was how endless the possibilities are for the artist. I, for one, can’t wait to see what comes next.

Written by Malachi Mitchell