Words by LargeUp Crew
Photos by Matthew Enbar
First off, we need to big up our brother, friend, contributor and Day 1 supporter Walshy Fire on the release of his debut album, ABENG, which just dropped via Mad Decent. If you haven’t listened yet, click hereand run tune on the streaming service of your choice.
As the first full-length LP to bridge the burgeoning afrobeats movement with its parallel forms in the Caribbean, dancehall and soca, ABENG is ushering in a new level of diasporic consciousness that we will no doubt be feeling the waves from for years to come.
On Wednesday night, Walshy celebrated the release of the LP with a listening party at New York’s Alley Cat Amateur Theater, sponsored by Bacardi and presented by Mad Decent with support from LargeUp and TMWRK.
Guests included Kranium, featured artist on ABENG single “Call Me” (alongside Mr. Eazi); Walshy Fire collaborators The No-Maddz, and elusive dancehall don and lyricist extraordinire Blak Ryno. DJs We Chief, Eddie STATS and Neil Robertson held down the sounds ahead of Walshy’s track-by-track rundown, and a brief performance by the always entertaining No-Maddz.
Catch the highlight reel and photos below.
