At a Denzel Curry concert, “hype” and “rage” aren’t just words; they’re a full-blown experience. The energy never dips from the first opening act to the final beat. Mosh pits erupt, fans bounce nonstop, and the air drips with sweat. On April 25th, The Salt Shed was transformed into an unforgettable chaos-fueled party. With explosive openers like Clip, 454, and Kenny Mason, the crowd showed their passion for hip hop and pure, unfiltered rage. Touring King of the Mischievous South Vol. 2, a wild blend of Southern-style heat and his signature gritty edge, Denzel Curry proved once again why he’s one of the most electrifying, innovative rappers in the game.
Since 2013, Denzel Curry has been dropping one standout album after another.
From his bold debut, Nostalgic 64, to the breakthrough Ta13oo and now his latest tour, Curry has stayed true to himself while paying homage to the legends before him. His fusion of gritty ‘dirty south’ and raw, aggressive lyricism has forged a loud, fearless sound and unmistakably his own. And when that sound hits live? It’s pure combustion! Fans lose their minds, and the whole place acts a damn fool.
As electric as the night would become, it started with a slow burn. Openers CLIP and 454 set the tone, gradually building anticipation. By the time Kenny Mason hit the stage, the crowd was ready to explode. A thunderous roar shook the venue as the Atlanta rapper sprinted out, instantly commanding the room. For his entire set, Mason had the audience under his spell. When he jumped, they jumped; when he called out lyrics, they shouted them back. No crutch of overused backing tracks here, just raw talent and presence. It felt like witnessing the rise of a future star.
When the lights dimmed for the final time, DJ Poshtronaut took the stage, riling up the crowd for the main event: Mr. Denzel Curry.
Moments later, Curry burst onto the scene with the explosive energy of his opener, “ACT A DAMN FOOL.” Thunderous hip-hop beats shook the venue as the crowd erupted into motion. From that moment on, Curry hit like a tidal wave—unrelenting, powerful, and nonstop for the next hour and fifteen minutes.
While the set leaned heavily on his latest album, Denzel Curry made sure to honor his full catalog. ZUU lit up the room with “RICKY,” Imperial roared to life with “ULT,” and even UNLOCKED, his joint project with Kenny Beats, got a nod as he spit “DIET_” over Kendrick Lamar’s “TV off” beat. Curry isn’t just consistent with releasing great music,he outshines many of his peers live by barely leaning on backing tracks. His flow is versatile, shifting from hard-hitting and stripped-down to rapid-fire and fluid, with every syllable delivered crisp and intentional. During “STILL IN DA PAINT,” he made a triplet-heavy verse sound effortless, turning complex bars into a masterclass in control.
Later in the night, both 454 and Kenny Mason returned to the stage, with Mason jumping in for his verse on “SKED” to the crowd’s delight.
Even a fan got their moment, joining Curry on stage to rap “HOT ONES” side by side. Chaotic and rowdy as the show was, it radiated love and respect. Curry shouted out multiple artists throughout his set, including Juicy J of Three 6 Mafia, who features on “COLE PIMP.” As the night wore on, the party never lost steam. The energy hit a fever pitch when the bass dropped on “Ultimate,” and “CLOUT COBAIN” brought the main set to a powerful close. But Curry wasn’t done; he returned for one final salute, tearing through his verse on “JPEGULTRA!” in a tribute to collaborator JPEGMAFIA.
Denzel Curry is easily one of the most electrifying forces in hip hop today. In a 2022 XXL interview, he boldly declared, “I’m the best rapper alive. Point blank, period.” After witnessing his live show and soaking in the impact of his latest album, it’s a claim that’s hard to argue. Curry is operating at a level of raw, undeniable talent that few in the game can touch. And if my word isn’t enough, just look at the thousands packing out his shows night after night. His music speaks, and people are listening.
All photography by Oscar De Leon
