When word got out that the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players event would be taking over Webster Hall for a free concert on Friday (Sept. 5), New Yorkers from all walks of life consumed three blocks waiting — and hoping — to get inside. Those lucky enough to gain entry celebrated every second of the night, as DJ Ohso meticulously spun through hip-hop bangers, sultry afro tunes and a little bit of Paramore to keep the crowd energized, engaged and hungry for a showcase from Billboard‘s Rookies of the Year.
Armanii kicked the night off with his signature blend of dancehall and hip-hop grooves, as fans swayed to “8:00 PM,” “JUMP (Bounce)” and others. Attendee’s workday blues than completely vanished thanks to Billboard‘s Hip-Hop Rookie of the Year GELO, who swaggered about the stage and ignited the party with the littest cuts off his debut album, League of My Own. While fans cheered and supported the newer tracks, it of course was his viral hit “Tweaker” that fully locked the crowd in with its unifying “woah’s” and “ahh’s.”
After a short breather, Odeal‘s presence was immediately felt throughout Webster’s Hall, as people erupted just at the mere sight of the African Rookie of the Year. There were dozens of diehard supporters in the audience, who screamed out every syllable of “Soh-Soh,” “London Summers” and of course “Miami,” with the soon-to-appear headliner Leon Thomas. Before that, though, Ravyn Lenae floated onto the stage to quickly transport the crowd to a more mystical realm. Lenae gracefully sang through her biggest hits including “One Wish” and “Love Me Not,” sprinkling pixie dust along the way like an R&B fairy godmother.
But it was Thomas that really brought the house down. He railed on the drums, shredded on the guitar, sang his absolute heart out — firing off every firearm in his musical arsenal and leaving no survivors. The crowd, admittedly a bit worn after such a lengthy showcase, rallied behind Thomas and fully came back to life as Ty Dolla $ign casually strutted out while singing his verse on “Far Fetched.” The DJ then queued up “Carnival” right after, the Ye (formerly Kanye West) and Ty’s Vultures 1 cut that hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart back in 2024. As Ty sang through the single and hyped up the crowd, Leon and his band — for lack of a better term — rocked the f—k out. Then, almost like a fever dream, the night was over, leaving the crowd sweaty and satisfied in every way.
