Sunday night saw Larry June and The Alchemist celebrate the release of their joint project, ‘The Great Escape’, with an astounding one-off show at Omeara in London. The intimate gig showcased the beatmaking ability of The Alchemist, while June demonstrated a commanding stage presence that brought the crowd to life throughout his set.

The duo started things off with an astonishing DJ set from The Alchemist. The producer and Hip-Hop pioneer expertly manoeuvred his way through his own discography, playing hits from the likes of Mobb Deep, Dilated Peoples, and Benny The Butcher amongst others to send the crowd into a frenzy ahead of the arrival of June on stage. The energy he brought from behind the decks was infectious, as the crowd fed off every record scratch and switch of beat. The musician certainly showed that his part in ‘The Great Escape’ cannot be underestimated, as his lush, rich soundscapes give June the perfect backdrop for his brand of laid-back bars and smooth flows.

The stage was then set for Larry to announce himself to the London crowd, kicking off proceedings with ’89 Earthquake’, followed by two more tracks from ‘The Great Escape’. The venue came to life when June invited an audience member to rap Big Sean’s verse on ‘Palisades, CA’, strengthening the relationship between the audience and the crowd. June had the confidence and comfortability on stage of a seasoned performer, weaving in and out of each track with ease whilst maintaining the high energy levels of the audience in front of him.

It was then the turn of special guest Knucks to grace the stage, as the UK Rap star shut down his performance with his renditions of ‘Home’ and ‘Los Pollos Hermanos’. As he handed the reigns back to June, the two teased that they had been working on music together, which is exciting to see given both of their positions in Rap on each side of the Atlantic.

June then closed out the show with a string of fan favourites, including ‘Watering My Plants’, and ‘Green Juice In Dallas’. The rapper had an assured presence on stage and showed off a great understanding of crowd control, making his audience feel part of the show throughout and keeping them involved. The Alchemist has already achieved legendary status in the world of Hip-Hop, and Larry June is well on the way to replicating that in his own career. ‘The Great Escape’ is a project that sees both at their very best, and their chemistry on stage more than lived up to expectations.