From Viral to Verified: A Night With KenTheMan at S.O.B.’s in NYC
by nxus Contributor, Tiana Jemmott (IG: @the_mrsicy)
Venue History & Legacy: S.O.B.’s the Stage Where Legends Are Made
On July 23rd, KenTheMan took over the stage at the legendary music venue S.O.B.’s for the second time in two years, this time for her Kinda Famous Tour. S.O.B.’s, crowned the stage where legends are made, was opened by owner and director Larry Gold in June 1982. Gold opened the venue with the purpose of exposing the musical wealth and heritage of the Afro-Latino Diaspora to as many people as possible. True to its mission, S.O.B.’s has become renowned as the premier venue in New York City for Brazilian, African, Latin, R&B, Hip-Hop, Haitian, Caribbean, Alternative, and World music. Known as the place “where legends are made,” S.O.B.’s has been proud to serve as a launch-point for the music industry’s greatest rising stars, with over 40 years of hosting the most iconic artists to date. In the 90s, S.O.B.’s was solidified as Manhattan’s home of Hip Hop, hosting icons such as Wu-Tang Clan, DMX, Mos Def, KRS-One, Tribe Called Quest, Talib Kweli, and continued into the 2000s and beyond, with superstars such as Kendrick Lamar, Jill Scott, and Cardi B.
Taking the five-minute walk from the train to the venue, I knew exactly who I was going to see. I’ve been a fan of Ken since I first saw her freestyling to “Buss Down Thotiana” in her car on Instagram. I had the Kinda Famous album on repeat the whole way there and was buzzing with anticipation.
The venue was lit up with stunning graphics of Ken, perfectly setting the tone before DJ Cee Watts even touched the aux. From the golden car cruising down the road to the “Kinda Famous” gas station that brought the album cover’s visuals to life, to a massive screen stacked with televisions playing KenTheMan music videos and promo clips—the attention to detail wasn’t just aesthetic, it was storytelling. It was a tribute to the 304, a nod to the legacy of Houston rap and culture, and a full step into the brand and world Ken has built for herself.
Immersion Before the Lights Drop
Being one of the first to arrive, I got to see exactly who Ken’s fans are. I always knew Ken made music for the baddest girls in the land, but that night solidified it. Every time I turned around, another group of stunners had appeared: chit-chatting with other attendees, ordering drinks from the bar, and commanding attention with their presence alone—just like the artist we were all there to see. A true bad bitch hot spot.
Naturally, I had to speak to a few of them, and it became clear that Ken doesn’t just have casual listeners—she’s built a truly loyal fanbase. Most of the people I spoke to had been listening since 2020 or 2021, saying they got hooked during her 4 Da 304’s era and never looked back. A few told me they were most excited to hear her viral tracks like “First,” “Crazy Bout Me,” “Cocky,” and “I Got Questions,” but they were just as hyped for deeper cuts like “IDGAF” and “He Be Like.” One attendee had only been listening to Ken for two years but made this show her first-ever concert. If that’s not impact, I don’t know what is.
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As the room filled to capacity, the anticipation only grew. As more people poured in, DJ Cee Watts hit the stage and the energy in the room started to shift. With every track she dropped, the crowd got louder—girls were twerking and rapping along like it was already peak club hours. By the time Frankie Bleu stepped in as the opener, the transformation was complete. His signature energy—the same hilarious, charismatic vibe he brings to his social media and post-club videos—came through effortlessly on stage. He wasn’t just introducing the show; he was amplifying the atmosphere.
At a certain point, it truly stopped feeling like we were just at S.O.B.’s waiting for a concert to begin. A part of me still isn’t convinced I didn’t walk through a portal that night. With a fire DJ spinning, an electric host, and a room full of baddies buzzing for the main act, it felt like we had been transported straight into the hottest club in Houston, all of us waiting for KenTheMan to take the night to its climax.
It was only right that when Ken touched the stage, she made her entrance to the album opener, “Big Shit Talker.” She looked genuinely thrilled to be there—glowing with excitement—but there was nothing shy about her entrance. The Houston rapper perfectly matched the energy of her lyrics and her brand: bold, sexy, and confident as ever. If critics or haters want to call her a shit talker, just know—she has all the chops to back it up. No moment hit harder than her final song of the night—“First,” her most viral track to date and number one song on Apple Music. If any song perfectly embodies Ken’s brand and highlights her potential to dominate the female rap space, it’s this one. And if the speakers at S.O.B.’s weren’t loud enough, the crowd made up for it—rapping every word with the same bold confidence as the song itself and its performer. The energy was so high, Ken could’ve easily exited the stage knowing the crowd was satisfied—but that’s not the style of KenTheMan’s fans.
Just as Ken would if her favorite CEO thought he could satisfy her with a lowball check, her fans asked her to “Gimmie More” by cheering for an encore. That’s the kind of moment artists dream of—and Ken earned it in the city where dreams are made. She got emotional, just for a beat (as any real one would), before pulling herself together and diving back in with the same fire. If there was any doubt she was built for this, it ended right there.
Setlist Highlights: Viral Hits and Deep Cuts
Her set was stacked with fan-favorite tracks, from “The P*ssy Song” and “Still” to “Gimme More” and “Gimmie Dat.” But one of the most electric moments came during her viral 2020 freestyle “Freaky Freestyle,” when the entire room erupted and rapped along to every line like it was the national anthem. From the second she stepped out, Ken had the room in the palm of her hand. Whether it was new tracks from Kinda Famous or deep cuts from earlier projects, she delivered each like it was her biggest hit—and the crowd matched her energy bar for bar.
The connection between her and her fans was undeniable. She didn’t just perform for the crowd; she performed with them. She shouted out fans who went lyric-for-lyric with her and even recognized people who were at her last SOBs show. She made sure to give the people who showed up for her their flowers, and the crowd gave her hers right back.
KenTheMan performs First at NYC’s SOBs, Kinda Famous Tour 2025
KenTheMan Photographed by MARCUS AMBROSE WILLIAMS
It’s always a special feeling to know you’ve been a day-one fan of a true gem—and to finally watch them get the attention, love, and flowers they’ve long deserved. I may have walked into S.O.B.’s thinking Ken was Kinda Famous, but I walked out knowing that was just the beginning of her story—not the peak.
If the tour is hitting a city near you, do yourself a favor and get tickets. It’s a show you absolutely won’t want to miss. As for me, I’ll be bumping Kinda Famous—and a few older Ken tracks this show reminded me I love (available on Apple Music, Spotify, and your favorite streaming apps).
And when the time comes, I’ll be front row for her Definitely Famous tour—because next time I see KenTheMan live, that’s exactly what she’ll be.
Live Concert Coverage:
KenTheMan performs "I'm Perfect" at SOBs in New York stop on the Kinda Famous Tour through nxus coverage. On-site correspondent Tiana J. (Instagram/TikTok: @the_mrsicy)
Contributor Bio:
Tiana Jemmott is a cultural essayist, writer and Influencer whose work explores the intersections of Black womanhood, identity, and creative legacy AND she is one video away from being your new favorite beauty influencer. This Brooklyn-based Creator was born and raised in NYC and has been creating content since 2020. She makes content for beauty lovers who are navigating their 20s while catering her content to be inclusive towards Black beauty enthusiasts.
