ADVERTISEMENT

Motor-mouthed rapper Logic challenged the American Sign Language interpreter to keep up with a crazy fast freestyle — and she killed it

Logic's Sunday night performance at Governors Ball in New York City was something of a coming-out party for the 27-year-old rapper.

Logic performs on day three of the Governors Ball Music Festival on Sunday, June 4, 2017, in New York.

The show was one of his first since the May release of "Everbody," his anticipated followup to his 2015 hit "The Incredible True Story," and his first concert in New York since the release. Logic begins a major headlining tour with Joey Bada$$ and Big Lenbo next month.

ADVERTISEMENT

While "Everybody" has received cautious praise and healthy criticism for its ambitious, but "heavy-handed" approach, Logic answered the critics with a tireless performance that put the focus where he always has: on giving back and connecting with his fans, who he calls the "Ratt Pack" (an acronym for "Real All The Time").

Logic spoke to the audience often, pointing out specific fans in the crowd who he recognized from past performances, and calling on no less than 10 young fans in the audience to hear their name, their age, and where they were from. That level of crowd work could seem stilted for another artist, but when it's someone who appears as good-hearted and earnest as Logic, you can't help but root for him.

And then he took the playfulness to another level, stepping down to introduce the American Sign Language interpreter for his show, Kat, and asking her if he could test the speed of her signing by freestyle rapping. She, of course, assented, and Logic showed off his impressive flow, all while Kat kept pace.

ADVERTISEMENT

He showed why he has such a rabid fanbase throughout the show, with energetic and heartfelt renditions of "Black SpiderMan," "1-800-273-8255" (the number for the National Suicide Prevention hotline), and "Anziety."

Logic ended the concert with a monologue about his struggles with anxiety and panic attacks and, seemingly, an answer to those knocks about his "heavy handedness."

"I want y'all to know that all of the music I make is for the people that truly appreciate it and care about it. It's not for the people who don't f—k with it or say it's this or that or whatever. That's subjective. This song is for everybody who needed it. I love you," he said, leaving more than a few audience members in tears.

FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Recommended articles

Congo is spending 22% of its scarce revenue on security - Minister

Congo is spending 22% of its scarce revenue on security - Minister

Another African country is set to get a Russian embassy

Another African country is set to get a Russian embassy

Medic West Africa 2024: A resounding success in fostering collaboration and innovation for a brighter healthcare future

Medic West Africa 2024: A resounding success in fostering collaboration and innovation for a brighter healthcare future

10 African countries with the most troubling external debt in 2024

10 African countries with the most troubling external debt in 2024

10 African countries with the least soft power influence over the world

10 African countries with the least soft power influence over the world

Kenyan government rejects calls to ban TikTok, recommends tighter control over

Kenyan government rejects calls to ban TikTok, recommends tighter control over

Congo accuses Apple of conflict minerals in its supply chain

Congo accuses Apple of conflict minerals in its supply chain

Top 10 African countries with the highest fuel prices in April 2024

Top 10 African countries with the highest fuel prices in April 2024

The gold trade in Uganda makes a huge comeback

The gold trade in Uganda makes a huge comeback

ADVERTISEMENT