Written and Posted By Israel Lerma
Credit: Photographs Taken by Andrew Timmsy
On April 11th, at the grand Bayou Music Center in Houston, Santan Dave from the streets of Brixon, South London, kicked off his The Boy Who Played The Harp. From the streets of London, his sharp lyricism and introspective writing, with such a calming British delivery, make the song. His music is personal, and he is an emotionally raw artist who gives us a sense of life in his new music. After 10 years, the boy has started playing the Harp.
Starting up his set, Dave played the first song on his new album, History, featuring James Blake, a common feature for most UK rappers. Opening with this song was pretty classy, and having the live band play the whole time was neat. With live drums, guitar, and keyboard, every song really stood out, and it felt like an orchestra was playing as Santan Dave rapped. The James Blake vocals also made me levitate, and made my inner spirit feel like the album cover. The next song is a special one, Weapons, featuring one of the best upcoming UK rappers, Jim Legxacy, who has one of the best debut EPs in hip-hop history. Hearing his feature live was great, and Dave makes this song groovy in a way that makes you dance.
With the remaining of his set, he spiraled into the beginning and classics of his discography, as this was his first time in Houston in years. Thus, he spiraled into his 2021 album, We Are Alone In This Together, and played my favorite song Both Sides of a Smile featuring James Blake. This eight-minute song feels like Dave is talking to everyone as he shares a personal story with his love. The production, especially live, is literally cinematic, almost end-of-the-world beauty to it, and Dave rides it with this reflective and very emotional tone. It sounds like isolation, pressure, ambition, and survival all crashing together, with the voice of Dave and James hitting my inner spirit. My favorite part of this song is when the uncredited woman starts talking and shames Dave; her emotional voice makes us wonder who was in the right.
He then played one of his classics, Sprinter featuring Central Cee. Both these men rap so smoothly, effortlessly, and just overall very clean. Dave and Central Cee sound ridiculously locked in, trading this British cool, kinda cocky, confidence with slick bars over a trappy beat. It is one of those tracks that makes UK rap feel untouchable for a moment, and is a good song that represents their culture.
He then finished his set by playing Raindance, which features Tems. Now, his most popular song, the feature with Tems, feels so clean and vibey, with a smooth late-night luxury and a soft ache underneath. Dave brings that cool, controlled confidence as he raps about his life after all these ten years, while Tems floats over the track, giving it a dreamy, almost weightless feeling that makes the whole song glow. This collab sounds quite exquisite, and genuinely represents the position of Dave now, as a man turned boy who plays the Harp. Overall, Dave is more than just a technically strong rapper from overseas; he is an artist who knows how to connect real substance with great sound, something that islacking in today's hip-hop world. That is why he stands out so much: when you listen to him, it feels like you are hearing someone who is not only talented but who genuinely has something to say.