Photography by John Krug (@krug.visuals)
On August 22nd, New York City’s Terminal 5 hosted the final of three sold-out nights of highly anticipated chaos delivered by arguably the fastest-rising star in hip-hop, Ken Carson. The Opium label signee has brought infectiously unbridled energy to packed venues throughout the country all summer, creating more viral moments than one can count. From opening up Playboi Carti’s iconic “King Vamp Tour” in 2021 to sprawling festival stages and headline shows, Ken has quickly solidified himself as one of the “must-see” performers within the hip-hop realm. Consistently sold-out dates and the recent release of his long-awaited A Great Chaos Deluxe has made the Chaos Tour one that a whole new generation of rap fans have been incredibly eager to experience. This became evident well before anyone had even entered the venue. The line outside was a testament to Ken’s booming popularity, weaving around the block over an hour before doors opened. Radiating with contagious energy, the massive congregation of fans outside looked the part too, as most were dressed in all black, perfectly in line with the “Opium” aesthetic. An incredibly important part of modern artistry is crafting a vibe that fans can resonate with and fully rep, something that Ken has undoubtedly already achieved. As 7 PM hit and doors opened, the youthful crowd surged forward, ready to secure prime spots, grab some highly sought after merch, open up that first mosh pit, or some combination of all three. An evening of pure mayhem & many surprises was about to unfold.
The full tour has been supported by genre-bending rising star 2hollis, who instantly kicked off the night with an unforgettable bang. His indescribable fusion of techno, hip hop & hyperpop transported the cavernous, industrial Terminal 5 venue into a pulse-pounding rave. Every song that dropped during the 30-minute set had the entire packed floor, even those who may not be accustomed to his sound, jumping & chanting in sync. His most “Ken-esque” track, “Jeans”, was the most memorable standout. The glitchy, thumping beat sent the packed house into a frenzy with ease, creating a vibe so infectious that everyone in the room had to take note. This type of engagement can be tough for openers to bring out of a crowd, yet Hollis delivered, perfectly showcasing his enigmatic aura & sonics. The stage was set and the energy, as high as it already felt, was about to be taken to a whole new level.
Following a 30-minute intermission filled with buzzing anticipation, the lights went down as a towering, metallic structure was revealed onstage. Overhead lights began to flash in sync with an eerie score as the sold-out crowd packed forward en masse. Roaring, chest-pounding bass then rattled throughout, serving as the extended introduction to one of Ken’s most high-energy tracks, “Hardcore.” As he emerged through a flurry of smoke & strobes, it was go-time. His signature screams & grunts paired with the crowd’s relentless energy let anyone who wasn’t already aware know what they were in for: pure chaos. Cruising right into yet another thunderous Great Chaos cut, “Lose It,” Ken commanded the crowd with ease as mosh pits filled the floor and the bass echoed even louder. Thick fog overtook the venue paired with vibrant, flashing lights which brought his signature edgy horror aesthetic to life. Being visible as nothing but a silhouette at certain points, he’d created an atmosphere that simultaneously emphasized the audience’s rambunctious display of energy & his expertly curated vibe. Everyone had just stepped into the living, breathing world of A Great Chaos. This would become the standard for the whole night: nonstop energy, striking visuals & no shortage of new music that fans have been itching to experience live.
As the last of three consecutive sold-out nights in NYC, Ken also had a few surprises up his sleeve for the most dedicated fans in the audience. Following over a dozen of his hardest-hitting tracks and top-notch crowd energy, fellow Opium label signees Homixide Gang made a surprise appearance to the instantly recognizable beat of their track “Lifestyle.” Embarking on a tour of their own this Fall, Beno & Meechie seemed right at home onstage with Ken, solidifying themselves as key components to the world this label has so perfectly crafted. The energetic duo managed to amp the audience up to a whole new level, leaving them in the perfect spot for one last surprise. As the glitchy instrumental to Ken’s track “Singapore” rang throughout the venue, any well-seasoned fan knew what was coming next. His longtime collaborator & labelmate Destroy Lonely strolled onstage, creating a moment that was nothing short of electric. The iconic duo performed the track together with ease, then treated the crowd even more by performing two brand-new, unreleased cuts. The vibes were high in New York City and the audience was mesmorized. With the energy at its peak, Ken took this as an opportunity to bring everyone on a rapid-fire journey through some of his biggest hits to end the show on a high note.
From the recently viral “ss” to his biggest track ever “Yale,” the energetic connection Ken has with his fanbase was made more evident than ever before. The night closed with a treat for both casual and hardcore fans: a showstopping, mosh-heavy performance of “Fighting My Demons” followed by fan-favorite, unreleased cut “free young thug” as the grand finale. As the lights came back up and the frantic gathering of 3,000 came back to reality, it collectively set in that everyone had just experienced something special. It didn't matter if this was someone’s first Ken show or even their third that week, not one person inside the toweing, metallic venue left without a smile. Whether someone was letting loose in a mosh pit or observing from the balcony, we all certainly had gotten exactly what we were there for: a night packed full of delightful chaos.
Click HERE to view all of Ken's upcoming tour dates. The Chaos Tour goes overseas in September then returns for a U.S. Leg 2 this Fall! This is not a show you want to miss.
Stream A Great Chaos (Deluxe) below and check out the rest of our photos captured by staff photographer John Krug (@krug.visuals)!
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