As this was our first time seeing Masego live in concert, we were unsure of what to expect. His music is wildly captivating, and his lyrics are genius. He has collaborations with some big names in R&B and hip hop respectively, such as Don Toliver, Common and Shenseea. But outside of his incredible catalog, Masego himself remained a bit of a mystery for us. That was until he stepped onto the stage at HOB Dallas. Boy, were we in for a surprise.
At first glance, one may think they know what to expect from a jazz musician. To have the smooth offering of a saxophone, intermixed with R&B elements, and a dynamically angelic voice, it all makes for an undeniable vibe. This fusion makes Masego unique a standout, and the buttery lyricism keeps his listeners yearning for more. He’s dubbed his music as “TrapHouseJazz”, a trailblazing combination of genres, a lane all his own.
As the lights went dark at The House of Blues, a troop of jazz musicians took the stage, including a percussionist. The chords preceding the well known lyrics of, ”I love you, I love you, I love you,” sampled from “Michelle” by The Beatles began to play. A popular chant, albeit core fans immediately recognized it as 2017’s “Navajo,” a standout record that is still beloved to this day. Stage right Masego confidently sauntered out from the shadows, and the crowd roared as the number continued. The singer was welcomed by a sea of onlookers who sang along every word.
“Where are the ladies at?” he asked coyly, smiling out at the crowd as the melodies of “Queen Tings” began, sending all of the women in the audience into a frenzy. It’s a sweet serenade in which Masego expresses his adoration for women he admires, such as Lupita Nyong’o, and Danai Jekesai Gurira. This was soon followed by “Old Age,” another nod in the direction of his fond appreciation women.
Masego, whose real name is Micah Davis, continued to woo the crowd with more throwback hits like “Lady Lady”. He alternated between the cut’s notably catch hooks and impressive saxophone riffs (which sounded even better live) all while adding in dance moves, which was met with encouraging cheers from fans. Responding to this energy, Davis relied heavily on the technique of call-and-response throughout his set, and the audience repeated just about anything, whether it be multiple instances of “Hi-de-hi-de-ho” or “Money, money, money,” during the track, “Black Anime.”
“If you’re having a great time, say Yams!” and the crowd responded in kind as Masego danced around to the beloved bop, “Yamz.” Fans swayed and sang along in tandem. On record, it’s a mellow, smooth jam, but on stage, Masego introduced some extra spice and pizzazz that almost practically transformed the song.
The crooner continued the evening with breakout jam “Mystery Lady” with Don Toliver, a hit that continues to play on the airwaves. During another standout hit, “Tadow” his energy was all but palpable, with commanding stage presence and was met with full crowd participation throughout the House of Blues.
Masego has a few days left on his tour, and this is certainly an evening his fans will be reminiscing on until he visits again. If you’re considering catching this rising star on the road, you’re in for a treat!
