Colde is an artist of many talents. Hailing from South Korea, he has built a thriving career on his terms as an independent singer-songwriter and composer. His approach to alternative R&B is fascinating – he beautifully combines rock, hip-hop, and jazz elements into his music, making it impossible to box him into a single genre. Experiencing his music live, I realised that he’s not only making music, but he also creates an experience that secures his place among some of the greatest R&B artists I’ve cherished, including Usher, Musiq Soulchild, and Ne-Yo. Some might call it an exaggeration, but after witnessing his latest performance, I stand by it – Colde belongs in this league.

His extensive world tour, BLUEPRINT, took him across the U.S. and Canada before making its way through Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. He recently wrapped up the European leg, finishing with a final stop in London.

For the London show, Colde took over The Clapham Grand, bringing along his WAVY labelmates, Basecamp and Khakii. In all honesty, my entire review could be summed up in one word: SUPERB. And no matter how eloquently I describe it, nothing will fully capture the magic of experiencing Colde, Khakii, and Basecamp live. It’s something you simply have to witness for yourself. But let’s break it down.

Basecamp opened the show with Wandering, their 2022 digital single. The duo – comprising Chae Wook-jin (guitar, vocals) and Moon Jun-ho (keyboard, vocals) – are great producers who debuted as a unit that same year. They followed up with their latest release, Sun and Life, and treated the audience to two unreleased tracks: From John and Silver Line. Before performing, Wook-jin exclaimed, “You are the first people to hear these songs.” Silver Line, with its stunning composition and sound, instantly drew me in, carried by Wook-jin’s soothing vocals. When the duo harmonised, it was magic. Their sound is versatile, perfect for almost any setting – whether you’re relaxing at home, taking a walk on the beach, or grooving at their live show. They don’t demand attention; instead, they effortlessly draw you into their world.

After just four songs – far too short a set – it was time for Colde to take the stage. He opted for a mellow R&B opening with Toxic Love from his 2024 YIN (Youth In Nostalgia) single album. Delivered with sincerity, his warm and fluid vocals made the emotions in the song even more meaningful. He followed up with Heartbreak Club and Yayaya. The former had the essence of classic R&B, bringing nostalgia with contemporary elements, while the latter, originally recorded with Omega Sapien, showed Colde’s versatility. His effortless rapping had a distinct old-school flair, reminding me of Pharrell Williams’ grooves.

During his first ment, Colde said, “London is my second home,” before moving into Poem, a track from 2018.

What I appreciate about Colde as an artist is his dynamism – he never stagnates. Each song reveals a different aspect of his creativity. You Don’t Need My Love demonstrates this – it’s melancholic yet soulful, defined by Colde’s impeccable vocal control and a delicate, jazzy instrumental arrangement that enriched the song’s bittersweet nature during his performance. Watching the crowd respond to his set was fascinating – swaying gently to his R&B tracks, jumping and screaming during the high-energy rock moments, and transforming into makeshift rappers when the hip-hop beats kicked in.

Next came Light, from his 2021 release of the same name, before the energy in the venue shifted again with the arrival of Khakii. Together, they performed BASS (2019) and Juicy. The bass-heavy beats and their unrestrained energy felt like we were taken to an underground hip-hop club. Khakii hyped up the crowd, saying: “Khakii is here! What’s up London? It’s my third time here, and your energy is always great. Me and Colde made new songs, it’s gonna be juicy.” And it truly was – a glorious throwback to the golden age of ‘90s hip-hop.

Khakii continued solo with Coffee, Lost (featuring Moon Sujin), and Double Up (originally featuring sokodomo). Double Up had the unrestrained energy of an LL Cool J-era performance, with old-school hip-hop influences that made even my sprained foot tap along involuntarily. As a rapper, Khakii’s delivery is exceptional – precise, charismatic, and effortlessly engaging.

Colde returned for the second half of his set, and this is where things went from great to mind-blowing. Alongside Basecamp, he lit up the stage with Nirvana Blues, Lighter, and I Fuxxing Love You. Lighter, in particular, was rock & roll perfection – his distorted vocals crackling through the mic as he unleashed a performance with crazy energy. Taken from his 2021 Idealism album, this track is definitive proof that genre is just a playground for Colde – he masters them all.

The night continued with Sunflower and I Color You, two beautiful tracks overflowing with grooves. His delivery was so intense that it felt like he was pulling the audience into his own world, song by song.

As the concert neared its close, Colde wrapped things up with two incredible covers I’ve ever seen an R&B/hip-hop artist attempt: Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit and Oasis’ Wonderwall. The former could have gone wrong in so many ways, but Colde tackled it with effortless grace; he simply owned it. Wonderwall was a fitting, sentimental closer, giving the audience one last moment to sing along before the night ended.

Colde’s performance confirmed something I’ve long suspected: R&B artists are some of the best candidates to cross into rock and hip-hop. Why? Because they already possess the greatest asset – vocals. R&B demands an intimate relationship with melody, tone, and rhythm, and when those skills are applied to rock or rap, the results can be spectacular. Colde is living proof. His ability to move between R&B, hard-hitting rock, and hip-hop is simply exceptional. 

If there was any doubt about Colde’s ability to cross genres, his London show put it to rest. He’s not only an R&B singer, he’s a rock star, a rapper, and, above all, an artist who refuses to be limited. Watching him live was a great experience.

Rating:

Written by Maggie Gogler

Featured image courtesy of Wavy & Colde

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to film, music, and the arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. While we already offer rich content to our readers, we aim to expand our reach and grow alongside our audience by exploring Asian music in greater depth. At the same time, we remain committed to present the vibrant and ever-evolving global landscape of film, music, and the arts, celebrating the immense talent and creativity that shape these industries worldwide.}