Yamê Gifts “Elowi” Performances to Brooklyn at the Music Hall of Williamsburg
It was a bustling Friday as eager fans stood in line waiting to enter the Music Hall of Williamsburg for the “ELOWI” Tour. Drawing a diverse crowd of fans, French-Cameroonian singer and rapper Yamê’s show was certainly the place to be. As fans slowly piled into the intimate venue, one could only wonder what kinds of charms and performances were in store for them. Yamê is a 31-year-old singer who can’t be held back by the bounds of genre. Switching between slick sounds of R&B to more upbeat jazz soundscapes, he proved that he is an artist that should be on everyone’s radar.
To The World: Yamê
Though Yamê is still early in his journey as an artist (with two albums under his belt), he still manages to hold the attention of audiences as if he’s had decades in the game. Making his debut with his first album Agent 237, he’s since found meteoric success globally. Of course, we can’t talk about Yamê without mentioning his evocative performance of his 2023 track “Bécane” on A COLORS SHOW. Standing at an impressive 74 million views to date, he has transcended language barriers and has gained the attention of global audiences. Both in language and soundscapes, Yamê pulls from the Black American exports like jazz music, R&B and Drill, to Cameroon’s Makossa. A perfect marriage of genres, Yamé skates through with ease.
Bringing “ELOWI” to New York
For those who have yet to attend a Yamê show, it can be best described as a party with someone who treats the crowd like friends. For this tour, Yamê delivered live performances of songs from his 2023 album ELOWI, an eclectic body of work displaying the best elements of his music. The record meshes a wealth of soundscapes with minimal instrumental production while Yamê’s vocal performances do the heavy lifting. The night felt much like a rollercoaster of soaring highs and emotional lows as Yamê performed each of his songs, carrying a different vibe with each minute that had passed.
It was clear that the crowd was engaged, singing every word to his infectious music. Carrying a unique vocal tone as he crooned over passionate jazz beats, one could find themselves swept away in all the grandeur. With a rather simple stage set up, Yamê stationed himself at the keyboard as he was joined by his drummer, Dharil. The two were an impressive duo, riffing off each other as they amped up the energy through the night. Bringing Cameroon and France to New York, songs like “Quête” and, of course, Yamê’s famed “Bécane” were instantaneous standouts.
And with a triumphant close to the night, the singer was met with ferocious applause while he stepped off stage. This wasn’t the end however, given that he is set to continue his tour across nations like Canada, Germany, and England. One thing is certain though: if Yamê’s music isn’t already on your playlist, then it needs to be.
Want to read more about artists making waves in the industry this Black Music Month? Read our recap of five artists bringing new colors to COLORSXSTUDIOS here!
