4batz @ the Echo Lounge & Music Hall, Dallas, TX

Words and photos by Scott Rowe

You've had quite the year, Neko Bennett. Oh, his given name is Neko but you may know him as 4batz. Born and raised in the D-ef-dub, 4batz has lived a lifetime in the past year that most artists would ever dream of in a career. Social media has given 4batz a platform that has propelled him into superstardom before he released an actual release, more less an album. But that's music these days. Here today, gone tomorrow, or here today, collaborating with some of the biggest names in the game before you hit 21. While his ascension has been well-documented, the youngster from Dallas brought his tour back to where it started, performing his first legit gig in the Big D before a sold out crowd at the Echo Lounge & Music Lounge.

Much of 4batz's set is pulled from his lone release, the EP U Made Me a St4r, a release that focuses on the relationship of his former partner, Jada, from whom the tour's namesake comes from, the Thank u, Jada Tour. The show itself is pretty straight forward, 4batz performing alongside a couple of women throughtout the set, moving from center stage to a couch and/or bed, while the other female performer is dancing or sliding down the stage's pole. The sound of the performance is pretty on brand to the album's production, and 4batz himself does service these tracks with his own vocals, though the backing tracks do some heavy lifting from time to time. It's not a flaw, but I'd wish the tracks were pulled back so we could focus on 4batz's pure vocals and not those from his recorded sessions.

But this show wouldn't be a homecoming without visits from a couple of his local brethren, specifically in the form of Yella Beezy and BigXThaPlug. The show itself was fairly entertaining, when 4batz was performing his songs, but there were some definite slow parts with exhausted 'performances' with fans and their willingness to be onstage for money, which 4batz was more than happy to showcase. Like I saw with any artist that's moving into the live arena, there are a couple of things I'd like to see from him moving forward (in his live performances): live band. Live percussion at the very least can elevate a live set to the next level. Stop with some of the hokey Look at all of the money I have now stuff. It's fun to a point and then it becomes a bit of a show stopper, and you'll lose the part of the crowd who is there specifically for your songs, not so much for the persona. I enjoy his EP and I honestly cannot wait for more of his music, and while I enjoyed the show, I really want to see some growth in this live show.

Photos of the show are below:

enjoy.