Navy Blue @ The Market Hotel (06/10/2023)

Sage Elsesser (Shot by Casma)

Behind the stage is a stained floor-to-ceiling window. On the other side of the glass, you can see the tracks for Brooklyn’s J train, even catching a glimpse of it as it speeds by every 20 minutes. You could not ask for a more New York backdrop if you put a prompt into an A.I. generator. On the stage is a turntable and a mic stand, waiting for the man of the hour to step onto the stage. To his family and friends, his name is Sage Elsesser, but to everyone in attendance, he is “The Truest,” Navy Blue. On Saturday, June 10th, Navy Blue’s Ways of Knowing Tour (in support of his debut album under Def Jam Records) finally stopped at Brooklyn’s Market Hotel to put on what could be considered not just a rap concert, but a therapy session, with lyrics incomparable when put up to any who have emceed. 

Shot by Casma

With a Stone Island crewneck (most likely imported), and durag, the prince who hails on two coasts stepped onto the stage. The instrumental for the opening track off Ways of Knowing, “The Medium” playing, as he walked up, set the bar for the show that we would all bear witness. Navy does not take what he says or does in his music for granted. It is not to be taken lightly. Many of his songs put on full display, his pure and raw emotions, thoughts of depression, trauma and affliction, so it should come as no surprise that it feels tenfold in person. Between songs he commands the attention of everyone from the front row, all the way to the back, making it known what he wants, and not one person standing still. It is something you can’t help but respect due to the catharsis this 26-year-old puts on display.

Shot by Casma

At one point calling out the crowd “Stop trying to be cool!” but it does not come off as entitled or negative. It is an artist who is asking for respect for the art he is putting out that is so personal but impressive. “Nobody is rapping like me… I feel like I just rapped my ass off… I am really nice!” You could really see him coming into his own while on the stage that night. Some of the bars are on such a level you have to run them back to catch what he said. It's not him trying to be some “lyrical miracle” and it is the furthest thing from corny or preachy. It is rap to the highest degree and excellence.

Navy may not have broken into the “mainstream” yet, but those who know, know. There is a reason why two people I met at the show came all the way from Ohio to see him in his element. Some shows really stick with you in the days following and this is one of them. It was very much one I have never been a part of before. After about 4 songs he tried to get himself centered, as well as the crowd, asking for everyone to join him in 3 silent minutes of meditation. Now someone might think it's an artist expressing frustration with the people in the back and demanding attention. But it's not. You can see the emotions going and it is not easy to rap about what he is and in a moment like this. Seeing years of work pay off to play in your city after your debut album. So one can understand the reasoning. Though a few people made noise, the crowd was his and followed suit. You could feel the energy of the crowd change with those who joined in the silence, interrupted by camera shutters, car horns from traffic, and the wheels of the J train as it passed by.

He went back in the catalog performing some of my personal favorites like “Timberwolves,” “Aunt Gerry’s Fried Chicken” and “Sea Bass.” Eyes closed, and mic in hand, he never missed a beat. Performing “1491” with the crowd firing back “Fuck Christopher Columbus!” Or the chanting of “Poppin my collar,” during the infectious “Peach Cobbler.” One experience I may never forget came in the performance of the song “Pillars,” a personal and touching song for his grandparents. He set it up perfectly with a shoutout to mothers and grandmothers and called for all the lights shut off. As the song progressed, I was not alone in the crowd of people who got emotional, I have never seen that many people in a crowd for a concert genuinely cry. Not because it was depressing and upsetting, because it was like therapy, bringing up memories and being in a space where they can openly feel vulnerable. That is what Navy Blue brings in his music, sometimes it can truly be therapy through art. By the end of it, Navy himself was crying.

Shot by Casma

The ending of the show could not have been more fitting. It was another moment that will forever stay with me. The perfect send-off in the form of the incredible track “Higher Self.” Eyes closed yet again, you can’t help but appreciate the performance, raw and unfiltered. He then steps into the crowd, going about 6 or 7 rows deep of people, without faltering. No one falling over each other to get the chance to dap him up or just pat his shoulder. Instead, the sea of fans parting as he wades through, aggressively releasing bar after bar. It was nothing short of impressive and one of the best individual song performances I have ever seen.

If Navy Blue is not on your radar, you are doing yourself and your ears a disservice. If you are debating going to one of the shows he has left on the tour, you would be remiss to not attend if you’re able. That was a show I will always feel lucky to have attended. Navy is one of those artists who you can’t help but want to see succeed. The vulnerability, emotion, and truth he puts out in the open, with no sense of restriction on himself is something you have to respect.

Navy Blue is indeed the Truest.

Check out our Navy Blue playlist on Spotify and experience the art for yourself.