By Daniel Paiz

Marquis Theater in Denver is a bit off of my normal beaten path for Denver concert venues, but tonight’s show likely changed that. Rapsody, Sa-Roc and Heather Victoria exemplified the aptly titled “A Black Woman Created This” Tour stop in Denver, owning the venue and delivering a captivated audience to their sonic hopes and dreams. Here’s how things unfolded.

Nearly setting the stage ablaze

Heather Victoria is a singer you have likely heard of and just didn’t realize it yet. She’s worked with a lot of rappers and other R&B artists, and her work tonight makes me wonder why she isn’t bigger. Performing a mix of fresher cuts from her newest album “Boutique Hotel” with some deeper joints, Victoria set the bar high. This set the stage for another very underrated and undervalued artist.

Sa-Roc is differently similar and fits this Rapsody tour perfectly; she’s a lyrical assassin with her own style, one that compliments the headliner’s own unique delivery. Sa-Roc pulls you in with her verses and doesn’t let go. It’s wild that in 2020 women on the mic are stupidly relegated to their own category; it has to be because of emcees like this, that male rappers in the game are unable to keep up. Roc’s energy and ability to connect with the crowd had fans jumping up and down by the end of her set.

With two dope performances hyping up the crowd, the stage was a tinderbox of energy set for tonight’s headliner.

“Oooooweeee!”

This is my third time seeing Rapsody, and one that I’ve been waiting on since I became a fan. I always knew Rapsody could and should have her own headlining tour, and tonight proved that belief right. Rapsody delivered joints from her underrated “Eve” album and also worked in some older tracks that fit right in.

The storytelling in verses from songs like “Nina” and “Ibtihaj” is dedicated to important Black women who are her role models. Raps is on a mission and everyone listening is aboard her lyrical journey. Her wordplay is also cleverly fun, and had the crowd swaying to and fro. Moving the crowd is a very important part of being an emcee; Rapsody is well aware of said importance.

The Jamla and Roc Nation artist put to rest every lingering criticism that might still exist in this artist’s decade plus career. At this point, there really isn’t a debate left as to why one wouldn’t consider Rapsody as one of the best of the 2010s. I’ll wait for your unsuccessful attempt, though.

Tonight was something I’d been looking forward to for quite awhile. Let’s hope enough people have come to their senses when it comes to recognizing the talent that is North Carolina’s own Rapsody (and Sa-Roc and Heather Victoria, as well). Like Rapsody said during one of her half dozen insightful spontaneous monologues:

“Sometimes you’re supposed to give your vision to the world.”