Concert Review: Tkay Maidza Brings the Sweet Justice Tour to Minneapolis
Article by Tara Saraf / Feb 15th, Minneapolis
Photo by Milo Lee
After years of being a fan, I finally got my chance to see Australian rapper and artist Tkay Maidza in concert. Last Year Was Weird (Vol. 2) won me over in 2020 and I’ve been ready to scream the lyrics to her songs since. Her highly anticipated first show in Minneapolis, and my first concert here, met everyone’s expectations and was definitely worth the wait.
Tkay is currently on a North American tour for her new album Sweet Justice, released in November 2023, during February and March of this year. Tkay brought out Minneapolis based producer and DJ Kwey as opener at 7th St Entry. The crowd vibed with his music and remixes of songs such as SZA’s “Broken Clocks” and “Water” by Tyla.
The first song in Tkay’s set is the hard-hitting “Grasshopper,” which gets everyone locked into her performance. Maidza has been in the industry for many years now and shares that the new album marks a turning point for her in terms of mindset. She then plays “Love and Other Drugs” as well as crowd favorite “Won One.”
Photo by Tara Saraf
After a few songs, Tkay reveals that it’s her first time experiencing snow in a metropolitan city, let alone one she’s touring in. She says it’s “beautiful,” and I have to agree. Outside and inside of the venue are completely different climates, beautiful in their own ways.
I was also elated that Tkay played “Kim,” an anthem for anyone who wants to channel the power of iconic Kim’s around the world: “Know where to aim, so I'm goin' for the heads /
Yeah, I did what I said, better pay respect.” She seamlessly rapped Baby Tate’s verse too.
The topic of her opponents being all bark and no bite also comes through in another one of my favorite tracks from Tkay, “Shook,” with bars like “These mans lookin' at me all shook / Talk about it but they never gon' do it.”
One of my favorite moments of the night includes the whole crowd chanting the lyrics to “WUACV.” DJ Pia, who accompanies Tkay on stage, hypes us up and dances along.
To echo what someone said on their way out of the venue, Tkay’s confidence in her unique artistry is infectious. I suspect her audience will continue to grow here and hope she returns to Minneapolis to perform soon.
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