Dublin-based K.Y. only started making music professionally a year ago, as he pointed out in his set for the Hot Press Y&E series, but the drill artist delivered a memorable performance on Wednesday evening (August 18).

He opened his set with ‘Foreign,’ which he dropped in September 2020. The bone-rattling beat boomed as the rapper spat his lines with comfortable control. The energetic opener was a taster for things to come as the Irish-African artist racked up bangers like ‘Flute,’ an unreleased track and ‘iSPY’ which dropped in May.

K.Y. was dressed in all black sporting dark sunglasses in front of a moodily lit backdrop that added to the atmosphere he was creating on the mic. He brought a charming energy to the stream as he thanked the virtual audience and said, “I hope you enjoy the music.”

He played his upcoming track ‘Minuit,’ which is set for release on August 27th. The bilingual track sees K.Y. hop between English and French, which highlighted both of his cultures, he said. ‘Fundz’ followed which “always gets me hyped up,” he said. The track began with a Rick and Morty sample, and K.Y. delivered with a thumping and self-assured performance.

K.Y. is carving a name for himself in the Irish music scene and performances like this show he will be a force to be reckoned with in the coming years.

Watch part 1 of K.Y.’s performance on the Y&E series below.

 

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The Hot Press Y&E Series is supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. Watch the performances live every night on the Hot Press Instagram (@hotpressmagazine) at 7.30 pm.

And here are the other phenomenal Irish acts you can look forward to over the days ahead...

Thursday, August 19: ALI COMERFORD
After touring the world performing viola in classical ensembles for 14 years, Ali Comerford returned to her native Kilkenny during lockdown last year, to record her acclaimed debut album, Knots – featuring folk-based, classical-influenced original songs, entirely written, sung, played and produced by herself. Ali's journey in music has taken her to New York’s Carnegie Hall, London’s Royal Albert Hall and Dublin’s National Concert Hall – but after spending the last decade of her life playing other people's music, the time has come for her to step into the spotlight as a solo artist. Hot Press described Knots as "a beautifully orchestrated debut."