Live Report: Denise Chaila shuts down Longitude Festival's Main Stage with star power

It'd be impossible to overstate the dramatic nature of the ascent of Limerick hip-hop star Denise Chaila – flanked as ever by the formidably talented God Knows and MuRli – to the highest ranks of Irish hip hop superstardom.

Fresh from supporting Ed Sheeran at major stadiums across Ireland - including packed out Croke Park and Páirc Uí Chaoimh shows - and hopping on a '2Step' remix with the record-breaking Sussex singer-songwriter himself, Chaila has shown that she is ready to set fire to the Longitude Festival Main Stage on Saturday. And bring the heat she does.

Following on from Chamomile Records co-founder Monjola's energetic performance, warming up a scattered crowd with ease in a difficult early slot on Day 2, the 'Anseo' star stomps on stage wearing the kind of powerful bejewelled black outfit that would put catwoman to shame. Leather knee boots complete the ensemble, of course.

Denise Chaila at Longitude Festival 2022. Copyright: Miguel Ruiz.

"I'm not a singer, I'm a rapper," the Choice Music Prize-winning Go Bravely artist declares. "This is a rap festival, and every artist is going to shut this stage down." The audience is full of young faces and weed bucket hats, staring at their new sonic leader, ready to embark on a 45-minute jaunt.

The energy doesn't dwindle even for a moment, with God Knows adding his slick bars and hype-man skills to Chaila's raps on 'Man Like Me'.

“You ain’t ever seen a man like me / Big girl ting make a little man cry!” she spits.

An eclectic setlist ensues that's full of anthems and bangers, cherry-picked from Chaila's 2020 breakthrough EP and 2021's It's A Mixtape - including 'Return of the King', 'Energy' and 'Down'. Production maestro MuRli joins his Narolane Records co-founders, adding his flair to killer hits 'Anseo', 'Chaila' and '061'.

Denise Chaila at Longitude 2022. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

There's a rain shower halfway through Denise's set. But nothing can phase the steadily rising Irish-Zambian artist, as she shows off her undeniable talent and charismatic presence beyond her years.

The bassline on 'Anseo' has the raucous crowd throwing their bodies around, dancing to the irresistible beat of the radio hit, which featured Jafaris on a brilliantly remixed version. Constantly calling on the crowd to participate, there is no way the crowd cab ignore her dazzling energy.

Her trademark tongue-in-cheek, clever lyricism on 'Chaila' stands out a mile, while concluding banger '061' is all about platforming her culturally rich home-place and the connections she's made there - MuRli and God Knows included. It's a hype anthem for the ages, which finds Denise staying loyal and true to her roots in style.

Chaila’s slick delivery shines through, her voice exuding confidence amid rap brags and references to identity, folklore, borders and diversity. If her 3Olympia Theatre headliner in February and stadium shows were anything to go by, she is a bona fide star in the making. That much is conformed in capital letters by her regal Longitude set.

It's a tough job making sure the stage feels warm enough for megastars like Megan thee Stallion and Tyler, the Creator, but Denise Chaila and her Narolane crew know what the game is. Successfully roiling up a crowd that's waiting for the Californian and Texas-born Grammy winners is no mean feat, but the Limerick pharoah makes it look breathtakingly easy. A fiery set from a soon-to-be global artist...

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