CupcakKe Keeps Austin Pride Going, and the Crowd Moaning, at Sold-Out Antone’s Set
Originally posted on the Austin Chronicle’s website. Read here
Texas openers Lynn, Shirt Off Fe, and Ladi Earth upped the energy
CupcakKe (Photo by David Brendan Hall)
Concertgoers at Antone’s Nightclub Wednesday night were greeted by the sight of a large, gelatinous fleshlight, courtesy of Ashwell Sexual Health + Wellness.
Such excitement over a silicone sex toy could only come from fans of the fancifully provocative CupcakKe. Making her return to the city after headlining Austin Pride last August, the Chicago-born rapper offered an impactful, yet short, 34-minute set. The sold-out evening marked another sharp lineup from Austin promoter iLL Manner, who has also hosted Boldly James, Lil’ Keke, and Lil’ Flip at Antone’s this summer.
Combining wild sexual humor with lyricism akin to Da Brat or Lil’ Kim, CupcakKe reached viral status in 2016 with the bawdy banger “Deepthroat,” where explicit absurdity dared the listener to seriously dissect the meaning of each word, double entendre, and witty bar. Since her 2018 album Eden, the 26-year-old has gone viral repeatedly on TikTok – where her songs were being remixed and shared by millions – and focused her efforts on touring.
Lynn (Photo by David Brendan Hall)
Despite the unfortunately brief time Austinites received with CupcakKe, the talents of DJ Beastie as well as openers Lynn, Shirt Off Fe, and Ladi Earth packed the nearly three-and-a-half hour night. Up-and-coming Houston disk jockey DJ Beastie kicked off with modern rap hits like Sexyy Red’s “Skee Yee” and “Pound Town.” From behind her MacBook with a huge sticker saying “Beastie,” the Shreveport spinster pumped Louisiana bounce to bachata. Movement required, the crowd’s enthusiasm rose when an attendee with pink hair came on stage to twerk, per Beastie’s request.
Busting out just before 9pm, Killeen-based artist and self-proclaimed “bad guy” Lynn came in with her jeans, Levi’s T-shirt, and white sneakers, commanding attention. The Alabama-born rapper had something to prove, putting her own assertive spin on Southern hip-hop with singles like “Breathe” and “Who the Hell Is Lynn.” As an inflatable ball was thrown on stage, Austin’s Shirt Off Fe upped the energy by asking the crowd for a call and response for his song “Happy Days” – “this is the day that I’m having no drama.”
Shirt Off Fe (Photo by David Brendan Hall)
Fe’s producer started throwing wrapped pastries at fans, and, as his name implies, the opener’s shirt was off by the time the set wrapped.
DJ Beastie kept the crowd fed with Beyoncé’s “Cuff It” while awaiting Ladi Earth, who opened with slow-tempo trap chiller “Inner G.” The artist revealed that she is eight months pregnant, which didn’t limit her movements whatsoever. Wearing a fishnet jumper and fur boots, the spiritually sexy rapper exuded a free-flowing, fierce energy and unmatched stage presence. To close, she asked the crowd to manifest with her during her 2019 song “Grounded.”
Ladi Earth (Photo by David Brendan Hall)
A bit past her set time, CupcakKe emerged at 10:18pm to DJ Beastie playing the unforgettable “Squidward Nose.” The fan favorite, with the silly premise of comparing male genitals to the abnormally oblong nose of a SpongeBob SquarePants character, was met with vicious screams. Piccolo flutes and blaring brass add to the ridiculous lyrics: “His dick smaller than my toes/ I’d rather ride Squidward’s nose.”
CupcakKe’s pink bob and fur-hemmed dress became invisible behind large clouds of smoke – which she instructed her crew to turn off before launching into one of her first singles, “Vagina,” to crowd roars. Throughout the track, her characteristically fleshy lyrics interspersed with moans. In fact, before 2020 single “Discounts,” she asked fans to give their best moans, and they definitely tried.
CupcakKe (Photo by David Brendan Hall)
Though never one to take herself too seriously, she delivered an impeccable performance throughout. What CupcakKe lacks in couth she makes up for with a stellar pen game and the audacity to display her sexuality in full force. The night peaked with her TikTok smash “CPR,” where audience members joined in her moaning on the bridge as is tradition at all her shows.
The perfect harmony of “CPR” was disrupted with the final song “H2hoe,” bringing an abrupt end to the night. CupcakKe signed off with a final statement of female empowerment, “Pride month is every month.”
Ladi Earth (Photo by David Brendan Hall)
Shirt Off Fe (Photo by David Brendan Hall)
Lynn (Photo by David Brendan Hall)