Show Review : Danny Brown brings the Quaranta Tour to Denver
2023 was a massive year for Danny Brown. With the release of his 6th studio album Quaranta, a standout collab album with JPEGMAFIA in ‘Scaring The Hoes’, and continued growth of his podcast ‘The Danny Brown Show’. With so many accolades from 2023 added to his decade-plus long rap career it was easy to see how the much loved rapped and podcaster packed out Denver’s Cervantes Ballroom on an icy Sunday evening.
Danny’s arrival to Cervantes was his first performance in Denver since March 2023. Brown back on stage in the mile high city was a fresh breath to Denver’s sometimes quiet rap music scene. Brown’s performance was sharp and enthralling, his high energy stage presence projected onto the crowd. Fans jumped along screaming his lyrics, matching Brown’s energy.
Brown is nearing a year sober, and his killer performance reflects that change in his life. Chatting with the crowd between songs, Danny reflected on his last Colorado performance at Red Rocks in 2023 (prior to entering rehab) and the contrast to the night’s performance. Brown joked, “Been sober almost a year now, look at me remembering all the lyrics and shit”.
The nights deep setlist included many tracks from Quaranta, including a noteworthy performance of Y.B.P. with Bruiser Brigade’s Bruiser Wolf (opening for Danny on this tour). 6 songs from Scaring The Hoes, and a handful deep cut favorites. Each song performed with fervor that kept the crowd jumping and rapping along the whole night.
The release of Quaranta paired with his sobriety feels like a fresh chapter in Brown’s long career of non-stop solid music. Quaranta dives introspectively into Brown’s personal journey battling depression and addiction and acts as a follow up to 2011’s XXX (the breakout album marking Brown’s thirtieth year).
The title ‘Quaranta’ (Italian for forty) reflects on Danny entering his 40’s. In the chorus of the albums title track Brown reflects on being in his 40’s and still rapping, not knowing when it could all come to an end. With his performance at Cervantes, it’s almost unbelievable that Brown is 43. He flows and performs with the energy of a hungry young up and coming artist, all while being a certified veteran in the music industry.
We are happy to see Danny still tearing up the stage and doing it in a healthier, sober manner. The rap veteran is giving way to his full unhindered musical talent that has earned the Detroit native so many accolades and love from fans across the world.
The Quantra tour contuniues on through April before wrapping up in Nashville.
April 2 Bellingham, WA - Wild Buffalo
April 4 San Francisco, CA - The Regency
April 6 Los Angeles, CA - The Belasco
April 7 Santa Ana, CA - The Observatory OC
April 8 Phoenix, AZ - Nile Theater
April 9 Albuquerque, NM - El Rey Theater
April 11 Austin, TX - Empire Garage
April 13 Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
April 14 Nashville, TN - Brooklyn Bowl
Photo credit: Peter Beste
