As the final curtain closed on Bktherula’s high-energy set in Chicago alongside PinkPantheress, the air vibrated with electric energy, pulsating with the echoes as she performed songs off her project LVL5 P2. The last time we spoke with the 21-year-old, she’d just released part one of her LVL5 story, and now, just a year later, she’s wrapped her tour opening across the country. “When I first came out, I was making traditional R&B and traditional rap records, but I fell in love with music for how it makes me feel,” she told GU last year. “It feels good because I know for a fact it is my sound.”
As we fast-forward, she has solidified her style through her music by keeping it moshpit-worthy and executing that on stage. Going from city to city, Bktherula gives her energy on stage every night, including a fun twerking session with fans. Since she opened for the tour, she knew it was crucial to leave a great impression on the new faces she’d meet at each show. “It felt amazing; I think [Chicago] was one of my best shows,” she tells GU.
Read ‘Bktherula Opens Up About Musical Freedom And Mental Health’
Photo Credits: @sleepyhispanic
In her moments of preparation, she grounds herself each night with community and prayer. “To be real, I pray a lot, but my friends around me are also so good, and they make me want to pray more every day and appreciate life more,” she tells GU.
As a Gen Z artist, she finds these moments humbling as she continues to create a name for herself and highlight a new sound that the next generation can relate to. It was only right for GU to take a peak behind the curtain to find out how a Gen Z’er on the go finds time to curate a staple beat each night for a show. During our chat, she mentioned that blush, preferably Elf Cosmetics is her main beauty grab for any show.
Throughout her get-ready process, the rapstress applies a generous layer to her cheeks to create a rosy effect for photos. Her honorable mention would have to be rosewater spray, which keeps her hydrated for moments of crowd interaction. As she hit the stage, Bktherula electrified the stage on her tour, infusing each performance with an unparalleled energy that left audiences excitedly buzzing. From the moment she stepped onto the stage, her commanding presence captivated the crowd, drawing them into her world with every beat.
Photo Credits: @sleepyhispanic
With her dynamic stage presence and infectious charisma, she effortlessly commanded the attention of everyone in the venue, creating an electric atmosphere that pulsed with energy throughout the night. Her seamless blend of raw talent and boundless energy ensured that each performance was a thrill ride from start to finish. She credits the support from her friends as her main energy source to keep her shows fun and free. “I love performing “CODE,” but tonight it was “WISHUWASDACREW” this time because my friends came out,” she says. “They wouldn’t exist without life, so I pray to God every day and thank God that I have them, and my shows become good because of that.”
Amidst the high she felt coming from the tour’s conclusion, Bktherula embraced the dawn of a new chapter as she prepared for more music after her LVL5 series. She teased glimpses of her vision with boldness, promising an immersive experience that would redefine contemporary music. As the night closes and her tour portion ends, it doesn’t end there. The next era is her new album, which is dropping soon, and her solo tour to continue the high-energy interactions with her beloved fans.
About the Author: Kenyatta Victoria is the lead writer for Essence GU, working on all things pop culture, politics, entertainment and business. Throughout her time at GU, she’s garnered devoted readers and specializes in the Zillennial point of view.