It's been over a decade since Isaiah Rashad first won over fans with his debut cult classic Cilvia Demo. Being introduced to the world as an unknown signee to Top Dawg Entertainment, the Chattanooga rapper exceeded expectations and further cemented TDE's longtime "quality over quantity" philosophy.
The 14-track unpolished masterpiece packed with Southern, syrupy production and witty, introspective lyrics instantly gave a glimpse of the longevity and artistry we've seen Zay grow into today. With many hailing it as his magnum opus, Cilvia Demo has become a classic in its own right and a staple within TDE's discography. So naturally, anticipation has been through the roof as Isaiah is on the road celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the beloved project. Originally slated to be a short eight-stop tour on the West Coast, demand made a second leg of the tour possible, more than doubling the anniversary shows.
Since it began, the 'Cilvia Demo' tour has been a combination of being half encore and half a heartfelt thank you to fans, while being a whole damn good time.
The electricity of the crowd runs through the air before the rapper performs as labelmate Ray Vaughn acts as the tour's opener. For the first time in decades, the "Soliloquy" songwriter dedicates his setlist to playing the project front to back. Mixed in with longtime favorites like "RIP Kevin Miller" are deep cuts like "Tranquility" and "Banana". His level of fan interaction makes one of the tour's best moments possible, inviting fans onstage to rap "Modest" with him bar for bar.
All in all, the 'Cilvia Demo' is one of the most intimate and enjoyable tours that rap has had this year. As Isaiah has already mentioned his forthcoming album may see a release date this year, the tour serves as a nice reminder of how far the lyricist has come and reassurance on the musically unknown he may be going next.
For more on Isaiah Rashad: Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
For more on Ray Vaughn: Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
