Half-spilled cans of Modelo littered the floor as security escorted a group of girls out who had indulged too much at the Monday night show for Korean American rapper/singer Audrey Nuna at the Echo. This moment was significant as it marked her first solo performance in Los Angeles in three years.
While the crowd hadn’t been moshing, the energy in the room was electrifying. Everyone had danced to the lively DJ set and the performance by opener Abbiana. Feet never stopped moving as cheers filled the room for her songs “My Mind” and “Do Bout It,” getting the audience hyped up just before Audrey Nuna took the stage.
When Nuna appeared, she elevated the energy even further. The stage was her playground, and the performance was her portal to an alternative dimension where she could express herself, let go, and sweat a little in a few places we didn’t need to know about.
Her set had featured just under 18 songs. While high-energy tracks like “Me & My Baby,” “Dance Dance Dance,” and “Ca$h” dominated the setlist, she had taken moments to spotlight not only her own growth but also the many producers, writers, musicians, and composers who helped create her new album, TRENCH. She connected candidly with the crowd, sharing that experience felt euphoric after years of reflection on her personal life and the world around her.
Nuna was more than just catchy raps and bass-heavy beats. “Mine,” her lively Jersey Club interpretation of Brandy & Monica’s “The Boy Is Mine,” had become an undeniable crowd favorite. She expressed her hope to perform in New Jersey again, showcasing her roots as a Jersey girl. Beneath the synthesizers and vocal distortion, her sweet voice shone through, revealing impressive vocal skills that I hoped to hear more of. One of my favorite standout moments was her stripped-back performance of “Baby Blues.”
Throughout the night, her upbeat lyrics had felt like affirmations, floating through the air and enveloping the crowd. I could tell that many of these songs contained words that people needed to hear when they looked in the mirror. Let’s hope we won’t have to wait another three years for her next solo performance in LA.
Photos & Words by Asha Moné
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