Peng Black Girls is the song you think when you hear the name ENNY. The South London rapper broke through in the midst of the pandemic and has been on a continuous rise ever since, as i found out when I saw her at London’s Omera earlier this week.

Recently there was a Twitter thread which stated, “Women are out-rapping and out-swagging male rappers right now, and I don’t think it’s up for debate”. The thread had 10k retweets, 27k likes, and over 1,000 replies spawning examples from all over the globe with evidence of that statement. Eitnessing someone like ENNY and her rise to her current state from freestyling on YouTube, self-releasing her debut single, and gaining the success that has followed since Peng Black Girls, It is no secret that she is a moment. 

So, of course, when the opportunity to experience this talent on stage at her headline show at Omera, I could not pass on the chance to witness this first-hand. Having seen ENNY a few times on the scene, whether it be a surprise pop-up appearance at various shows or a Wireless appearance last summer, of which I had to leave early, experiencing her at her live show was the one worth waiting for and did not disappoint at all in the slightest.

Coming on the heels of her second EP We Go Again, which came out earlier this month, the sold-out show was filled to the brim. Of course, there was an constant energy hroughout, yet also chill at the same time. It mirrored ENNY’s low-key vibes in her music in terms of laying out her bars in a way that is not so in your face yet achieves what it aims to achieve.

Bantering with the crowd, engaging with her band, tracks reloading and sharing the stage with the likes of Shae Universe, Amia Brave and even Jorja Smith, who I haven’t seen on stage for a good few years. The hour-long show felt like it could’ve continued past its curfew and even had the crowd chanting for more by the time ENNY left. 

The setlist was a moment in itself, and having only taken place a mere 2 weeks after the release of We Go Again, the crowd was off book and singing along with moments like U Should Heal, which opened the show, and Charge It which got the first reload of the night, No More Naija Men, Take it Slow with the crowd taking the verse of Loyle Carner and 2am In Central which came after a speech in which she shared her experiences of being in the industry and moments where she hoped for nights such as the one she had. Then, of course, Under Twenty-Five also got its moment with Same Old, I Want, Malibu, and Peng Black Girls, who got two reloads, an acapella moment, an appearance from Amia and, of course, the surprise that was Jorja Smith, who offered up her verse for the crowd. 

Overall, the show displayed how ENNY’s steady rise will continue and will not be restricted to a moment. After taking the stage, she made her way to the merch stall where she signed vinyl for fans, offered selfies, and general conversation with her fans, and that right there was another moment and another reason why ENNY is here to stay. 

ENNY’s EP We Go Again is out now. Follow her via @ennyintegrity

Words by Seneo Mwamba