Dom Kennedy Lights Up Houston with a Nostalgic, West Coast-Fueled Set

Dom Kennedy delivered a polished, crowd-driven performance at the House of Blues on March 24 in Houston, TX, reminding fans why his name still rings heavy in conversations about independent rap longevity. With no backing track and a stage presence sharpened by years in the game, Dom ran through classics that touched every corner of his catalog—from From the Westside With Love to Get Home Safely and beyond.

The night felt like a true meeting point between West Coast flavor and Southern hospitality. Houston pulled up deep, packing out the venue with a crowd that knew every lyric and wasn’t shy about singing them back. One standout moment came during “Still Callin,” when the audience carried TeeFLii’s hook loud enough to shake the walls. Dom returned the love, shouting out TeeFLii mid-set and feeding off the energy with ease.

But the experience didn’t start with Dom. Early on, fans were treated to a unique pre-show soundscape—an unexpected but welcome mix of Nipsey Hussle, Larry June’s Out the Trunk records, and deep cuts from Isaiah Rashad, Premo Rice, Jimmy Waters, and Zillionaire Doe. Hearing those joints through the House of Blues’ heavy-duty sound system gave them a fresh sense of weight, setting the tone for the night.

The opening acts kept the momentum alive. Brodie Fresh brought a blend of gritty vulnerability and confidence, including a live debut of his record with Dom and a Mozzy-assisted track that had been released. His set carved out a lane that was both personal and street-rooted, highlighted by bars referencing not speaking to his father in over a year.

Following Brodie, R&B artist Allyn switched up the vibe without slowing down the energy. She worked the full stage with ease and even brought out a violin, blurring genre lines with finesse. The women in the crowd especially connected with her—her BPM stayed in that smooth head-nod range, keeping people locked in rather than the conventional slower R&B sound people have grown accustomed to from the genre.

Casey Veggies followed with a set that felt like a reunion in motion. The long-standing connection between him and Dom added depth to the lineup, and Veggies came with the confidence of an artist who’s been putting in work for over a decade. He took a few requests from the crowd—most notably running “Backflip,” which got a major reaction. The chemistry between him and the crowd was instant, and the set doubled as a reminder of the legacy Dom and Casey built together during the early 2010s West Coast wave.

The transitions between sets were seamless, thanks to sharp work from multiple DJs. DJ Goofy, DJ Dione Bernard (a Houston native), and others kept things moving with creative blends, including SOB x RBE and Dom Kennedy deep cuts. Bernard even added a touch of scratch mixing, giving the evening an extra layer of texture. A special note goes to the venue’s newer amenities—House of Blues now offers cell phone charging stations, a small but meaningful upgrade for fans capturing every moment.

By the time Dom took the stage—emerging in a black version of the custom jumpsuit first spotted at Rolling Loud LA—the crowd was already at full tilt. From front to back and the rafters, the room moved as one. Songs like “After School” brought a moment of introspection, while fan favorites kept the pace high. The presence of rare and vintage OPM apparel in the crowd spoke to the loyalty of his fanbase, many of whom came dressed to represent.

Dom even brought a fan from the meet-and-greet on stage for a photo, a gesture that felt consistent with the night’s tone—one of connection, celebration, and timeless West Coast sound in the heart of Houston.