Written + Photographed by Marika N. Johnson
BIRMINGHAM, AL — If you've ever wondered what it looks like when hip-hop, jazz, and unapologetic Black joy collide, Dear Silas gave Birmingham the answer—and then some.
The Mississippi-born rapper, singer, and trumpet player, brought to Bham by the FlyV Collection, pulled up to the historic Carver Theatre like a man on a mission. And he delivered. With bars that bite, trumpet solos that soar, and a stage presence that felt equal parts concert and conversation, Silas reminded everyone why he’s in a lane of his own.
From the jump, the crowd was locked in. When “I Ain’t Stressin’ Today” hit, the room transformed into a therapy session with a beat—hands in the air, voices shouting every word, stress levels dropping by the second. But just when you thought you had him figured out, Silas lifted his trumpet and took us somewhere else entirely. He hit us with his Jazzy rendition of Southern playalistic that blended like old cousins at a family cookout. It was smooth. It was bold. It was him.
Before Silas took the mic, Birmingham got a homegrown treat. The Voice finalist and local favorite D.Smooth warmed up the stage with silky vocals and an easy charm that had the crowd swaying from the first note. His set, backed by DeeHill on keys, was full of soul and Southern finesse, felt like a love letter to the city that raised him. Right after, rising Birmingham rapper Rocki stepped up with bars and and a dope three piece band. In a cropped leather jacket and denim shorts Rocki brought the looks and a gritty, confident presence to the stage, holding it down for the city’s underground hip-hop scene and proving the women of Birmingham are not to be overlooked.
What makes Dear Silas special isn’t just the music—it’s the way he moves through it. He’s vulnerable without being heavy, funny without being gimmicky, and cool without even trying. One minute he’s telling stories about overcoming anxiety, the next he’s riffing a trumpet solo like he’s been doing it since birth. Im calling him a “Black Renaissance man,” and honestly? The title fits.
The Carver Theatre, with its deep roots in jazz and Black culture, felt like the perfect match for Silas’ vibe. This wasn’t just a stop on the tour—it was a cultural moment. The crowd was diverse in age but united in energy. Aunties, college kids, hip-hop heads, and jazz lovers all vibing under one roof.
By the end of the night, it was clear: Dear Silas isn’t just making music—he’s making space. Space for joy, healing, experimentation, and truth. And in a world that often tries to box artists in, Silas is proof that when you bring your full AUTHENTIC self to the mic, magic happens.
Birmingham felt that magic. And we’ll be talking about it for a long time! It was GOOooooD. He’s a VIBE!!!
Stay tapped in with Musically Speaking for more recaps, reviews, and stories from the heart of the culture