KingTrey & Frsh Waters Are Ready for the Friday Night Lights

Photography by Alexander Jibaja. Design by Jada Milazzo.

KingTrey and Frsh Waters find themselves at different points in their careers, but the momentum surrounding each artist feels remarkably alike. After years of grind and grit, both emcees stand on the precipice of a significant leap forward and are ready to claim it.

For any artist looking to make a statement like that in Chicago, headlining Lincoln Hall —a venue steeped in historic performances—offers an unparalleled opportunity. 

It's precisely where Trey and Frsh will share top billing on Friday, May 22nd.

As a relative newcomer, Trey already boasts an extensive catalog and impressive streaming numbers. On the other hand, Frsh has solidified his status as a local legend through Chicago’s open mic circuit and as a founding member of Pivot Gang despite his highly-anticipated solo album still in the works. What unites them is their deep-rooted passion for the craft of rapping and an unwavering drive to make their next move their best move.

As Trey prepares to release a recently announced collaborative album with Mick Jenkins, Frsh is refining his magnum opus, which is slated to drop this year. The stage is set for their forthcoming show —which is presented by These Days—to mark a decisive chapter in their careers.

The magnitude of the show and its potential significance are not lost on either of them.“I’ve seen Chance do Lincoln Hall, I’ve seen Saba do Lincoln Hall, I’ve seen Kehlani do Lincoln Hall. I’ve seen a lot of people headline Lincoln Hall on their way up.” Trey reflects. “I didn’t go see all these shows in person, but I’ve always loved music and studied it. I was a kid watching Chance perform at Lincoln on Youtube. It feels like it’s my turn to be in that space and be on the way. Legendary spot forsure.”

For Frsh, his own introspection also brings to mind what this milestone meant for his friends and the potential it holds for him. “I have a memory of Noname performing and just sitting in awe like, “Damn, we’ve come so far. I can’t wait to take it further. See y’all May 22nd.”