ACL Review: Domo Genesis

Just as Saturday saw Compton wunderkind Kendrick Lamar conquer a rapturous multitude during his ACL Fest headlining set, early Sunday afternoon witnessed Odd Future alum Domo Genesis best the hottest day of a mercifully mild weekend by delivering a dutiful performance to several hundred devoted festivalgoers who braved the sun’s unmitigated rays.

The Inglewood, Calif., native born Dominique Cole took to the Miller Lite stage at 1:03pm, running through a rapid-fire medley of rap classics to warm up the crowd. He soon broke into “Me and My Bitch” off his collaborative mixtape with the Alchemist, his voice rendered indecipherable by soul-crushing bass.

“I always feel like a superstar when I get one of these mic stands,” he said sarcastically. “This is what pop stars get. I’m a rapper.”

Lacking the off-the-wall charisma of Odd Future leader Tyler, the Creator, Domo proved a spirited performer nonetheless, deftly rapping atop woozy, laid-back beats that complemented the cloud of weed that got denser onstage and off as the set progressed. He jogged and dabbed across the stage, demanding the audience show its spirit fingers – or, more accurately, “Twinkle your phalanges!”

The 25-year-old MC welcomed a live backing band to the stage midway through the set, transitioning from early, unpolished mixtape cuts to the more nuanced and adventurous tracks off his debut full-length, March’s Genesis.

“I never fuckin’ sing,” he told the supportive crowd earnestly. “Today, I’m finna fuckin’ sing, though.”

The foray was short-lived, as the rapper departed from the stage at 1:42pm, 18 minutes before his designated end-time. The abbreviated excursion suggests Domo hasn’t quite grown out of his role as hype man, but his metamorphosis is well underway.