photo credit: Kota the Friend by Minh Nguyen
In a rare crossover moment between contemporary hip-hop and New York’s storied jazz tradition, Brooklyn’s own Kota the Friend will take the stage at the Blue Note Jazz Club for two nights on December 2 and 3, offering fans an intimate live-band experience at one of the most historic rooms in the city. Tickets are available now via Ticketweb
The performances come on the heels of Kota’s acclaimed 20-city No Rap on Sunday tour, a run that reaffirmed his status as one of today’s most consistent and uncompromising independent artists. Now, he returns home to New York City with a show that highlights an often-overlooked part of his artistry: his deep musical training and jazz roots.
A Modern Artist on a Historic Stage
For more than four decades, The Blue Note has served as a global landmark for live music, welcoming legends like Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Sarah Vaughan, Ron Carter, and Stevie Wonder, while continuing to introduce fresh talent across jazz, soul, hip-hop, funk, and R&B. For Kota, the invitation to headline the club represents far more than a prestigious booking — it’s a homecoming to the kind of musicianship that shaped him long before he built a massive independent following.
“The Blue Note has hosted some of the greatest musicians ever, so stepping onto that stage is an honor,” Kota said. “I’ve always respected the musicians who came before me, the ones who made the music that shaped my sound. To share my art in a space built on that legacy means everything.”
The Musical Foundation Behind Kota’s Sound
Long before his breakout projects Foto and Lyrics to Go gained him national attention, Kota was a trumpet player studying classical performance and jazz theory. That training shows up across his catalog — in the warm arrangements, the subtle chord progressions, and the melodic sensibility woven through even his simplest verses.
His upcoming Blue Note set will lean into those roots. Fans can expect reimagined versions of favorites such as “Colorado” and “Good Friday,” this time carried by the resonance and precision of a full live band. The venue’s intimate acoustics make it one of the few spaces where Kota’s dual identities — lyricist and musician — can meet without compromise.
A Continued Commitment to Independence
Kota’s career has unfolded almost entirely outside the traditional music industry structure. As founder of FLTBYS (Flight Boys), he has maintained ownership of his music, his message, and his community-driven approach. His recent No Rap on Sunday tour underscored just how strong that community has become, drawing fans across North America with a stripped-down, emotionally honest show.
Closing out the year on the Blue Note stage — a room that has hosted everyone from Dizzy Gillespie to Erykah Badu — is not only a full-circle moment, but a declaration of the kind of artist Kota intends to be going forward.
Event Information
Kota the Friend Live with Band
Dates: December 2–3, 2025
Location: The Blue Note Jazz Club, New York City
Tickets: https://www.ticketweb.com/event/kota-the-friend-with-live-blue-note-jazz-club-tickets/14663733
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