BM Brings the Sexy and the Ratchet to New York City

Photos by Jean Libert

It was a hot day, on many levels, with sweat beading on fans as they stood in line outside of Webster Hall in New York waiting for their chance to enter BM’s After The After Party Tour (aka ATAP Tour) concert. BM, or Big Matthew, is an artist that wears many hats. When not going solo, he’s most known as a member of the K-Pop quartet KARD, the originator of the BTG (Big Tiddie Gang), and as an artist that is not afraid of pushing the boundaries within the somewhat conservative confines of K-Pop. With this tour, he did exactly that. The established idol managed to do what no idol has yet to do stateside: create a twenty-one plus tour without phones (they were ziptied). This broke boundaries that allowed the artist to sing, dance, rap, and grind his way into the hearts of every individual regardless of gender that night.

The show began with two opening acts to help warm up the crowd. CLUB BOYBND did exactly that. The Korean-Canadian duo made up of JUSTIN TRASH and Roc Lee burst onto stage with high energy, pumping up the crowd. Running back and forth across, as well as off-stage, the duo was set to engage with as many fans as possible. Performing a roster of songs that included “confessions,” “like this,” “hmu,” and the well known “kiss me thru the phone,” it was impossible not to get into the vibe.

With sunkis, the Taiwanese-American singer and songwriter who opened for all ATAP, the room would heat up further. With an engaging smile, a voice that melts you, as well as a physique that makes you wonder if he’s been invited into BTG circles, the artist drew the room under his spell. Songs such as “trust me,” “Like I Do” by J.Taylor (with sunkis), “VOICEMAIL,” and “Top Tier” showed off the wide range of his magnetic voice. Ending with “LAST GOODBYE,” the set, though still hot, was only an appetizer for what was yet to come. 

As there were no phones or recordings at this show, you could already tell that the vibe was on another level. The energy was high already as staff passed water around to hydrate the crowd. When the man of the hour made an appearance, screams reverberated throughout the hall. The moment had finally come. Though dressed in the same patent black jacket, black tank top and ripped jeans I had seen moments earlier during our interview, the vibe had changed. BM was in performance mode, in shades, and ready to give everyone what they were expecting, a night to remember.

Starting with a recent release “Lowkey,” you could hear everyone singing on the floor over the voice of BM. With both hands free, arms pumped to the grooves of the song. As BM asked everyone to scream “ATAP,” the echoes could be heard clear across the venue. ATAP had officially begun and it was time to party! 

Pulling from his recent Element album, the sexy huskiness of his voice melted into the vocals of “Embers.” You could hear screams of “Embers” at every chorus. It would be surprising to see if any voices from the floor would last the night with the blood curdling screams that emerged with the beginning chords of “Nectar.” The sexuality of the song itself can’t be argued, as well as the hypnotic repetitive pull of the chorus. But having a room belting out “Give me one taste of your nectar” alongside with BM was an experience for the ears.

With the heat rising, BM finally let the jacket go as barking filled the air. He wasn’t the only one feeling the heat as he took a moment to chat with the floor. “I’m so excited” he stated, noting that New York tends to be one of the wildest shows on tour. With ears already ringing, “Hell, yeah!” he jumped into “ATAP (After The After Party),” the anthem for this tour. The lyrics “The end of the night, she wants my body,” seemed like a prophecy about to be fulfilled. The uninhibited, sexy words that escaped from his lips, as he teased and moved across the floor, were truly the uninhibited, ratcheted vibes he was going for. It was crazy to think that things were going to get hotter, but it would, as BM wouldn't let promises go unfulfilled.

With the special portion of the show, BM showed what a tease he could be for a lucky fan that night. From a romantic serenade holding hands and locking eyes, he soon moved deeper. One woman from Brooklyn got the experience of a lifetime with a personal lap dance from the master of play himself. At one point he even put the edge of his shirt into his mouth as he moved his bare abs and hips against her to the screams that erupted from the room. He wanted to create a place that allowed him to embrace his maturity and sexuality where mature fans could do the same. There was no doubt that he succeeded. 

Before continuing with fan play, he requested, “just for two songs, I need you to sing.” Going into “LIE” and “Broken Me,” he had the floor follow his request. Whether a chance to tone it down or to remind everyone that it was a concert after all, those there were under his command as everyone sang along. “This one is an unreleased one.” Singing as his husky voice jumps into the R&B warm vibes as a video of palm trees against the water moves behind him.  Playing to the crowd the screaming rhythmic “heys” pulsated throughout the room.

Giving the low down on the songs sung, BM asked, “are you ready to shake some ass today?” BM’s “Shake some ass” music started with “Loyalty.”  Keeping the rhythm flowing he continued with “Badgirl Badboy (Feat. SOMIN of KARD).” The moves were effortlessly smooth as he migrated from grinding standing, on the floor, jumping up trying to engage with everyone within eye distance leveling up the insanity. As the screams of “Take it off” began, it was clear that the intensity that he was striving for was being received on the other end. Though teasing with a flip of his shirt and some ab rolls, it wasn’t time yet for more than that. It was time to play instead again.

Letting everyone know that this part was called "put that ass in motion,” he brought up the next surprise of three lovely fans ready to twerk for him. Moving to “Salt Shaker” by Ying Yang Twins, Lil Jon and the East Side Boyz, the three brave souls all did an amazing job bringing their full energy to the show. Frankly, I would’ve been freaked out if chosen. In the end there was one with undeniable amazing natural skills that would take home a BTG original signed shirt and silver bracelet. 

“We’re going to see how much you know BM,” was shouted into the air as “ICKY” by KARD began. “This next one went stupid viral, I said a lot of unhinged shit” announced BM as he began “RSVP - Remix” by KOALA, Jay Park, CHIO CHICANO, BM and IIIBOI. With everyone yelling “RSVP,” the party was still clearly on. Asking, “if I come back to NY, who's going to RSVP here?” was almost redundant as there wasn’t a soul that wouldn’t want to RSVP another round.

With the words, “Thank you guys from the bottom of my heart. Tonight is your night as much as mine.” BM sincere gratitude for those present played against the fans yelling “Take it off.” Well, as it was as much a night for those there, he wasn’t immune to the requests and with “Body Movin,” the shirt came off as he took a swig of water and sprayed himself down. 

Showing just who was the leader of BTG, with power and sexiness, he wore his skin with a confidence that elevated blood pressures in the room. Spraying bottles into the heated crowd might have given a second of relief from the heat, but doubtful that internal temperatures cooled considering the heat from the stage. “13IVI” still had everyone jumping. The room was a club and BM owned it. 

Thanking the room again he yelled out, “Say my name!” as echoes of “BM” filled the hall. With an elegant bow that contrasted with the pumping moves minutes prior, he made his exit to screams of fans wanting more.

Chants of “BM” continued to fill the room, offset only by phases of barking. Of course he had to show up. Returning with the repeat of one of his current faves “Badgirl Badboy (Feat. SOMIN of KARD).” Wearing his tour shirt, he showed that he was not yet ready for goodbye. The night would end with “Motion.” With the lyrics, “BM got a stick, baby, like to call it magic,” he sprayed the floor with a bottle of water and a straw from his crotch making sure that the show ended as unhinged as it started.

With that the show part was over, as the club part began for those who planned to party after the after party. Though content wise, except for the innuendos and language, there wasn’t much that crossed any line, but the play on innuendo and the freedom to be able to express oneself like an adult was something not yet done within domestic K-Pop concert circles. More than twenty one plus, the pleasure of having a show without any obligation for recording or cameras, where everyone could truly be in the moment, was a brilliant move. It was refreshing to be in a show where explicit language was a given but where there was the security of knowing that apart from these words and images, that visually most of what happened at BM’s ATAP New York, stays with BM’s ATAP New York. 

Thank you to BM, DSP Media, and Konnect’d Entertainment for having us cover this show!