By Storm, the hip-hop duo consisting of rapper Nathaniel “RiTchie” Ritchie and producer Parker Corey, certainly put on a show to impress at the Cat’s Cradle Back Room. Their debut tour, accompanying the release of their debut record “My Ghosts Go Ghost” was fully sold out at the Carrboro stop on the 15th. You might be a little suprised to hear that this show was so successful, but if you’re aware of the history of this group, you wouldn’t be perturbed whatsoever.
How did By Storm acquire this fanbase?
By Storm was not always By Storm, and this duo was not always a duo. By Storm is what became of Injury Reserve, a rap trio that was founded in 2012. This trio consisted of RiTchie, Corey, and a third member, Stepa J. Groggs. Nearly every record this group released received critical acclaim, and the career trajectory was looking quite promising. This wasn’t meant to last, sadly.
While recording their sophomore studio album, Groggs passed away, aged only 32. This tragedy resulted in the subsequent 2021 album, “By The Time I Get to Phoenix”, being the last project that would be released under that moniker. In 2023, the remaining two members reunited under the new name By Storm, and after a string of singles, By Storm’s debut album “My Ghosts Go Ghost”, arrived onto the scene on January 30, 2026. Critical acclaim was lauded onto the two, just like the prior releases they were part of, setting the stage for this exciting tour. While this may be their first record as a duo, those who love alternative rap are already familiar with their names.
The night of the concert.
To be fully honest, I wasn’t even intending to attend this show. It’s not that I didn’t want to go, moreso that I wasn’t really keeping on top of upcoming concerts in the area. I just so happened to be in Raleigh the day of the show, and I just so happned to recieve a text message. Another DJ at WKNC 88.1, cashmere woods, had to give up her ticket, and I scooped it up as soon as I was aware. I am incredibly grateful for this subsidized concert opportunity due to her misfortune. Anyways, this night was one I will not be forgetting anytime soon.
I, along with a smattering of past and present WKNC DJs, made it to the show early enough to catch the opener, Lerado Khalil. While I was most excited for By Storm’s performance, I don’t want to diminish the quality of Lerado Khalil’s work. He’s much more of a cloud rapper, a genre I hold near and dear to my heart, but admittedly unlike the experimental and esoteric offerings of By Storm. I’m most familiar with his record “Dog Days”, from 2023, as well as his release with Surf Gang, “Scenic Route”, which I thought were quite solid and underappreciated.
Feel free to acknowledge my bias, but I felt that he was a great choice for an opener throughout this tour. Cloud rap is known for its melancholy undertones, and “My Ghosts Go Ghost” is very akin to that in spirit. Lerado Khalil glided effortlessly over his beats, providing a dulcet melody to accompany the dreamlike production. He did a great job in hyping up the crowd for the main act, and was an instrumental part of why this concert was excellent. I was a little sad to see him wrap up his set, but I was also excited to see what By Storm brought to the table.
By Storm’s showcase of their music was a delight in every sense of the word. The intimate, stripped-back affair that is “My Ghosts Go Ghost” was an impeccable match for the cozy venue of the Cat’s Cradle Back Room, and the synthesis of the two allowed for an experience unlike many other more mainstream concerts. The room was illuminated with just a small setup of strobe lights, which created the effect that the performers were moving on the stage in slow motion. The energy was palpable, almost sticky to the touch. Given that it was a sold-out showing, there was a slight damp warmth permeating the venue, the trademark sign of bodies packed into a room like tinned calamari. RicTchie’s eclectic delivery along with Corey’s immaculate sonics truly resonated with the audience, with many in attendance belting the verses word for word. What truly delighted me, in all honesty, was the setlist selection.
Injury Reserve, and By Storm.
While I could wax much poetic about how incredible “My Ghosts Go Ghost” is, as I have been doing throughout this blog post already, I attended the show with hopes that prior Injury Reserve selections would appear. This stems back to my initial discovery of Injury Reserve, and my emotional attachment to their body of work. I first started listening to Injury Reserve when their self-titled debut record hit the scene in 2019. The critical acclaim put it on my radar, and while I was definitely enamored with the record, it wasn’t something I returned to frequently. It was good, but there’s a lot of good music out there.
This attitude towards Injury Reserve changed with their subsequent release, “By The Time I Get to Phoenix.” The abrasive textures, heartrending deliveries, and alien stylings completely floored me. I still think that record was one of the biggest shockers to me of recent memory, leaving me flabbergasted after its 40-something minute runtime. I consider “By The Time I Get to Phoenix” essential rap for anyone looking to broaden their horizons, and that’s exactly why I wanted to hear just a bit of their prior material from that era.
When I recognized the corrupted crescendos that accompanied my favorite song from that album, “Superman That,” a moronic grin was instantaneously plastered onto my face. I would have been more than happy to hear just their current works, but this was a treat I was more than happy to take and savor. My favorite part was when RiTchie turned the microphone towards us to sing the chorus, with no instruction, just a tacit understanding that this was what we must do as dutiful audience members. I’m a real sucker for that type of crowdwork, and I relished the interaction. Another personal favorite of mine from “By The Time I Get to Phoenix,” “Knees,” was performed, and I just felt gratitude that in that specific moment I was there to experience it.
This zeal of mine shouldn’t be taken as a detriment towards their current work, which I believe is just as immaculate, but hearing those songs live felt like a long-term payoff for being a fan for over 7 years. That’s what this concert felt like to me, when it was all said and done. It was a reward for being an ardent listener, one who grew an attachment to these songs over repeat listen after repeat listen. This group is a modern gem, and I will extoll their virtues to anyone willing to tolerate my expousing.
By Storm’s show was a remarkable example of why I attend concerts. Live music can inspire and rejuvenate those who love the craft, and that’s what happened to me that night. I walked away from the venue with a newfound appreciation I didn’t even think was possible, which in turn lit a fire under me to keep on engaging with the musical art form as much as I can. In an age where the value of art is being stripped away and undermined in ways inconcievable prior, we must protect the beauty which exists, so that more genius can be birthed in its wake. This concert convinced me that if By Storm end up touring again, it would be a show I would make mandatory attendance for. Even if this type of music is out of your comfort zone, I implore you to attempt experiencing it, as maybe it’ll resonate with you just as much as me. Who knows, maybe we could both be in that same venue, dear reader. You never know.