CupcakKe Thrills Phoenix Fans at the Nile Theater
- Mar 25
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 26
From the Beginning
CupcakKe, an American rapper known for her shockingly risqué, sexual and comedic lyrics, took the stage at The Nile Theater on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona.
Born in 1997 and raised near Chicago's Parkway Gardens, she began her career by releasing music online in 2012, later going viral in 2015 with raunchy breakout singles "Vagina" and "Deepthroat". Known for her rapid-fire flow and dedication to sex-positive themes, Cupcakke has earned massive critical acclaim for her debut mixtapes and albums, including Cum Cake in 2016 and Queen Elizabitch in 2017, often exploring themes of sexuality, gender, and personal trauma with raw vulnerability.
A Fan Favorite
The energy was electric in the air as the Nile began to fill and a line grew wrapping around the building. Approximately one thousand people packed the theater and anxiously awaited her appearance as minutes passed. Hundreds of attendees showed off their pre-planned and intricate outfits for the concert and talked amongst themselves about what songs they wanted to hear and how much they loved CupcakKe.
Two girls in line, one in a pink wig, the other in a purple one, said that they got their inspiration from CupcakKe herself. “We drew inspiration from her looks,” one said. They also explained that they had been listening to CupcakKe for several years. When they first discovered her, they said, “We were like, this is crazy, I love it! It’s freaky!”
Another pair of friends who attended the concert together, Okiwa and Adam, were also dressed up for the night. When asked what they like about CupcakKe, Okiwa said that she “likes that [CupcakKe] isn’t scared to show herself. She’s very open about who she is.”
An Icon and an Ally
CupcakKe strutted out onstage at 9:30 p.m. and opened enthusiastically with her hit song “Ballerina Coupe,” receiving shrill screams and applause from the crowd immediately and constantly throughout the night.
Although slightly controversial for her explicit lyrics and provocative stage presence, CupcakKe is widely viewed by her fans as an inspiration to embrace their sexuality as well as expressing themselves creatively. She is also a major ally to the LGBTQ+ community, promoting support and equality for them, even releasing a song called “LGBT” in 2016.
“She gives such a safe space for anyone,” said Adrian, a trans man who attended the concert. “She’s so inclusive, and I like how she doesn’t shy away from being raunchy. She’s really empowering.”
The show rumbled on late into the night with fans’ screams echoing out the back door of the venue. Notable tracks from the setlist include “CPR”, “Deepthroat”, "Squidward Nose" and “Alcoholic.” CupcakKe even brought a total of 12 fans onstage to twerk for the crowd during the songs “Spider-Man Dick” and “Little Red Riding Good.” Her iconic legacy is that of a transformative figure who demonstrates that being provocative can serve as a radical act of liberation and self-love.
CupcakKe closed her set with a banger: “One of My Bedbugs Ate My Pussy.”
Here at We Make Noise, women and gender-expansive artists are also empowered and encouraged to reach their full creative potential. Through collaborative sessions, online social platforms, and worldwide communications, the next generation of artists can harness the power of diversity and representation in the music industry.
Written by Kendall Makuta
Photos by Kendall Makuta
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