Kota the Friend & TIDAL
Partner for Flight Night NYC

Brooklyn's Kota the Friend Brings Flight Night Back to NYC with TIDAL as a Partner

TIDAL joins as presenting partner for the December 10–11 Flight Night Music + Arts Exhibition, featuring an independent artist gathering and a live hip-hop concert at SOB's in Manhattan.

NEW YORK, NY — October 29, 2026 — Brooklyn-born independent hip-hop artist and entrepreneur Kota the Friend is bringing his international Flight Night music showcase back to New York City, expanding the event into a two-day music and arts experience with TIDAL joining as presenting partner.

The Flight Night Music + Arts Exhibition takes place December 10–11, combining an intimate gathering for independent artists and creative entrepreneurs with a live concert at the legendary SOB's in Manhattan. The December 11 Flight Night concert will feature Kota the Friend headlining alongside acclaimed DJ and producer Statik Selektah, with performances by Neptune XXI, Iman Nunez and Life of Thom.

Presented through Kota's FLTBYS (Flight Boys) brand, Flight Night has grown from its New York City beginnings into an international platform showcasing independent hip-hop artists in cities including Chicago, Los Angeles, Denver, Paris, Berlin and London.

Flight Night Returns to New York City

For Kota, bringing Flight Night back to New York represents an opportunity to reconnect with independent artists and fans in the city where his music career and independent creative businesses began.

Kota’s career has been built around maintaining creative ownership and developing direct relationships with fans. Through FLTBYS, Kota has expanded beyond recording music into merchandise, live performances, creative experiences and business deals that encourage independent artists to build businesses around their work.

"We're calling it the Flight Night Music + Arts Exhibition because the artists themselves are part of the exhibition," said Kota the Friend, founder and CEO of FLTBYS. "The musicians onstage are showcasing their artistry, and Local Art Dealer IRL brings together creators, managers and partners to share ideas, experiences and resources, in real life. I want to share what worked for me, what I'm using today and how other creators can build businesses that allow them to make a living from their art."

The December 11 concert at SOB's continues Flight Night's tradition of introducing audiences to independent talent while featuring established artists who have built careers outside the traditional major-label system.

Neptune XXI, who previously performed at Flight Night in 2021, returns to the lineup alongside Iman Nunez and Life of Thom. Additional performers may be announced ahead of the concert.

TIDAL Joins as Presenting Partner

TIDAL, the music streaming and artist services platform, is joining Flight Night as presenting partner, supporting FLTBYS' efforts to connect independent artists with opportunities to build sustainable careers.

The partnership extends beyond the live concert to include participation in Local Art Dealer IRL, a December 10 gathering focused on creative ownership, artist entrepreneurship and direct-to-fan business opportunities.

Through TIDAL Upload, artists can share music directly with listeners and offer music for purchase. The platform has eliminated its platform fee on direct music sales, reflecting its broader emphasis on helping artists build stronger relationships with their audiences and generate revenue from their work.

TIDAL representatives will participate in conversations with Kota and other creative professionals about direct-to-fan technology, artist independence and opportunities for musicians to earn income through music and related creative businesses.

“We’re building tools that make it easier for artists to share their music, connect directly with listeners, and earn more from their work said Will Griggs (Tidal Business Lead). Kota embodies that independent spirit, and we’re excited to support Flight Night and Local Art Dealer IRL as spaces where artists can come together, exchange ideas, and build what’s next.”

Local Art Dealer IRL Connects Independent Artists

On Thursday, December 10, FLTBYS will host Local Art Dealer IRL (In Real Life), an invitation-based gathering bringing together independent musicians, visual artists, fashion designers, managers and creative entrepreneurs. The location will be sent to invitees 48 hours prior to the event.

The experience is designed to encourage artists to exchange ideas, develop professional relationships and explore ways to build sustainable careers through music, merchandise, live performances and other creative ventures.

Rather than a traditional industry conference or gallery exhibition, Local Art Dealer IRL will emphasize direct conversations among creators at different stages of their careers.

The gathering also represents an early step in FLTBYS' vision of developing a global community of independent artists who can collaborate, share knowledge and support one another's entrepreneurial goals.

Independent artists interested in being considered for the December 10 gathering can email [email protected] with a brief biography, links to their work and information about their interest in participating. Attendance is complimentary for selected artists, with participation subject to confirmation and limited capacity.

Flight Night NYC Concert Details

Event: Flight Night (NYC ) – Music Showcase

Concert date: Friday, December 11, 2026

Venue: SOB's, Manhattan, New York City

Headliner: Kota the Friend

Featuring: Statik Selektah, Neptune XXI, Iman Nunez and Life of Thom

Doors: 6 p.m.

Show: 7 p.m.

Age requirement: 21 and older

Get Tickets: FlightNight.com

The concert is part of the expanded two-day Flight Night experience, which begins with Local Art Dealer IRL on Thursday, December 10. For independent artists and managers who are interested in experiencing the Local Art Dealer IRL event, with Kota and Tidal, contact [email protected].

About FLTBYS

Founded by Kota the Friend, FLTBYS (Flight Boys) supports independent creators across music, fashion, visual arts and performing arts through live events, creative experiences and direct-to-fan initiatives. Its international Flight Night platform has connected independent artists and audiences across the United States and Europe.

About TIDAL

Tidal is a global, artist-first music platform offering an extensive catalog of over 180M hi-fi quality songs for streaming, as well as a suite of tools to help artists build a sustainable career in music. With Tidal Upload, artists can share their work directly with their fans for free, and sell digital downloads or physical merchandise. No subscription is required. Tidal is part of Block, Inc (NYSE: XYZ), creators of Square and Cash App. Listen and upload for free at tidal.com.

Source: FLTBYS Music + Entertainment