Turning back forward, her face crumples into a stupefied sob, the significance of his approval immediate and overwhelming, as the proud, supportive arm of her companion embraces her. She raises her hand to her heart, an instinctive gesture of appreciation for his kind words and endorsement, and with that, he resumes his departure. “You’re great,” he tells her, leaning in to further offer a more private compliment. He stops and, to the horror of his hulking escort, clasps Jessie Reyez’ hand. But here, literally stopping him in his tracks, is the star that he saw shine brightest, whose total lack of pageantry ensured his full attention - and that of everyone else in the arena - was focused squarely on her voice. The legendary Aerosmith frontman has spent the evening at MTV’s 2018 Video Music Awards (his band will later close the show, performing a surprising collaboration with Post Malone), where a bewildering barrage of next-gen luminaries including Shawn Mendes, Ariana Grande and Travis Scott will wow with their theatrical, intricately staged presentations.

Tyler knows the escape route, is focused on the back door, and has every intention of making it through the crowd unscathed, but suddenly there is a distraction - a flash of recognition - and his getaway halts. His only way out is to go through the audience, and so anxious security men, whose sole purpose is to avoid any obstructions and to expedite his retreat, flank him. There’s a clamour as Steven Tyler exits the stage of New York’s Radio City Music Hall. “I want to be as honest as possible,” she says, as much a warning as a manifesto. They call it soul for a reason, and hers is bared in full. Jessie Reyez has a big heart, and it’s writ large through the naked passions that rage in her music.

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