The stage was set, the lights were dimmed, and the mics stood tall waiting to be blessed by a procession of passionate performers. As the crowd slowly got its drink on, amateur rappers stepped up to the plate and handled the stage like pros. The soulful instrumental of Killer Bees settled into the eardrums of the diverse group of onlookers and it was cult-like the way “I bomb atomically, Socrates philosophies and hypotheses…” was chanted out in unison. Busta Rhymes and Biggie pieces proceeded to play out in orderly fashion and Big Poppa had ladies and gentlemen up out of comfortable couches and rolling in good music and positive vibes.

The glorification of words inherent in hip hop makes it an obvious platform for karaoke and the hosts squeezed every ounce of good-natured fun out of blending the two elements. Each new act was ushered in with smooth transitions. Tidal waves of excitement rippled throughout the venue as, one by one, men and women got on the mic and rocked the audience with surprising raw talent. They came to entertain and most did it paperless, with rhymes surely ingrained in their membranes.

Fully equipped with an energetic hypeman and an ever-supportive audience, Hip Hop Karaoke succeeded in hurling its attendees back into the ‘90s with true-school tunes that induced nothing less than nostalgia. It first provided a haven for hip hop lovers in the Knitting Factory back in 2004. Five years later, it still continues to  breathe life into the genre through the laid-back atmosphere of Southpaw. And it even promises future events. The idea of spending a Friday night out on the town rapping

along to all time favorites has never come to fruition more fluidly. Who knew  karaoke could be so fun?

-Shirline Chowdhury