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The Lytics

It’s impossible not to like The Lytics (made up of B-Flat, Ashy, A-nice, Munga and DJ Lonnie Ce). The crew radiates fun and positivity and their skill at keeping the crowd crazy-hyped all night is extraordinary to watch unfold.

Clowning around while sharing verses, Munga getting loose and bouncing frenetically across the stage, the guys always look like they’re having so much that it’s hard not get swept away in the good vibes.

Moving from Lytics’ favs I’m Here, Stay Humble and Big City Sound Girl, the group rhymed its way through cuts from its 2011 LP and some new, yet-to-be-released music.

Reminiscent of laid-back early-‘90s boombap rap and the playful bravado of groups like The Pharcyde and Hieroglyphics, the crew captures the sprit of what it was like growing up on easy beats blasted through boomboxes. Everything comes back in cycles and I’m glad to hear The Lytics bringing that halycon era back to hip hop.

Rebel Yell started late at 10:45 p.m., going straight into its hard-and-fast punkster rap set. Consisting of rapper/guitarist Critical Jim, bassist Keli Martin (The Details) and rhyme-slinger/drummer El Te Gringo – who I should point out keeps pace with rhymes while drumming like a fucking madman (winning him the gold star of the night). Rebel Yell is pure Licensed to Ill-era Beastie Boys with raps about guzzling beer and partying til you puke. A small cluster of girls dancing near the stage began to swell as the show progressed with most of the room fully immersed in the jams by set’s end.

Rap shows in this city don’t have to be negative or connoted with stabbings. Things don’t always have to get out of hand every time rap is on the bill. There is positivity within the scene, I witnessed it last night.