Photos by Keila Instagram.com/society_one

Oh how sweet it is to be back! Seven years ago, Mr. Lif disappeared from the public radar. Last night the veteran rapper resurrected at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, sharp as ever. With his return he brought a brand new ten-track album called Don’t Look Down (of which he had two vinyls comfortably resting on the DJ’s table). Lif dropped carefully crafted bar after bar upon a small but heavily engaged crowd. “Tonight, I’m starting over,” said the MC. Joined by fellow OG Akrobatik and DJ Mr. Sonny James, the trio washed the house in waves of musical nostalgia and new beginnings.

There was another sweeping force at the Knitting Factory last night that deserves a mention. Before Mr. Lif took the stage, Urban Alternative band The Oxymorrons tore shit up. That’s it - that’s the best way to describe it. Screaming, head banging, and weave snatching guitar and bass shredding. Never mess with a band who knows how to mosh!