Last Friday, shortly after 8:00 p.m., more people were still at the Howard Theater’s main bar than on the dancefloor. But just because people weren’t on the dancefloor didn’t mean they weren’t getting into the groove. Spotted in the balcony seats and in the dimly lit booths, plenty of bobbing heads, waving arms, and even a few better fans started rapping along to kick off a night of rhymes that was distinct from the hip-hop we hear getting radio-play.

Enter NaVon Smith. That’s when the floor filled up. This D.C.-native took the stage with spit-fire energy, ready to “inspire the world.” Who else can rhyme medulla oblongata with avocada, and next literally take his audiences breathe away (yes, that was an audible gasp we heard) when he started freestyling between songs.

A lot of his rhymes were built around the struggles with self-identity and family issues, but each time these challenges were no match for the fuel of his perseverance and motivation to work toward a much bigger goal.

“You can make it rain, n***a, or you can make a change, n***a,” he repeated.

Other songs included themes around loss of innocence at too early of an age, and making adult decisions to survive and change the trajectory of his life.

“You gotta shut them down just to get some closure,” NaVon rapped.

Cheering and clapping followed many of his verses, a clear collective agreement to the heartbreaks and victories he described.

The say and repeat of “When I say hip-hop, you say ‘livs’!” bounced around Howard Theater, welcoming the main act, EPMD, to the stage.

Asking the audience to put one hand in the hair if they liked hip-hop, the duo reminded the crowd, “Don’t take it for granted, because you all see the state of hip-hop right now. It’s like fast food.”

Using the metaphor to compare today’s hip-hop music to McDonald’s, making their kids “dumber”, they knew how to strike a chord of understanding right from the beginning.

EPMD was celebrating the 25th anniversary of their legendary album “Unfinished Business” on the coveted Def Jam Records– whose artists sounds came to define 90s hip-hop. They showed the crowd that they still have that same energy and talent as they did in their younger years. Making a point to show off their tenure in the industry, stating that they’re “80s babies, way before T.I.” They continued to make statements about the current state of hip-hop, including the reminder, “You aren’t at a hip-hop concert if there’s no DJ.”

The duo has always been known for “dissing sucker MCs,” according to the Howard Theater’s promos, and pairing with superstars like Redman. EPMD never let the crowd down and kept the Howard Theater bumping through their energy packed hour set.

It certainly wasn’t lip-service when they ended their show with a hearty send-off, sharing that the night really was one of their best shows, and the best crowds in D.C.

Truly, hip-hop livs.

article by Cristina Rayas and Matt Shlonsky, photos by Toby Mues