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On Monday April 15 veteran The LOX/D-Block rapper Styles P celebrated the release of his sixth solo album Float. Beginning at 8 PM, Styles rocked the mic to a packed crowd at B.B. King's Blues Club and Grill in the heart of New York City. As the crowd filtered into the venue, Styles partook in his backstage “rituals,” stopping to reflect that, “This is a young man’s game...but I’m a staple in the game."

After a ceremonious late start to the show, Styles' DJ and producer on Float Scram Jones hyped up the crowd by giving a sonic lesson in hip-hop history. It was a night for vintage hip-hop jams, as Scram played classic cuts from The LOX, Nas, A Tribe Called Quest and others. Quelling the crowd’s suspense, Scram and his accompanying hype man collectively reminisced with the crowd about the hip-hop video program The Box, vintage fashion, and classic NY concerts.

After long, surprise guest and fellow NYC veteran N.O.R.E. piqued the crowd's appetite, reminding fans of the “real hip-hop” the came out to support. The crowd joined in alongside the Queens native rapping to his best-known hits like "Superthug" and "Grimey." P.A.P.I. lined a surprise of his own, introducing his recent reunited rap partner Capone to the stage, even alluding to the absence of the rapper due to his jail time. The rap duo’s love was felt by the masses, as they dapped up members of the crowd. It was a nostalgic feeling of long time fans, supporting artists they had loved since the beginning of their careers.

The main event finally came as the Ghost was brought to the stage. Not to be outdone by Capone-N-Noreaga, S.P. The Ghost brought out his D-Block brethren Sheek Louch. The intimate crowd immediately embraced Louch as the duo worked their longtime chemistry to deliver what proved to be a great show.  Even though Styles performed a number of new tracks from his impending album Float, he also brought the people back as he ran through time-honored classics like "We Gonna’ Make It," "Good Times," and verses from Bad Boy-released mega hit "It’s All About the Benjamin's." Styles was unafraid to be comfortable with the crowd, even going off the top with an impromptu rant before Louch pulled him back.

Styles P delivered exactly the kind of show exactly ione would expect from a veteran of his stature. It was a night for stripped-down, grimy New York hip-hop from a group of skilled MCs who managed to pull in an audience amongst a new wave in the genre. Written by Don Garvin (@Cassius_Jordan)

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