RIP Southpaw

CHINO RIP SOUTHPAW CHINO BYI

After ten years as one of New York's staunchest nightlife spots, Southpaw closed its doors forever on Monday evening, with people from all over the city turning out to live it up one last bittersweet time.

Frank friend DJ Synapse has been a Southpaw visitor for the greater part of a decade, so we asked him to share what it was at Southpaw's last gasp.

I've been going to Southpaw BK here and there for the past eight years or more. I know a good portion of their long-time staff (whatup Jah-C and Chino BYI!). The owner Mikey Palms (as well as the other owner Matt) is a friend of mine. I actually went to his wedding last weekend. Last night, I attended the final show that will ever be at this landmark venue. A lot of folks know Southpaw because of The Rub. The Rub is a monthly DJ party with Cosmo Baker, DJ Eleven and DJ Ayres. It's SLAMMED every month, and one of the most successful true DJ-culture parties in NYC. Countless Hip-Hop shows have gone down at Southpaw, along with tons of other types of events. To be honest, I was only there about every four or five months, but since I know the owners and staff so well, I always felt at home there. The show last night, to close out Southpaw's run, featured amazing freestyles from SADAT X, RAS KASS, GREG NICE, PHAROAHE MONCH, PUMPKINHEAD, RUSTEE JUXX and more over a bed of music provided by one of NYC's best (and most unsung) live Hip-Hop bands, DUJEUOUS. I used to do an underground rap series called Babysteps in NYC in the early 2000s, and a lot of these folks rocked at our shows. I barely ever go to rap shows these days, but this was more than just a good rap show. It was something I couldn't get anywhere but NYC, and barely anywhere else besides Southpaw. Stellar spitting over an amazing band, and great performances by Masta Ace, Craig G, The Artifacts, Jean Grae. Not to mention great DJ sets by Eclipse, Rich Medina and Stretch Armstrong. This night had just about all a DJ culture and hip-hop enthusiast could ask for. I actually got kind of emotional, on some Whitney Houston steez, as it was a reunion and a memorial at the same time. RIP Southpaw.

Mikey Roff Southpaw
Mikey Palms with DJ Premier