Powerful and poetic, the Gunpoets, a local, live hip-hop band, led listeners back to genuine, positive and motivating hip-hop on Friday at The Haunt. Their combination of spoken word and varying beats left viewers revitalized, refreshed and eager for an encore. Influenced by Nas, The Roots, Talib Kweli and various other artists, the Gunpoets’ sound, lyrics and image are noticeably unique.

 The celebration of hip-hop began shortly after 10 p.m. with a performance by local rapper Money Mars. Assisted by DJ Illmatic, who has worked with Diplomat Juelz Santana, they successfully engaged and prepared the audience for an unforgettable performance.   

Rapper Ave Mack followed with a set of his fast-paced songs the audience loved. Figures moved freely through the smoke and fading dim lights before the stage. After the Ave Mack performance, Gunpoets front man Daniel Lisbe, known as “Rising Sun,” eagerly ran on stage conducting and leading the audience in a familiar tune “Happy Birthday” directed at the opening artist.

Sophistafunk was next to take the stage. His style is similar to that of hip-hop artist Common. The rapping was fast and the sound was smooth. His lyrics were difficult to understand at first, but his flow enabled listeners to make out what he was saying, harmonizing between verses to keep the audience’s attention.

Shortly after midnight the Gunpoets began their performance. Pianist Colin Smith, drummer Zaun Marshburn, DJ Apia Awa, guitarist Eliot Rich, lead singer Lisbe and bassist Mike Smith assembled on stage.  The first voice heard was that of Colin Smith, “I need a revival / lie to me and tell me it will be okay.” Lisbe joined in, the two voices addressing the soul at once. The atmosphere of the crowd accentuated the song. Most of the audience piled around stage, jumping along to the words of the Gunpoets. “Boom Bap Classic” was performed next as bodies continued to sway with the rhythm, heads simultaneously bobbed up and down, and the Gunpoets took all who would follow on a peaceful journey into another realm of hip-hop. Lyrics lined with truth about life, love and deception spoke to the hearts and minds of many of the students and local fans who attended.

 The next few songs boosted the audience’s energy. “Check U Vitals,” an upbeat song with a funky rhythm, automatically commanded everyone’s cooperation through movement.  

“Bare Knuckle Assault” was a freestyle done by local friends and emcees of the Gunpoets. Money Mars came back on stage for “Incredible” and “Champagne Wishes.” Ave Mack and Jayhigh joined the Gunpoets for “Blood Sex Drugs Politics and Religion.” The Gunpoets’ collaboration led up to the crowd favorite “Fly Away.”  

Remarkable, with a blues, soothing rhythm and a guiding voice, listeners were encouraged to hold on despite life’s adversity, “Child you must not be detoured by the world you see / Nobody told me that this would be easy / I’ve come too far from where I started from.” The message was so powerful that even though the beat slowed down, the crowd kept dancing.

“Dream on Dreamer” and “Babylon Burn” concluded the night. The Gunpoets told the crowd their experience performing was enlightening and revitalizing. The band strung pulsating beats with personal lyrics to put on an incredible show justifying hip-hop’s importance for today’s youth.

The Gunpoets will return to Ithaca for performances at the Chapter House on March 7 and Castaways on April 18.