cial viability that warrants bringing
it above ground into “legitimate”
venues that could remove the
threat of liability that understand-
ably has concerned the city and the
university for a long time.
Well, the aforementioned show
was more of a treat than a worry
as it kicked off with the multi-
racial, Latin-driven rap ‘n’ rock
band Offkey Lifestyle in a set that
must have made Curtis Mayfield
smile in music heaven. Conga
player Evelyn Da Costa’s rhythms
are so strong, the band doesn’t
bother to use a drum kit to pro-
pel its passionate rhymes and
eclectic melodies. Co-fronted by
rapper-vocalists Skip Thomas and
PJ Allen (also a human beat-box),
Offkey Lifestyle exudes fun and a
love for music. Thomas needs to
grow more comfortable on stage
while guitarist Ian McDonald and
keyboardist Ryan Rejaei solo, but
Allen is a charming pro whose
skills include impersonating a
trombone. The heartbeat and cen-
terpiece of this band is Da Costa,
however, whose rock rhythms and
Latin flourishes make Offkey Life-
style a unique treat.
Before this evening, I had seen
Secret Mountain twice before,
Offkey Lifestyle
NJ STAGE 2017 - Vol. 4 No. 3
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