Founded by NYU senior Ani Sanyal and Boston University’s Max Schneider, Green Street has been garnering attention for their breezy 90s-era throwback influence and thoughtful lyrics.

Ani and Max, known on stage as A-Live and Renaissance, have expanded their emcee/producer duo to include emcee and videographer, Elijah Adamson, known as Soupa. Dennis Orellana, or ‘D. Snaxx’ manages the whole operation, helping to book shows and network with as many fans and industry people as possible. The guys also collaborate with new artists via Green Street Records, an independent music label they started.

Soupa describes Green Street’s sound as “sophisticated urban.” Renaissance creates the beats, using old jazz and soul samples from vinyl records and drum machines. After, they hit the studio to collaborate with singer/guitarist Ken Ross who lends his take on the melodies and instrumentation. Ross is a member of their recording label and a friend from the Boston area.

Both emcees A-Live and Soupa write their own lyrics. Says A-Live, “I am always writing lyrics, on the train, in class and I like to hear beats for certain emotions and then write verses and hooks that fit the feeling.” Topics include relationships, the virtues of good old-school hip hop and the importance of being socially conscious in an ever-changing world.

Green Street’s music borrows from the funk of jazz to East-Coast hip-hop. Nas, A Tribe Called Quest and Talib Kweli are all cited as important artists for the group. “We bring that jazz, soul sound but also keep it relevant for today’s market,” says Snaxx.

Green Street is best experienced at their live shows. They’ve currently been on tour since June and play in various venues around Boston, New York and New Hampshire, where Snaxx is enrolled at Keene State.

On stage, the guys collaborate with Springfield, Massachusetts band Malado, consisting of Josh Dodds, Gary Smith, Keith Blake, and Jules Belmont, who help bring the soul elements of Green Street’s music to life.

NYU students can usually catch ‘Green Street’ right at Webster Hall, most recently on the bill with MC and recent NYU grad, Nyle. The band has also had the opportunity to open for major label rapper Lupe Fiasco.

In the future, Green Street hopes to continue growing its sound and its audience base. “We want to get more people to see what we see in our music and get them on board,” said Snaxx. The band is currently promoting their mix tape, “Chess Moves,” which you can download for free on their website.

Upcoming material will push the scope of ‘Green Street’s’ sound. “The new joints got real diverse vibes and I think they gonna surprise people-in a good way,” says Renaissance.

The band also plans to collaborate on a clothing line with a company called Trueface.

Green Street has the drive and focus to continue sharing and expanding their music. “The best music comes from people who constantly challenge their sound, try to escape (the) box,” says Renaissance. Green Street hopes that an ever-evolving sound will be met with success. But if not, the band will continue on anyway. Says Soupa, “Essentially I’m doing what I love to do, so ya’ll can take it and make it what you want. We’ll adjust accordingly.”