Courtesy Corey Lima. Corey Lima, a.k.a. iLLspokinn.

While other hip-hop open mics have come and gone, Freestyle Mondays has been one of the scene’s staples for over a decade. Launched in 2002 at the now defunct Sin Sin, its doors were open to any rapper who wanted to grab the mic and perform, with a live band supplying the beats. When the club closed in 2010, the party migrated to Bar 13 and then to 116 MacDougal Street, until noise complaints resulted once again in the search for a new venue. Tonight, Freestyle Mondays returns to the East Village with an inaugural 16-MC battle at Ella Lounge at 9 Avenue A.

We spoke to co-host Corey Lima, better known as iLLspokinn, about coming back to the neighborhood, the challenges of having a weekly hip-hop event in New York City and new plans to broadcast online in high definition.

How does it feel to return to the East Village where Freestyle Mondays started?

It’s kind of nostalgic to get off on the same train to hit Freestyle Mondays again. I used to live in the East Village, so I’m hoping it brings out my East Village friends who just like to walk up the stairs or down the street.

What does this move mean for the state of East Village hip-hop?

Well, we already have End of the Weak at the Pyramid, who’ve been holding it down longer than we have. But to add to an already dope vibe is a beautiful thing.

Do you think it’s become more challenging in recent years for a hip-hop night to survive in the city?

Absolutely. It seems everybody wants to move above a bar or a club, and then have community boards complain about the noise at 1 a.m. or 11:30 p.m. We had a problem with Freestyle Mondays at Sin Sin when we first got there, and that’s why we moved from their upstairs to downstairs, so this has been a problem for ten years. That’s why we’re not at 116 anymore, because there’s a community board with complaints from neighbors that MacDougal Street was too loud on a Monday night.

I don’t really think it’s a hip-hop thing, I think it’s a live music thing. It’s getting harder for the bar owners to cater to their customers. Everywhere you go there’s a bouncer telling you to take your cigarette way up the street because somebody upstairs is sleeping at 11:30 p.m.

Has there been a noticeable increase in these complaints?

Absolutely. To me, if you move into a strip club and complain that there’s naked ladies everywhere, that’s on you. Of course, there’s exceptions where somebody’s lived there for 30 years and back then it wasn’t like this. But if the area’s getting younger and people can actually benefit from the activity, it’s going to have to change. Let business be the business.

What made you decide on Ella Lounge?

I’ve had a close relationship with the owners for a long time. It started with a show five years ago, and while those owners aren’t there anymore, that relationship passed down through the managers that have been there. They’ve always treated me really good. Everybody’s cool and I love the sound. It’s my favorite intimate place to play in the city.

Will the new space bring any changes to Freestyle Mondays?

There’s two floors, and now upstairs [Freestyle Mondays’ longtime DJ] DJ Milkmoney will be spinning, so people can take a break from the madness, go upstairs and listen to music in more of an open setting.

Are there any special plans for Monday’s inaugural show to christen the new location?

Well, I recently got offered a sponsorship/partnership with LiveStream, so we’re going to be streaming the battle in hi-definition with no ads. I’m really excited about that.

Freestyle Mondays, starting Sept. 24 at Ella Lounge, 9 Avenue A. Music begins at 10 p.m., battle begins at 10:30 p.m.