Hip Hop Wednesday

Why not...Been listening to Biggie and Murs on Rhapsody all morning...thought I'd post about some of the upcoming hip hop shows around the city.

Tonight is the Guitar Center National Spin Off Finals at Hammerstein featuring Talib Kweli and The Roots...at first I was surprised these guys were doing a show and I hadn't heard anything about it...but it looks like they'll come out and do a song or 2, then turn the stage over to the finalists...not that that's a bad thing...since this contest is a pretty big deal, you'll be hearing some of the best unknown DJs do their thing...I may be stuck at work real late, so I might swing by afterwards cause it's right in the work hood.

Sunday afternoon, Nas is doing a free ($10 donation suggested) Summerstage set. If you're around the city, there's literally no excuse to miss this...Even if you hate rap music...this guy is just about the best living rapper around...If you were ever going to go out to see a hip hop show...this would be the one. Get there early cause its first come, first serve. Doors open at 1:30, set starts at 3:00.

I know its a bit in advance, but on August 25th, Nuclear Family (NukFam for short) is headlining a show at Mercury Lounge. I went to High School in Brooklyn with a few of these guys, and they have risen from a novelty "hey, I know those guys" act to a full fledged underground hip-hop powerhouse. DJ Snafu (Jimmy) is one of the most talented and creative DJ's I've ever heard, and the two frontmen, Baje One and Krayola (Mike and Justin) combine some of the smoothest flows around with intelligent and crafty rhymes. No joke...these guys are legit. If you've ever even bobbed your head to a rap song before, you owe it to yourself to come by and check it out. A good time to be had by all.