by SCOTT C

All right, stop what you're doin', 'cause I'm about to ruin the image and the style that you're used to. In terms of shows rolling through the city, Montreal's got more meat on the grill than a bacon-burger-dog cookout, and I'm about to try and run it all down for you. If you didn't already know, France's kings of hip hop strangeness TTC hit the Zone Labatt Bleue stage at les Francofolies at 10 p.m. tonight, Thursday, July 28, while locals Atach Tatuq do their thing at Le Monde Hip Hop Solo Mobile stage at 7 p.m., and again at 9 p.m., on Monday, Aug. 1. All three of these shows are free as a bird!

This Saturday, July 30, make a move down to NDG for the Hip Hop You Don't Stop Festival, which boasts performances from one of my top five MCs, Masta Ace, as well as Wordsworth and Saukrates from Toronto. It's funny, but I think Ace and Wordsworth have performed in Montreal a few more times than Big Sox, but we ain't mad at him. I have to mention once again that all of this is free! So just show up, and things will be dope. Also on the bill are Abra, Atach Tatuq, DJ Who-See and the big freestyle competition that will hopefully pull some talent out of the crowd - I know you're out there. It all happens at Kent Park, at the corner of Cote-des-neiges and Kent. You can't miss it. Check out www.hiphopyoudontstop.ca if you need to read the fine print.

See if you can keep up with me for the quick skinny on Under Pressure's 10th anniversary lineup this year. First there's A-Trak and Skratch Bastid at Foufounes Électriques on Aug. 10, then there's queen bee Bahamadia all the way from Philly, performing with Toronto's Tara Chase, Eternia and our own Killa Jewel on Friday, Aug. 12, also at Foufs, followed by J-Live and Roc Raida on Saturday, Aug. 13, at the SAT, and what could be the crowning achievement of this year's festivities, DJ Kool Herc, the living legend, making his first trip to Canada and playing outdoors behind Foufs on Sunday, Aug. 14 - for free! Ya better tell somebody! More on this later, but check out www.underpressure.ca for all of this info plus a whole lot more. After 10 years running, Montreal's international graffiti convention is showing that they've still got it.

You probably don't need me to tell you about Summer Sizzle on Saturday, Aug. 13, but for the record, Ciara, Remy Ma, Massari and Loon, DJ Enuff from Hot97 New York and Mad Lynx from BET are gonna try their best to make Montreal look like some of the MTV/BET beach-party blowouts that you've seen on TV over the years. This shit is an all-day affair with pool, food, comedians, karaoke and more. They're billing this as an all-ages event, but if Ciara's up there shaking all her good bits, you might want to cover the little one's eyes. I'll be watching. Check out www.summersizzle.ca for all your driving directions and ticket prices.

BOOGALOO!!! fathead@videotron.ca

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