The weekend goods...

by SCOTT C

This is going to be one busy weekend for those of you with the time, energy and cash to go all the way, with several things happening on Friday and Saturday night. This Friday, as promised, the second incarnation of Hip Hop Karaoke gets underway at Cagibi (formerly Esperanza). If you ever gave yourself a pat on the back for knowing every last word of Black Moon’s “How Many MCs” then you need to let all of Montreal know that you’ve got skills. Like a super fun trip down memory lane, HHK allows you to revisit a master list of classic and golden age hip hop, and then show and prove live on stage. Hosted by heads More or Les, Tashish and Moonstarr, doors are at 9:30 p.m. and $5 gets you in. Oh, and the two rules of HHK are no use of the ‘N’ word (no exceptions), and absolutely no freestyling. I think that’s fair. By the way, the ‘N’ word is not nicotine. Check out the list of songs at http://tinyurl.com/yujlqq.

Also on Friday night over at O Patro Vys, Winnipeg’s Grand Analog touch down for the night. With a sound described as rap ’n’ roll, dub and soul, they’ll share the stage with local MC and microphone firecracker Kizzy.

Around the corner, Nomadic Massive launch their new video for “Sad But True” at Club Lambi with a performance and party after the screening. Doors are at 10 p.m. As if that weren’t enough, check out the Friday night house party at Tapis Rouge featuring the deep soulful house sounds of DJ Miles Moore. $5 is all you need to get down.

On to Saturday, Feb. 23, when Planet Funk sets off a chain reaction of happenings with a full night of funk, soul and hip hop at Saints Showbar (30 Ste-Catherine W). With music from Fredy V, Manchilde, Tony Ezzy, Preach Ankobia, Kweku and the Movement feat. Mr. Konz, and backed by the Kalmunity Vibes Collective, things could get nice. DJs Sarcastic, Conn Shawnery and M’Leah are also on the bill. Tix are $12 and doors are at 10 p.m.

Omnikrom and Teki Latex from TTC aim to misbehave with some help from the Payz Play DJs at le National for their Saturday night do. If you don’t have your tickets for this one, bad news: it’s sold out. But Omnikrom fans can “Danse la Poutine” on March 8, when they return to le National.

Oh, and hip hop icon Fat Joe, aka Joey Crack, is set to play at Fuzzy Brossard this Saturday, Feb. 23 as well, hitting the suburbs as part of his Club Tour. Get that suburbs money, Joe! No mention of the tax on the flyer, but I did get an e-mail coupon for $5 off before 11:30 p.m. $5 off what, I don’t know, but thanks guys.

Lastly, don’t miss the launch party for Nomadic Massive MC Vox Sambou’s new solo joint, Lakay, on Friday, Feb. 29 at the MAI (Montréal, arts interculturels). Check for that when it drops Feb. 28.

MY FINGERS ARE INDEED CROSSED... fathead@videotron.ca