Ninjas versus cancer

by MORGAN STEIKER

So here’s the beat you need to ride out to this week. Tonight, visual artist Zilon is producing a live series of black paintbrush drawings, accompanied by a musician and dancers, at Kerozene Gallery (372 Ste-Catherine W.). The drawings will be exhibited from June 13–27 and are a must-see, like most of his work, for all urban art enthusiasts. Friday night, you should go catch one of the very last shows at Spartan Lounge (885 Jean-Talon W.), a top spot for hip hop in the city that is unfortunately closing its doors sometime this month. There will be performances by Lil 1, K13, Soljis, Badaboom Ent, G-Funk, Big Daddy Akshun, Max Blazer, Killa Man Ranger, VIP, Scott Dunbar and Frosty. Same night, you can go get your kicks with MTL’s own funny guy Sugar Sammy at l’Olympia. Decibel Underground, the old Coda Club, will be hosting a heavy, heavy night of jungle with none other than former MTL cornerstone DJ Krinjah passing by from NYC and sharing the bill with DJs Kurart and Rotor as well as Six Feet High’s Pleckoboy.

Saturday night equals Zoobizarre, with Ninja Tune in the building (Ghostbeard, Luv and Big Tonne) as they are now pitching their Clockout monthly there, and its first edition will be a benefit for the Conquer Cancer bike ride, which will take them from here to Quebec City in two days. Who said artists are lazy? Don’t forget, on the other side of town at le Social, it’s flossin’ season at the swagged-out Sneaker Battle featuring performances by D. Atherton and Loes N’ Osa, and music by DJs Tom Wrecks, Upper Cutz and Lil’ Maddy.

As I’m writing this, I’m thinking about all the Stans I upset last week and I’m listening to a new Alchemist joint with Em on it called “Chemical Warfare” that’s really tight. So don’t be mad. Eminem can still rap, but Relapse was trash, that’s all. Bonuses: the new Malicious mixtape, Life’s Not So Sample, free for download at the Web site of the same name, and DJ Critical Hype’s Marco Polo Blends, hosted by Torae—find them online.

JAY-Z, “DEATH OF AUTO-TUNE”...DABEATSEEKER@GMAIL.COM