Glorious laborious

by DARCY MACDONALD

There’s no shortage of approaches toward trying to become the “best” at something. Even if you grew up in one of those Gretzky/Woods/Rochette-type households, where your people made sure you were doing your thing by 4 a.m. daily and whatnot, it seems you’ll still just end up crying at press conferences for your troubles. Work, no matter what else it may be, is always effort. If evidence of it lacks, no one will call bullshit on you faster than a rap fan. I hope that the Top 10 in the BOM’s hip hop category accurately reflects not those who tried to be the best, but rather those who worked for it.

Kalmunity and Nomadic Massive are crews that grind tirelessly to make their mark, proving dear to the ears of the city in the Mirror’s annual Best of Montreal (the latter taking top hip hop spot the last two years straight, and this year again). This Friday, May 14, finds both bands literally mashed together on a single stage at MAI (3680 Jeanne-Mance) for Soundclash: Round Three, wrapping up the year for Kalmunity’s Intimate Sky improv quarterly. Frequent chances to see KVC’s limitless tactics (notably, Tuesdays at le Consulat) or Nomadic’s sheer mass abound, but this mix ’n’ mingle of the minds only happens once a year. Don’t spend 364 days wondering “what if?” like those who neglected to vote in a certain annual readers poll.

The same Friday night at Jupiter, you get not only fresh goods but visual stimuli that won’t require the licking of amphibians (unless, you know, that’s your thing) or even a cover charge. Jus Frais and Markit invite you to Droppin’ Knowledge: The Oh Jeez Edition, featuring themselves, Wrabeanz and DJs Frankie Fat-Sak and Big Russia, who apparently do stuff with pictures or lights, or at any rate something dope that syncs up with the selections. A good time is promised for all. What’s better after a day’s work?

“THIRD PRIZE IS: YOU’RE FIRED”
BLOCKCLOCKER@GMAIL.COM