Lightning strikes twice by SCOTT C Those of you who like to read up on the changing face of hip hop culture will be pleased to know that Montreal has made yet another cameo in a major American hip hop publication. The April issue of Blaze magazine features a short (almost too short) look at what's going on up here, and is nothing compared to the three-page spread that was featured in the Source last month. Shades of Culture MC D-Shade will be happy to know his solo work is "for the mainstream," while Dubmatique producer DJ Choice is "a ghetto superstar whose fame hasn't caused him to lose his edge." Asking people about the local slang revealed that "Mount Real" is a commonly used expression, while wearing the label FUBU is the fashion statement of the moment. Basically, we look and sound like clowns in the piece, and there is no real feel for what goes on here. Oh yeah, apparently Mtl heads have a "subdued Native Tongues look, with lots of earthtones." So you better make that cheddar and cop all the new fly gear! Right. All right, let's round 'em up. For the last time, if you haven't picked up your tickets to see Jay-Z, DMX, Redman and Method Man, time is running out. The boys take the stage at the Molson Centre tonight. Tomorrow (Friday, March 12) has something a little different happening at McGill's Pollack Hall. At 8 p.m., Nicole Livee presents her Master's thesis: an orchestral work written for strings, winds, percussion and--you guessed it--turntables! Featured turntablist P-Love will be hangin' with all kinds of classical types, so check it out. Info: 398-4547. Saturday, March 13, has this month's instalment of Tableturns spinning in all directions at Quartier Latin. New York turntablists the Steelworkers featuring Big Wiz and Mars One will be in the house along with all kinds of locals. This is fast becoming a wicked regular event. $7 at the door and $5 with a flyer. Also on Friday, HOT 97 N.Y. DJs Fatman Scoop and Selector Lindo P rip a HOT 97 party inside Club Platinum. Info: 485-1712. Those of you heading south for the Winter Music Conference in Miami should know about the Dune Recordings/Bombay Records party happening Sunday, March 14 at the Lava Lounge in Miami (609 Washington Ave., South Beach). Names like Roy Davis Jr., Blane 720, DB, and DJ Dara will be rubbing elbows with the Dune/Bombay boys and other notable Montreal DJs. Wednesday, March 17 is the Next Step Part 3 at Cabaret with the usual live instrumentation and MCs mixed with the six turntable monster. DJs P-Love, Spazmodik, MTRX, Buck Rogers and Mr. Sanders will also be adding their two cents. $6 in advance at Noize and Rotation, $8 at the door which incidentally opens at 10:30. Red Alert: Just in case you've been asleep, The Roots are coming to the Spectrum on March 29 and they're bringing extra lyrics with them in the form of Common. Get your tickets now.