by SCOTT C

Alright, Montreal. You now have all the proof you need to know that we are very capable of having the illest of hip hop shows. Without a doubt, the Talib Kweli show at Medley last Saturday night was the tightest night of MC/DJ/audience interaction that this city has witnessed in a long time. All budding promoters take note: this is the type of shit we need. If you book a quality show, you know we're gonna be there. It was amazing to see Kweli and DJ Chaps bugging out over how hype the crowd was, and this is what probably prompted them to invite anybody and everybody onstage after their encore. Instead of filing out of the place as fast as they could, or making a beeline for the coat check, it was nice to see people respond to the instant party that Kweli kept going for almost an hour after he'd finished his last song. It was kind of funny watching Medley security trying to get a handle on the fact that everybody was just gonna stay put and party, but luckily there were no incidents at all. Must've been the vibe in the place. Highlights of the night: Kweli rhyming on Jaydee's "Fuck the Police" beat with the Jazzyfatnastees scatting the chorus, and watching Kanye West making a hot MTL debut on the mic and then dealing with the mad influx of groupies (I saw some bonafide rock groupies trying to get backstage, no joke). Nice one, B.

With that done, you can make room on your calendar for the triumphant return of Kardinal Offishall, who is thankfully not performing in a club for perhaps the first time in his travels to Montreal. Back up in Medley on Friday, April 18, with IRS, you can't knock Kardi, who could take out most MCs with just a kiss of the teeth and has no problem commanding the attention of all in the room. His latest single "Belly Dancer" was produced by none other than the Neptunes and features main-man Pharell Williams. I'm sure Pharell got rocked and simply couldn't front on the Kardi slang after he laced the "Grindin'" remix, but if you know like I know, Kardi has had the gift of lip for longtime, seen? Fifteen dollars in advance, $20 at the door.

This Friday night at la Sala Rossa, you can check out Land and Liberty, a benefit for Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights and the International Solidarity Movement. The stacked bill includes Kali (from Kali and Dub), Mossman Sound, Patrick Bateman, Kandis & Erin May, Ballast and DJ Static. Doors are at 9 p.m. and it's a mere $5. See www.sphr.org and www.palsolidarity.org for more info.

By the way, Brass Knuckles Fridays have officially been shelved at the request of Blizzarts management, just like that. And if you think we're going out, just like that, I got news for ya. Don't sleep…

What a way to go out, out like a sucka… incubator@hiphopsite.com

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