At the end of 2010, I placed my hiphop bets for 2011 on three acts: Shabazz Palaces, 10.4 Rog, and Metal Chocolates. The first two bets are settled—the new Shabazz Palaces album is out of this world, and 10.4 Rog's collaboration with The Good Sin is gold. One bet is left, and I very much doubt it will lose. Metal Chocolates—rapper Rik Rude (Fresh Espresso) and producer OC Notes (Dap Confuser)

—are well connected and super talented, and have already made a local classic, "Afro Egypt": "We love ladies from London, Brazil, to Israel." Indeed, love makes the world go round and round. (Neumos, 925 E Pike St, 709-9467, 8 pm, $10, 21+)