At the end of 2006, I predicted that two hiphop labels, Mass Line
and Sportn’ Life, would have the biggest impact on the local scene in
2007. I was almost right. Mass Line had a spectacular year; Sportn’
Life did not. Two reasons: One, rapper Fatal Lucciauno went to
jail right after Sportn’ Life released his CD; and two, Dyme Def
and J.Pinder, the hottest young rappers in Seattle, left the label for
greener pastures. The blows, however, did not kill the label. It still
has D.Black. This show is all about the return of Sportn’ Life.
(Chop Suey, 1325 E Madison St, 324-8000. 8 pm, $7, all ages.)

Charles Mudede—who writes about film, books, music, and his life in Rhodesia, Zimbabwe, the USA, and the UK for The Stranger—was born near a steel plant in Kwe Kwe, Zimbabwe. He has no memory...