Hot enough for ya? On Wednesday, August 22, at Barboza, celebrate with Sonny Bonoho and Esseno as they release their albums The Vag and Funked Up BBQ'n Music Vol. 2, respectively. Sonny is a true oddball jewel of the NW—a hustler, entrepreneur, family man, and rap sanger with a style all his own, in all things. His partner Esseno lives smooth like Warren G, with a particular focus on a very West Coast boogaloo-or-BBQ lifestyle. Opening up are Th3rdz, the emergent young cool of Peta Tosh, plus three DJs—Swervewon, Roc'Phella, and Mouse.Wayne. Ladies are free, as are we all (well, till 10 p.m. for dudes).

You know I've been a supporter and fan of Shabazz Palaces for a hot minute, because, well, they're my favorite shit—but in the interest of transparency, I should let readers know that I now work with them as well, which you might've noticed when I wrote about going on tour with them last spring. That said, SP are hosting and presenting a night of quality up-and-coming talent at Neumos on Friday, August 24, headlined by buzzing Skymen rep Royce the Choice. Maybe you've caught him handling on joints like Eighty4 Fly's "Hammer" or his own Nacho Picasso–featuring "LSWN." He came on the scene with his Choosin' Season mixtapes, but his newest, Razorr Ramone, captures his cocky best, particularly on the GMK-produced opener "Razorr." Also on this show is Malitia Malimob, Seattle's own amped-up Somali American headbussas (who played some good shows with Shabazz on that tour). On their new Riots of the Pirates, they have a unique and coherent take on aggressive trap braggadocio, evoking the brutal imagery of the Somali pirate much like US-born street rappers have invoked mob figures. Making his debut, Laced Up alum and ill kid Porter Ray opens, with an assist from Nacho Picasso.

If that's not your twist, there's plenty of other lineups to wet that whistle (ew?). My dude Grynch is headlining one at the Crocodile that night, with BEGxBORROWxSTEAL-er RA Scion (currently cooking up some marvelous shit with City Hall producer Todd Sykes), Neema (fast raps and blue drinks till the wheels fall off), the dynamic Dyme Def offshoot of Fearce and Bean and DV One, who will no doubt have the entire greenroom doing dips.

What's mandatory is your participation in the Physics' smooth and soulful town biz-nass, going down Saturday, August 25, at Neumos for the release of their fantastic new Tomorrow People. This is where trying to write a 500-word column about hella shows and albums fails me—I should be writing this whole thing about that album, the latest high-water mark in what I consider a fair string of straight-up Seattle hiphop classics since their 2009 High Society EP. I will get a real review in elsewhere, but allow me to posit that the Physics evoke the essential Tribal Productions spirit and bridge it to a new generation through natural collaboration and mentorship, keeping the flame truly lit, and they sound great doing it. The Bar (Prometheus Brown and Bambu, duh), Brothers from Another, and Jake One all open. Get in there early. recommended