Hi, friends, didn't see you there, etc. You come here, you want to know what's good, and—as I have been since the summer of 2004—I'm prepared to let you know. We got shows happening—you got Theoretics and Fly Moon Royalty at Nectar on Friday, March 15, California rappers Murs and Fashawn and Minneapolis's Prof at the Crocodile on Saturday the 16th, and on Sunday the 17th, Gift Uh Gab headlines at Barboza, with support that includes the rising Raz Simone (peep the new video for his Sam Lachow–featuring "Sometimes I Don't") and Gabby's fellow Moor Gang–ster Cam the Mac.

Mega EvErs is an MC with the best name ever from the Central District. He's undeniably hood but, refreshingly, doesn't lean on street clichés or even gang affiliations ("I'm really not a banger/So how do I keep it gangsta")—he just spits hard. His new mixtape, No Concept, is front-loaded with the cuts that have gotten him some attention around here as of late, namely "Ambition," "Self Paid," and "True God Flow." The production is a touch generic, the mix a little uneven, but Mega's raps and hooks shine.

Federal Way–bred Matic is part of the Honor Roll crew—along with Eastside bredren Kung Foo Grip and Bryce Bowden—and is definitely the weirdo of the bunch, prone to painting his face (as in the video for his Keyboard Kid–produced "Dreams") and spitting deep underground (or underwater) grime for the underdogs. With assists from a cast of thousands, including Giorgio MoMurda, Dat New Ager 90, Left Leberra, Greg Cypher, and Lurrell Low, Matic delivers an angsty, anime- and-video-game-fueled Northwest take on based rap on his new mixtape, Jackpot.

Speaking of all things based, if you're not advanced-level Task Force currently enjoying Lil B's Pink Flame and anticipating his P.Y.T. tape, you can at least enjoy Seattle's BasedWorld legend Keyboard Kid and his new tape, Rare Drops from the Water (Water God's Journey Pt.1)—it collects his oceanic instrumentals from work with BasedGod, Das Racist's Himanshu and Kool A.D., and Miami's Metro Zu, plus plenty of unreleased and exclusive material for the benefit of your serotonin levels. Check his Bandcamp page and dive in.

Lastly, this week marks the release of the latest album to emerge from the mighty, mighty Cloud Nice collective (did you see Kingdom Crumbs' "Red Cups" video yet?): Sax G's Tu Me Manques. Producer/MC Sax has brought not a rap album like most would expect, but a sumptuous, spacious synth love poem sprinkled with sweet soul (Choklate makes a couple of appearances) and the occasional verse. Tu Me Manques floats on, half-instrumental in the vein of OCnotes' similarly minded work, fully immersive. It's the audio equivalent of a voice you love speaking low, right by your ear—sexy like a chocolate strawberry, to quote my guy in Role Models. Sax G's suite music is a perfect addition to the literally stellar tradition of the Cloud, one of our town's greatest jewels. Know about it. I'm here to help. recommended