TALIB KWELI, MF DOOM
Talib Kweli is the Jesse Jackson of rap (sans infidelity baggage). Quality (2002), Reflection Eternal (2000), and Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star (1998) are antidotes to rampant blingism. A skilled wordsmith possessed of a warm, elastic delivery, Kweli pushes all the right uplift-the-race buttons, prompting boho liberals to nod their heads to his right-on sentiments. His producers (including Hi-Tek, DJ Quik, Kanye West) thread Kweli's tracks with a vivid, sophisticated soul/funk that nullifies any cynicism the words provoke. The extraordinary MF Doom, who's taken the underground by storm with several excellent releases over the last two years, brings some otherworldly, comic-book surrealism to smudge Kweli's realness. Showbox, 1426 First Ave, 628-3151, 8 pm-2 am, all ages, $20 adv.
THE DEMONS, PHILOSOPHY MAJOR, DATZ COLD, SPECS ONE
The Demons spring out of the Hydra head that is Seattle collective Lovecraft Technologies. Past and present members of that subliminally subversive crew such as MC Confuz, Fetish, Dr. Y.E.S. (Philosophy Major), #9 (Datz Cold), and Kizmet purvey horror-hop for the apocalyptic scenario that inhabits your worst dreams. Philosophy Major brings profound dubadelic vibrations to balance out the Demons' goth-inflected rap pyrotechnics. Presented by Wall of Sound. Rendezvous Jewel Box Theater, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823, 9 pm-2 am, 21+, $5.
FRIDAY MAY 28
THE ETERNALS, TORTOISE, BEANS
Supporting their vibrant second album, Rawar Style (Aesthetics), Chicago's Eternals bust out edgy dub-funk that twines the sonic DNA of legendary Jamaican producer Lee "Scratch" Perry with that of UK post-punks the Pop Group. Featuring ex-Trenchmouth vocalist/keyboardist Damon Locks and bassist Wayne Montana, and ex-Vandermark 5 drummer Tim Mulvenna, the Eternals put a highly frictioned and tartly melodic spin on the evergreen postmodern dub template. Showbox, 1426 First Ave, 628-3151, 8 pm-2 am, 21+, $16 adv/$18 DOS
