The Hiphop Tip Something must be brewing north of Seattle, because a handful of emcees are starting to cause a serious ruckus, both locally and nationally. Everett native Bad Luk, who has really shined in several emcee battles, and who recently stole the show last month opening for Yukmouth of the Luniz, has two big shows this week opening for national artists. This Thursday, April 8, at Neumo's, he will be performing along with Big Partee of the Sport-n-Life crew, and Barfly, the famous drunk of the week and talented graphic designer who is responsible for a majority of the Under the Needle fliers, as well as being one-half of the side project Norman. They will all be opening for the man with 1,000 names, Keith Thornton, more commonly referred to as Kool Keith. Coming along with Keith are his Dr. Doom cohorts Jacky Jasper and DJ Deft Sample, in a show that is sure to be entertaining.

In addition to opening for the show at Neumo's, Bad Luk will also take it a few blocks up Capitol Hill to Chop Suey this Wednesday, April 14, when he opens for the Plague on Wheels tour (consisting of Eyedea & Abilities, Blueprint, and the North End's own Grayskul), sharing the stage with one of his favorite emcees in the region, JFK. To describe Bad Luk's style isn't quite that easy; while being heavily influenced by mid-'90s Bay Area artists like the Luniz and E-40, he doesn't resort to the played-out sound and content that many artists in town fall back on. His style is very original and he'll make you feel what he has to say. That being said, he is definitely talking about stuff he can relate to. "I think the adults are feeling me more right now, because I have songs where I touch up on substance abuse, but I haven't really had an opportunity to rap for the kids yet," Bad Luk says.

Back to Grayskul, the two-month tour they are embarking on with their fellow Rhymesayers will be in support of their new album, Thee Adventures. It's a big move for Reason (Onry), Recluse (JFK), and El Topo (Rob Castro), who will most likely be underground heroes after this tour. Their album Deadlivers featured such guests as Aesop Rock, Mr. Lif, Abstract Rude, and even Canibus, and the new record will drop shortly after their return home from the Plague on Wheels tour.

The female duo now residing in Portland known as Siren's Echo (Toni Hill and Syndel) will be heading up to Seattle to perform at the Chop Suey with J-Live and People Under the Stairs. Both PUTS and J-Live dropped EPs under the radar last year, and each put on fantastic stage shows, so expect to get a trifecta of quality performances this Friday, April 9.

hiphop@thestranger.com