Despite my vast CD collection, the only hiphop records I own are obvious staples like Run-D.M.C., Young MC, Outkast, and maybe a little Digital Underground. So admittedly, I'm really in no position to make critical comments about the genre beyond the "it's good, I like it" variety.

Nevertheless, I understand Seattle's all-ages community consists of more than cute, candy-coated pop and boys who like to scream. The Vera Project occasionally hosts local hiphop shows, and recently Cranium's in Lake City started a monthly showcase called First Fridays featuring everything from hiphop-influenced spoken word to local MCs, DJs, and b-boys.

"It's all part of hiphop, and that's what we do," says First Fridays' booker Christian Schmitt of the event's varied lineup. "Last month we had some b-boys in the house and they were breakin' right there on the floor. I didn't think we had the room, but I guess we do!"

Now in its fifth month, the club night started as a way to give lesser-known or inexperienced artists a comfortable arena of their own. "First Fridays is a good start for new artists who might feel intimidated by the bigger clubs and bookers in town," says Schmitt. "It's tough at that stage to get out there 'cause those promoters are busy people and get lots of people hittin' them up for shows."

He continues, "The Cranium's shows have that down to earth vibe about them. There is no stage, no lights, no attitude, and performers are definitely not there for the money 'cause we don't make much right now—and if we do, it all goes to artists, poets, DJs, and the coffee shop to keep it going for the next time."

This month's installment features the new host, Sentences of Crtv Dstrctn, along with DJ Direct, Iisei, Audio Poet, J.U.I., and spoken-word artist Michelle Mukai. "I am very excited for the next show," Schmitt says. "It's the first time we are going to have a spoken-word artist on the bill. And double that 'cause it's even better when we get women of hiphop in here. I don't mean that in a tokenistic way. The many genres of music are way too male dominated, so we wanna offset that every chance we get. When we do, its gonna be women who blow the place up like Michelle, or BK. So its not 'Oh yeah, we have ladies on the bill,' it's 'Oh hell yeah, that girl just stole the damn show!'"

Cranium's is located at 12301 Lake City Way NE. The show starts at 8:00 pm, and they ask for a $5 donation at the door. If you're interested in playing an upcoming First Friday show, contact Schmitt at craniums_coffee@yahoo.com.

Vera and Cranium's aren't the only clubs supporting local hiphop. Seattle Drum School's venue, the L.A.B., also started hosting hiphop shows every third Friday of the month, and Schmitt is quick to say that the First Friday crew completely supports those efforts. But more on that one another time.