Beat Box

by Ain Ardron-Doley

If you don't already have tickets for the blazing 'N Stink show at the F.U. Center with hip-hop's finest frontman P-Diddy (that was a joke), try the after-party/Busta Rhymes Platinum Celebration as Busta, The Flipmode Squad, 'N Sync and Puffy raid the club. Thu., April 18, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., Deco, 510 N. Front and Spring Garden sts., 215-888-4801, $20 before midnight.

Did you ever know that you're my herrroooo? The Philadelphia Chapter of the Recording Academy (the Grammy people) has a few. Their Heroes Awards are presented annually to outstanding individuals and institutions that have improved the creative environment. Live performers include local soul bro Musiq (second album dropping in May), poet extraordinaire Ursula Rucker, The Wilmington-Chester Mass Choir and The Grammy All Star High School Band. Honorees include music educator George Allen, rapstress Eve, jazz guitarist, Pat Martino, radio icon and 88.5 WXPN "World Café" host David Dye, the world-famous DJ Jazzy Jeff and Patti Labelle. Proceeds benefit MusiCares® Foundation and Philadelphia Chapter's professional education programs. Mon, April 22, Loews Hotel, Millennium Ballroom, 1200 Market St., 6 p.m. VIP/Press Reception and special silent auction, awards show and dinner 8-11 p.m. Tickets 215-985-5411, $175 (breakin' the bank). See Mixpicks on p. 72.

Missing DJ Lowbudget? Well he's back. Check him at the new weekly, Kicks. It's LB's usual mix of old- and new-school hip-hop, funk and party classics. Fri., April 19, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., St. Jack's, 45 S. Third St., 215-238-9353, free.

Or head over to Extreme Kicks' Second Degree Burn, a breakin' and martial arts expo. Fri., April 19, 11 p.m. registration, all day event, $20-$25, North Philadelphia YMCA, Broad and Master sts., for more information: 610-431-8433 or extremekicks.com.

Listen up under-21'ers, you only have to be 18 for "Elevated Underground 2." Roots-fusion band The Ally headlines as indie kids 40th Dimension open with a lil' cross-band collab'n. 40th Dimension's Happ G marks his words: "This spot is off the hook! It's huge and elegant, and we're gonna turn it into an animal house." Fri., April 19, 9 p.m., Locust Club, 1616 Locust St., $10.

Mixmaster Mike of the Beastie Boys takes control of Shampoo's decks. Sat., April 20, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., Shampoo, 417 N. Eighth St., 215-922-7500, $10.

Stop by Tiffany Bacon's Verbal Essences for a taste of the spoken word coupled with some lip -lickin' mac-and-cheese. Remember last year's Nubian Café at Sistahs? Well, there will be no open mic when the Café returns in May. If you want to perform there, you have to audition at Verbal Essences and see if you make the cut. Mon., April 22, auditions 7-8 p.m.,Ms. Tootsies, 1314 South St., 215-844-7666, $5.

Or head down the block for Motown's latest product; Remy Shand brings his soulfulness to the TLA. Mon., April 22, 9 p.m., TLA, 334 South St., www.electricfactory.com, $15, $18 day of show.