Also this issue:

Critical Mass
Local MC Kenneth Masters makes a declaration of independence.
-Ainé Ardron-Doley

Back to the Future
Cracker hasn't crumbled, but David Lowery says Camper Van Beethoven makes sense right now.
-Collin Keefe

Watching It Happen
-Patrick Rapa

Cherrywine
-A.D. Amorosi

The Caribbean
-Sam Adams

Eighth Blackbird
-Peter Burwasser

Greater Philadelphia Hip Hop Alliance Showcase
-Ainé Ardron-Doley

Sticks and Stones
-A.D. Amorosi

January 23-29, 2003

beat box

compiled by Ainé Ardron-Doley

Tick. Tick. Tick. The Gathering, a monthly platform for all things hip-hop, is right on time. Get your open-mic mash on and your open-linoleum pose struck as featured top-billers Think Tank Ent. and Tolo Rocks take mic in hand with DJs M-ski and the showboating Day of the Poet resident Razor Ramon on deck. Thu., Jan. 23, 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m., all ages, free, The Rotunda, 4012 Walnut St., 215-573-3234, www.foundationarts.org.

Friday takes it to ya as Stef Tataz presents DJ/Producer Series #5 with 103.9 FM The Beat's Jay-Ski and the entire Skratch Makanikz crew: Sat-One, Excel and Kwestion. Following in the footsteps of Revolution, Pete Rock, Lord Finesse, J-Zone and Premier, expect the Makanikz to spin nothing but real hip-hop. What's that? Tune in to 103.9 on any given Saturday night at 2 a.m. to find out. Jay is one of the city's only DJs to consistently rep underground, independent and downright talented artists who usually wouldn't get the time of day on a major commercial station. Fri., Jan. 24, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., $5, Fluid, 613 S. Fourth St., 215-629-0565. Or shuffle over to the Troc's upstairs hangout, The Balcony, for: On the Hill/Jam Faction, Greek & Rummage, Splitt, Adam12, Digs Darklighter, Carl K, The Masters and DJ Kwestion. Fri., Jan. 24, 8 p.m., $7, The Balcony, 1003 Arch St., 215-922-LIVE. Or witness Cherrywine, the brand-new funk of former Digable Planets member Ishmael, a.k.a. Butterfly. Also in the house, opening act Stiffed and the talented hands of DJs King Britt and Rob Life. Fri., Jan. 24, 9 p.m., $10, The Five Spot, 5 S. Bank St., 215-574-0070. (More information above.)

Not to leave folks hanging on Saturday, see above for The Greater Philadelphia Hip Hop Alliance Show and p. 33 for the K-Mass CD Release Party.

Sheesh! Squarebiz is unstoppable. Here's to a fresh new night of groovin' as spinsters Mike Nyce and big ?uestlove break in the new hot-spot lounge, Denim. Sun., Jan. 26, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., free, Denim, 17th and Walnut sts., www.squarebiz.org. By the way, yes, it is Super Bowl Sunday and there are big-screen TVs for those who still care.

Lastly, The Rotunda comes alive again for the Respect the Hustle tour with Scienz of Life, Breez Evahflowin, L.I.F.E. Long and Stronghold's DJ Static (not Ill Vibe's Statik), H. Brycon and DJ Equal. With special guests Kenneth Masters and DJ Cramski along for the ride, you can't beat this all-ages, free concert! Tue., Jan. 28, 8 p.m., free, The Rotunda.

Ahh, now it's time to sleep -- till next week.