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

Going Somewhere
Intercultural Journeys finds harmony in the music of enemies.
-Mary Armstrong

Watching It Happen
-Patrick Rapa

Cherrywine
-A.D. Amorosi

The Caribbean
-Sam Adams

Eighth Blackbird
-Peter Burwasser

Sticks and Stones
-A.D. Amorosi

January 23-29, 2003

musicpicks

Greater Philadelphia Hip Hop Alliance Showcase

Doubling as a membership drive and live hip-hop bash, this event is sardine-packed with talent for a lofty cause: to bring the city's musical movers, old-school shakers and future-of-the-funk players together. It's Baby Blak (of Ill Advised), Thee Phantom, Diatribe, Reef, Splitt, Frost and Trife Wound on the mic, and DJs Meddafore, Primetime and CCx on wax. Blak roared through 2002 with a vengeance, dishing clever verse after clever verse alongside hip-hop's DJ elite -- Jazzy Jeff, Babu and Revolution. Also last year, Thee Phantom became the first MC to rock the Kimmel Center, with orchestra in tow. And then there's the trio of mixtape-producing DJs simultaneously delivering both the booty-shake and the head-nod. Join the GPHHA for a celebration of the city's thriving culture (it's bigger and deeper than a scene). Philly hip-hop is more than The Roots, Eve and Beans. Don't look now: Thee Phantom's bringing the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra with him, live and direct to West Philly.

Sat., Jan. 25, 9 p.m., 18 to enter, $5 for members, $7 for non-members, G's Blackhouse, 51st St. and Lancaster Ave., www.phillyhiphop.com.

—Ainé Ardron-Doley