November 20-26, 2003

beat box

compiled by Ainé Ardron-Doley

Attention all turntablist fans: The ultimate waxing smackdown is back for another go-round. The 2004 edition of the Scratch Tour boasts Q-Bert, Z-Trip, Jazzy Jay and The X-ecutioners, surely spinning and cuttin' madness at its best. And if you haven't copped Roc Raida's new record, Champion Sound, I'll tell you: It's simply the hottest DJ/producer compilation to hit record store shelves in a long time. Fri., Nov. 21, 9 p.m., $18-$20, The TLA, 334 South St., 215-336-2000. Then comes the after-party. Well, it's not officially the after-party, but it's your next stop. Square Biz, Beautiful People and Soul Travelers unite to present Speakeasy, a weekly after-hours dance/lounge party. Bet on this to be Friday's new hot spot with DJs Mike Nyce and Brendan spinning hip-hop, funk and classics on the main floor, Rahsaan and Joey Blanco housing it all night long in the basement, Kenny Meez in the third-floor lounge with reggae and rotating DJs putting on your favorite slow jams in the upstairs lounge. Fri., Nov. 21, 10 p.m.-3:30 a.m., $7 before midnight, $10, Transit, Sixth and Spring Garden sts., 215-925-8878, www.squarebiz.org.

Touring in support of their latest release, Highlight Zone, N.Y. transplants High and Mighty strut into their "hometown" alongside Cage, Akrobatik with DJ Fakts One and Chief Kamachi with DJ Kwestion. Mon., Nov. 24, 8 p.m., $15-$18, The TLA.

Like we say here every week, there are alternatives to Philly's commercial radio kingpins -- like Illadelementz each week with Just, DJ Chasekillz and DJ King B. With guests like Outerspace, Asheru, Baby Blak and Canibus, Illadelementz is so bangin', its archives are sold at Fat Beats in New York! Mondays, 6-8 p.m., WUSR 99.5 FM (Scranton) or stream live on www.phillyhiphop.com.

Tune in to The Avenue this week as Freestyle king Supernatural chats with Soul-One. Monday-Friday, 4 p.m., DUTV Cable 54, www.dutv.org/avenue.

Square Biz has put out the call, now it's up to the female artists of the city to respond. In early 2004, Square Biz mama Stacey Wilson will flip the typical artist showcase on its head with Flyjawn. All women and all skills -- from visual art to cooking to DJ'ing to poetry, fashion, dance and music -- are welcome. E-mail squarebizdishes@aol.com for more information on submitting your work for consideration. In the same vein, be ready in January for With Much Character, a stunning art exhibit featuring Ms. Wilson, Soul-One, Saga One and Hanan Selah.

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