This Week In Hip-Hop

Wednesday:
>> Local artist Tamara Wellons found herself with a house hit several months back, and now is set to release her album, Life Is. She'll be at Bohemian Caverns. $20 in advance, 8 p.m.

Thursday:
>> Beatdown is back with local producers matching up in a battle of beats. Slated to appear are Kokayi, Shaka, Theory, Bad Abbot, and E-Minah. The competition will go down at Club Felix. $TBA, 9 p.m.

Friday:
>> D.C. native Johnny Gill teams up with two other New Edition alums, Bobby Brown and Ralph Tresvant, for a showcase of R&B talent from the past 20 years. Joining them at Constitution Hall will be SWV and Dru Hill with Sisqo. $65, 8 p.m.

>> Mambo Sauce is responsible for the track that should be D.C.'s anthem. They'll be at Jammin' Java in Vienna along with Three Stars alum Flex Mathews. $12 in advance, 8 p.m.

Saturday:
>> West Coast emcee Murs (pictured) has become a star on hip-hop's underground circuit. He'll be joined at the Rock and Roll Hotel by Ivy League-educated crew Kidz In The Hall, Big Pooh of Little Brother fame, and Isaiah. $14, 8:30 p.m.