This Week In Hip-Hop

Mayer Hawthorne will be at DC9 on Sunday.

Wednesday:
>> A combination of art exhibit and DJ set, "The Classics" will feature album cover artwork from some of hip-hop music's most memorable recordings. In addition, DJs 2-Tone Jones and Nick Da 1da will help shape the musical atmosphere at Lounge of Three (1013 U Street NW). Free, 5 p.m.

Thursday:
>> The "Cakes & Kisses" party is going on at Asylum with The Five One, PHZ-Sicks, Ardamus and DJ Jav. Free, 9 p.m.

Friday:
>> Brooklyn crooner Maxwell finally returned with an album this year, BlackSUMMERS'night, and is on tour to promote it. His Verizon Center show will have Common and Chrisette Michele as his opening acts. $23-$178, 7:30 p.m.

>> The first Friday of the month once again brings "Moneytown" at Dahlak (1771 U Street NW). As usual, DJ Nitekrawler headlines while hosting several of the area's top soul night deejays. Free, 10 p.m.

Saturday:
>> Producer and deejay Daz-I-Kue, of the U.K. broken beat group, Bugz In The Attic, will be following up his Inauguration Weekend set with a gig at Eighteenth Street Lounge. $TBA, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday:
>> One of the most talked about artists to come out of the Ann Arbor, Michigan music scene since Iggy Pop, Mayer Hawthorne (pictured) will bring his retro-Motown sound to DC9 for his first D.C. appearance in support of his debut album, A Strange Arrangement. He'll be joined by fellow Ann Arbor natives, Buff1 (whose interview with DCist you should look for on Friday) and 14KT. $10 in advance/$12 at the door, 8:30 p.m.