Kosha Dillz Tuesday: >> For over 40 years, Sergio Mendes has been the foremost purveyor of bossa nova music and lent his talents to the likes of Stevie Wonder and Will.I.Am. He'll be at Wolf Trap's Filene Center in Vienna, VA along with Belgium's Zap Mama. $22-$44, 8 p.m. Wednesday: >> This week's installment of Bohemian Caverns' "Rhythm and Soul" series features two shows from the well-regarded artist, Vinx. $15, 8 p.m. and 10......

Wednesday: >> This edition of "The Beatdown" will be held at Geisha and feature the production prowess of Justus League member Khrysis (pictured). Joining him will be his Away Team compatriot, Sean Boog, as well as Kount Fif, Nick Da 1Da, Midas and DJ Nfinit. $10, 8 p.m. >> Bohemian Caverns once again plays host to an up and coming artist as a part of the Rhythm & Soul series. This week, San Francisco-based musician......

Wednesday: >> Bobbito Garcia's last time in town was a beautiful exploration of Stevie Wonder's catalog. Today, he'll be teaming up with locally-based rapper/producer/DJ, Roddy Rod at Liv for "Sole(ism)", a launch party for the Artistic-Sole shoe design outfit. $8 in advance/$12 at the door, 8 p.m. >> Atlanta's Anthony David made a name for himself on the indie soul scene by writing songs for friend and Grammy winner, India Arie. Next week he'll release......

It's not everyday that The Sugarhill Gang, Sisqo, and Dru Hill are hanging around a party at a house in D.C.'s Chinatown. The artists were in town yesterday to lobby, not for thongs or hip hopping to hippie, but for the Performance Rights Act, which would give terrestrial broadcast royalties to performers of songs. Currently songwriters and composers get royalties. The party, held in an ultramodern house, was organized by SoundExchange, a music industry non-profit......

Peter Hadar Wednesday: >> Peter Hadar's skills and versatility as an artist have caused a lot of people to take notice, especially his peers. He's on the road in support of his sophomore release, Fresh Attire. His set will take place at Bohemian Caverns. $TBA, 8 p.m. Thursday: >> DJ Nitekrawler holds another funk, disco, and Afrobeat party at Saint-Ex. Free, 10 p.m. Friday: >> She's probably the most highly regarded R&B singer over......

Wednesday: >> Kicking off the Live! on Woodrow Wilson Plaza series, renowned reggae act Third World will be performing their hits, like "Now That We Found Love". Free, 12 p.m. >> With his "The Broken Vibes EP", Taylor McFerrin has carved his own niche on the broken beat scene, as well as in his own family's musical legacy. The Brooklyn-based artist will be at Bohemian Caverns along with Ne'a Posey for two shows. $12 in......

Tuesday: >> Twin Cities-based indie hip-hop stars Eyedea & Abilities are on the road again and will be at Rock and Roll Hotel as a part of the "Appetite for Distraction" tour. They'll be joined by local acts Educated Consumers and Math Panda. $12, 8 p.m. Wednesday: >> The Rhythm & Soul series at Bohemian Caverns goes slightly out of its typical element with two acoustic sets by D.C.-based rocker Sitali (pictured). The son of......

Wednesday: >> At the Velvet Lounge, four local hip-hop acts will be putting on a performance. Slated to appear are Dr. Beckett, The Package, Peace Justice (a.k.a. DJ Eurok) and DJ Provoke. Free, 9 p.m. Thursday: >> As a part of the Concrete Alchemy art tour, the monthly LACED party will host a panel discussion and afterparty featuring "golden era" hip-hop hits and games galore at Cue Bar. Free, 7 p.m. >> Jazzy vocalist Loide......

WEDNESDAY: >> It's been over a decade since Erykah Badu burst onto the scene with her nasally ode to the nature of the universe, "On & On". She'll be at Constitution Hall for two nights in support of her latest album, New Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War. Joining her will be America's foremost hip-hop band, The Roots. Last month they released Rising Down, which features guest vocals from D.C.'s own Wale on the go-go......

Driving down I-66 West to the Nissan Pavilion Saturday evening was an experience (though obviously, not nearly as much of an "experience" as Sunday night's Radiohead show was). There were a number of cars loaded with people looking to be in their teens or early 20s lining the road, wearing the trademark sunglasses and blaring the music of the artist they were going to see, Kanye West. In the years since West stepped from behind......

TUESDAY: >> Portland, Oregon-based indie soulstress Liv Warfield has been garnering positive reviews ever since the 2006 release of her debut album, Embrace Me. She'll be performing two shows at Blues Alley this evening. $20, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. >> Was (Not Was) came out of Detroit in the early 1980s with "Wheel Me Out" and scored a hit later in the decade with "Walk the Dinosaur". Recently reinvigorated, the band will bring their......

TUESDAY: >> Minneapolis hip-hop act Atmosphere will be at the 9:30 Club to support their recently released album, When Life Gives You Lemons You Paint That Shit Gold. If you're still looking to go, too bad. The show sold out and typical spots to sell extra tickets, like Craigslist, are coming up dry so hanging outside 9:30's door hoping to catch an unloaded ticket might be the best option. 7:30 p.m. >> Flex Mathews' Good......

Since DCist last spoke to Muhsinah back in January, she's been in almost constant motion. In fact, this interview interrupted her work on a track for a London-based artist. Muhsinah's music is hard to categorize. Her first full length release, day.break, was a multi-layered sonic cake, and a perfect follow-up to the teaser album, The Oscillations EP. Drawing off her fondness for jazz vocals, Indian music and the MPC, she's placed herself in a......

WEDNESDAY: >> Dallas native Geno Young is no stranger to D.C., having spent time here as a Howard student. His talents have led to a role producing and songwriting for Erykah Badu, among other artists. He’ll be at Bohemian Caverns for two shows along with local soul star Wayna, as a part of the Rhythm and Soul series. $15, 8 and 10 p.m. THURSDAY: >> DCist loves to highlight local artists and now’s the time......

It's about that time, folks. Unbuckled 7, taking place this Thursday at DC9, is almost upon us, and we have an incredible bill featuring Muhsinah and Motel, two up-and-coming acts from the District who blur the lines between R&B, jazz, and hip-hop, as well as DJ v:shal kanwar, who is making waves in the city's electronica scene. Matt Grason, a bandleader, bassist, and composer, is the brains behind Motel, a jazz/hip-hop collective that pairs D.C.'s......

TUESDAY: >> London's Estelle is already well regarded in the U.K.'s urban music scene and recently made her first foray into the U.S. market with her album, Shine. With her stateside label boss, John Legend, serving as the evening's host as well as a performer, she'll make her D.C. debut at Zanzibar. $15 in advance, 8 p.m. WEDNESDAY: >> The multi-talented Wes Felton has been a fixture on the D.C. soul scene for a while,......

WEDNESDAY: >> Although his career was put on ice several times due to incarceration, Slick Rick hasn't lost the appeal that launched his career 20 years ago. The ongoing adventures of Slick Rick will bring him to Five with Roc Raida out of the The X-Ecutioners turntable crew and host Flex Mathews. $15 in advance or $17 at the door, 9 p.m. FRIDAY: >> Without a doubt, hip-hop is a global phenomenon. Tonight at the......

For our purposes, the definition of hip-hop will be broader than it’s typically constructed, and will include R&B, soul, certain electronic, or whatever else is deemed appropriate by the author. TUESDAY >> Wes Felton is a skilled rapper and singer but he'll put down the microphone for the turntables at Marvin tonight as a part of his “Dub’s Pub” set. Free, 6 p.m. >> DC9 will play host to four acts including Three Stars alum......

For our purposes, the definition of hip-hop will be broader than it's typically constructed, and will include R&B, soul, certain electronic, or whatever else deemed appropriate by the author. WEDNESDAY: >> Howard alum Sy Smith is probably most recognizable to people in the States as a background singer on American Idol, but the songstress has released several albums that have created buzz for her overseas. She’ll be back in D.C. and at Bohemian Caverns......

For our purposes, the definition of hip-hop will be broader than it's typically constructed, and will include R&B, soul, certain electronic, or whatever else deemed appropriate by the author. TUESDAY: >> The Hip Hop Caucus and Amnesty International host the "We Care Concert" 9:30 Club. Featured artists include Mambo Sauce, Saigon, Wise Intelligent, and former No Limit rapper Mia X. $15, 7:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY: >> Chris Burns and Ed Dudes will be spinning their funky......

For our purposes, the definition of hip-hop will be broader than it's typically constructed, and will include R&B, soul, certain electronic, or whatever else deemed appropriate by the author. TUESDAY: >> If this decade has a diva, she is Jill Scott. Scott came to a lot of people’s attention as The Roots’ background singer and has become a phenomenal solo artist. She’ll be at D.A.R. Constitution Hall Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, with help from......

For our purposes, the definition of hip-hop will be broader than it’s typically constructed, and will include R&B, soul, certain electronic, or whatever else is deemed appropriate by the author. WEDNESDAY >> It was only a few weeks ago that Emily King performed in the District. The Grammy-nominated guitarist/singer/songwriter will be performing an acoustic set featuring music from her debut album, East Side Story, at Bohemian Caverns. She’ll be joined by singer/songwriter Peter Hadar.......

For our purposes, the definition of hip-hop will be broader than it’s typically constructed, and will include R&B, soul, certain electronic, or whatever else is deemed appropriate by the author. TUESDAY: Goodwill Ink is back as Flex Mathews hosts a showcase of local talent at the Velvet Lounge. Acts slated to appear include Ardamus, Matias O Din of the Revlers, Dr. Birthday, K-Beta, Watusi, Mic Canabals, Vi Cee, and God Head. 8 p.m., Free. WEDNESDAY:......

Having spent a significant amount of time around the Southeast Michigan hip-hop scene, whenever I hear the name J Dilla uttered, my ears perk up. He was responsible for shaping my listening choice more so than any other artist. The Detroit native produced a number of works during his career which ran from the mid-1990s until his death in February of 2006. A few artists who are a part of his discography include Janet Jackson,......

For our purposes, the definition of hip-hop will be broader than it’s typically constructed, and will include R&B, soul, certain electronic, or whatever else is deemed appropriate by the author. WEDNESDAY: >> W. Ellington Felton will be DJing "What's Going On?" Wednesdays at Marvin. Given the event title and the restaurant's name, you can make a logical inference as to what the flavor of the night's selections will be. 9 p.m., Free. THURSDAY: >> Chrisette......

For our purposes, the definition of hip-hop will be broader than it’s typically constructed, and will include R&B, soul, certain electronic, or whatever else is deemed appropriate by the author. TUESDAY: >> Flex Mathews plays host to several local hip-hop acts, including Verse-All, Mental Stamina of Rosetta Stoned, Sire, Cubby Bear, and Coma and the Velvet Lounge. 8 p.m., $7. THURSDAY: >> Trying to think up a last minute Valentine’s Day outing? Constitution Hall will......

With brightly-colored graffiti murals lining the gallery hallways, and riffs on 17th century Dutch painting, the National Portrait Gallery has brought a breath of fresh air to the often traditional Smithsonian Institution. Last Friday, just weeks after hanging the Stephen Colbert portrait, the NPG opened RECOGNIZE! Hip Hop and Contemporary Portraiture, a show that’s bound to appeal to a wide-ranging audience. But RECOGNIZE! isn't only about trying to bring a younger audience to a museum......

For our purposes, the definition of hip-hop will be broader than it’s typically constructed, and will include R&B, soul, certain electronic, or whatever else is deemed appropriate by the author. It's shaping up to be a slow week in hip-hop. If you know of something else happening, please mention it in the comment section. WEDNESDAY: >> A free screening of Byron Hurt’s acclaimed Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats & Rhymes will happen at American University’s Wechsler Theatre......

For our purposes, the definition of hip-hop will be broader than it’s typically constructed, and will include R&B, soul, certain electronic, or whatever else is deemed appropriate by the author. WEDNESDAY: >>Well, we told you yesterday about the Lupe Fiasco show being sold out. Maybe if you hang outside the 9:30 Club before the 9 p.m. start you can catch a deal. Otherwise, you know the drill. THURSDAY: >>For the second week in a row,......

WEDNESDAY: >>Flex Mathews’ Goodwill Ink brings together some of the area’s best for this mid-week hip-hop affair at the Velvet Lounge. Slated to participate are Oddisee, W. Ellington Felton, and Roddy Rod, among others. 8 p.m., $7. THURSDAY: >>It’s been over a decade since DJ Shadow (pictured to the right) released the groundbreaking Endtroducing… album, which almost single-handedly elevated sampling to an art form. Cut Chemist (pictured to the left) made his name as a......