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......

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......

Let's not beat around the bush. Radio waves, video channels or whatever other medium we find ourselves receiving music through are cluttered with nonsense, more times than not. The effort required to wade through this audio morass can be daunting, but when that special "something" is found, it's rewarding. Much like her debut album, Moments of Clarity, Wayna's newest release, Higher Ground, displays a level of artistry that's rarely found among the plethora of singers......

From Ethiopia to D.C. and from White House staffer to R&B singer. It goes almost without saying that the story of how Wayna got to the point she's at today is quite unique. But the important thing is that she got here and we're richer for it. On her second release, Higher Ground, Wayna builds off her Moments of Clarity debut to deliver a strong sophomore effort where she explores the themes of love, disappointment......

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......

X: Exene Cervenka, Billy Zoom, Jon Doe, and D.J. Bonebrake, pictured sometime well in advance of their current 31st anniversary tour. As unabashedly retro, amphetamine-spiked rocksoulpunkabilly two-fers go, you’d be hard-pressed to do better than pioneering Los Angeles punkers X, with garage-rock archeologists the Detroit Cobras on the undercard. Billed as X’s 31st anniversary tour, (though their recorded career began with 1980’s Los Angeles) this greasy double bill pulled into the 9:30 Club Wednesday......

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......

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......

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......