Tuesday:
>> A release party for the “U Know Nando” mixtape will be held tonight at Bohemian Caverns, featuring Lyriciss, The Five One and a host of other local emcees. $10, 8 p.m.
>> Atlanta alt-soul artist and Howard University alum Kev.O will be performing at Ben’s Next Door. Free, 9 p.m.
Wednesday:
>> With a lot of buzz around them, Sweden’s Little Dragon is coming back to town for a show at Liv. Joining them will be VV Brown, a British singer whose R&B throwback style has been compared to Amy Winehouse. $18 in advance, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday:
>> Grammy-winner Alicia Keys has been in the limelight for a decade now, hence her ability to book a show at the Verizon Center. Her “The Element of Freedom” tour includes two other R&B stars, Robin Thicke and Melanie Fiona. $55-$128, 7:30 p.m.
>> The “Afro-Beat for Ya Soul” party celebrates its one year anniversary in its own funky fashion. Along with regular DJ Underdog, the festivities will include Brooklyn-based band Ikebe Shakedown. The evening’s venue is Bossa. $5, 9 p.m.
Friday:
>> “Art, Beats + Lyrics” is entering its sixth year as a traveling urban arts exhibit. With well over 30 artists on display, the program will take place at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. Free, 7 p.m.
>> Paying homage to one of D.C.’s fallen dance clubs, “Red Fridays” intends to be a weekly event featuring house music. DJs Meistro and Deep Sang will provide the sounds at one of the city’s newest venues, the U Street Music Hall. $10, 9 p.m.
Saturday:
>> The documentary film Copyright Criminals (pictured) delves into the tricky world of hip-hop, sampling and copyright law. In it, the filmmakers talk with the likes of De La Soul, Digital Underground and George Clinton about the idea of who owns a sound. A screening is planned at the Historical Society of Washington (801 K Street NW) as part of the Hip Hop Cinema Cafe series, and followed by a panel discussion featuring local attorneys and artists. Free, 2 p.m.
>> Making up for their snowed-out show Valentine’s Day weekend, Lalah Hathaway, Rahsaan Patterson, Wayna and Gordon Chambers will be at Constitution Hall. $65, 7 p.m.
>> One of the new kids on the hip-hop block, Pittsburgh native Wiz Khalifa, will take the 9:30 Club‘s stage. Joining him will be Jasmine Solano and Yelawolf. $15, 7 p.m.
>> Writing, singing and married partners Ashford and Simpson will bring their decades of musical collaboration to the Birchmere. $65, 7:30 p.m.
