Tuesday:
>> The 9th Annual DC Hip-Hop Theater Festival kicks off today with a special performance at the Kennedy Center‘s Millennium Stage. In a demonstration of the fine hip-hop art of turntablism, the Bronx’s DJ Rockin’ Rob and DMC USA Supremacy Champion, DJ I-Dee, will be performing with local producer and Grammy nominee, Kokayi, hosting. Free, 6 p.m.

Wednesday:
>> Electro, soul, R&B and hints of indie rock are just a few of the musical elements that comprise J*Davey‘s sound. The L.A.-based duo of Jack Davey and Brook D’Leau return to D.C. for a show at Liv with Baltimore’s Maimouna Youssef. $18 in advance/$22 at the door, 7:30 p.m.

Friday:
>> In what’s becoming a July tradition around these parts, local hip-hop artists pay homage to late, great Detroit producer/emcee, James “Jay Dee/J Dilla” Yancey. Serving as part musical tribute and part issue awareness campaign, Talib Kweli, Jon Laine and The Players, Grap Luva, Diamond District, Alison Carney, J. Sands and several others are slated to perform at the Black Cat. $15 in advance/$20 at the door, 9 p.m.

Saturday:
>> As a part of D.C.’s first Africa Festival, brothers (and DJs) Damu and Underdog will be spinning some event-appropriate tunes at the Takoma Community Center (4th Street NW and Whittier Street NW at Van Buren Street NW). Free, 12 p.m.

>> Another DC Hip-Hop Theater Festival event, “The Freshest of All-Time” is a day-long b-boy battle featuring crews from all along the East Coast. It’ll take place at the Columbia Heights Youth Club. Free, 2 p.m.