FRIDAY: >> It’s been over six years since he last had a properly released album, but crooner Bilal (left) has still managed to catch people’s attention with some of his latest material. Too bad it was illegally leaked and now his label is threatening never to let the refined product see the light of day. Regardless, his Black Cat performance should be noteworthy. 9 p.m., $22. >> We’ve told you about Deleted Scenes many times…

Today’s kids probably think rappers have always been purveyors of commercial goods. 50 Cent has Vitamin Water. Diddy and Burger King are partners. Common probably even folds every shirt at The Gap. However, there was a time when rappers weren’t viable salespeople because their music wasn’t reaching a broad segment of the population. In 1990, a Bay Area entertainer who went by the moniker MC Hammer helped set rap on track to be a cultural…

DCist was sad to learn that funk superstar Rick James passed away of “natural causes” earlier today. He will be remembered for his innovative and catchy “Super Freak,” and his recent cameo on Comedy Central’s “Chapelle’s Show”. According to Billboard magazine, he was in talks with Dave Chapelle to convert his autobiography, “Memoirs of a Super Freak” into a film starring Mr. Chapelle as himself. See coverage of of Rick James’ death on our sibling…