This week in hip-hop: Cuban culture at Tropicalia, Fat Trel, Close 2 the Edge party, and more.

The District’s own Oddisee makes a homecoming appearance, Eve makes up a previous rescheduled performance and Amel Larrieux makes an appearance at The Howard Theatre this week.

This week in hip-hop: Chuck Brown’s birthday celebration, Dru Hill, Goodie Mob, and more.

This week in hip-hop: A collaboration by El-P and Killer Mike, and more.

Pete Rock, American Idol winner Fantasia and Kurtis Blow highlight this week in hip-hop.

This Fortnight in Hip-Hop takes you all the way into 2013 with shows by The Roots, Questlove, Wale, Melanie Fiona and George Smallwood.

This week in hip-hop: Andrew Morgan and Beautiful Swimmers, the Poetry of Hip-Hop, Substantial, Juicy J, and more.

This week in hip-hop: Big K.R.I.T., Soul Call Paul, Philadelphia’s Rich Medina, and the “Axel F” party at Liv.

Wednesday: >> Vocalist Alice Smith (pictured) spent enough years in the District for us to consider her a D.C. artist. Now based in New York, the Grammy nominee made a name for herself on her solo debut, For Lovers, Dreamers & Me. She’ll be at the Birchmere with local rapper on the rise, Tabi Bonney. $25, 7:30 p.m. >> The “Rap Leagues” series will be featuring a slew of emcees tonight, including X.O. and…

Tuesday: >> DJs Roddy Rod and 2-Tone Jones will pit two heroes of hip-hop’s golden era against one another during their “Rakim vs. Big Daddy Kane” set at the Red Lounge. $5, 9 p.m. Thursday: >> Oakland-based songstress Ledisi picked up Grammy nods in 2007 and has been moving forward ever since. Her show at the BIrchmere, which was rescheduled from January, is sold out but Craigslist might be able to help out in…