On THURSDAY (the 8th), Boston indie-pop rockers THE WANDAS join Lincoln’s STALEMATE and the always-entertaining ROZ RASKIN & THE RICE CAKES at the Blackstone (401.726.2181), continuing their weekly freebie series. Something for everyone starts FRIDAY (the 9th) with GAMBLIN’ HANDS (“Yesterday’s News” alone is worth the trip to EG) playing two sets at the Greenwich Hotel (401.884.4200); never a cover and always 21+. On SATURDAY (the 10th) at the Blackstone, a potent triple bill with TALL TALL TREES, GIRL HAGGARD, and WRONG REASONS ($6). Club Hell hosts FORDOES ME QUITE, LI-ONS LIONS, and CAN’T STAND LOSING, and BLIZZARD OF ’78 bring their melodic barroom rock to Billy Goode’s (401.848.5013) in Newport. Pick up the latest TBO78 disc, Book of Lies, for only $1 through the end of the month at tbo.com/dollar. But the biggest news around town is reserved for hip-hop heads, who have been thoroughly entertained this year courtesy of Jerky’s Bar (401.621.2244). Another big weekend kicks off with EL-P and Strange Famous lyricist B. DOLAN on Friday, followed by the legendary DJ PREMIER (!) on Saturday, and Golden Era greats MASTA ACE and EDO G on SUNDAY (the 11th); keeping my fingers crossed for “Brooklyn Battles” from Ace’s ‘89 classic Take a Look Around, arguably the most underrated album of the throwback era. Get there. Also on Sunday, North Smithfield collective BIG TALL BUILDINGS (debut disc Abandon Me Please is a great start), with TICKLEBOMB ORCHESTRA and THE DIRGE CAROLERS at AS220 (401.831.9327). On WEDNESDAY (the 14th), the Speakeasy at Local 121 presents BECKY CHACE, RAINA ROSE, and Georgia girl REBECA LOEBE ($8, 401.274.2121).
Related:
Mixing it up, Beyond Dilla and Dipset, B. Dolan | Fallen House, Sunken City, More 
- Mixing it up
B. DOLAN and SAGE FRANCIS provided memorable highlights at this year’s Rock the Bells in Mansfield; watch the Strange Famous reps slay Jerky’s Bar (401.621.2244) with special guest SLEEP on THURSDAY (the 12th).
- Beyond Dilla and Dipset
With a semi-sober face I'll claim that hip-hop in 2010 might deliver more than just posthumous Dilla discs, Dipset mixtapes, and a new ignoramus coke rapper whom critics pretend rhymes in triple-entendres.
- B. Dolan | Fallen House, Sunken City
Although I've always found B. Dolan to be one of hip-hop's mightiest politically charged performers, his disc-length poetic pieces have confused (and even bored) the piss out of me.
- The Manhattan project
"Was I a coward to abandon the broken down mechanics that crowned Biggie Smalls as the king of Atlantis?" asks Providence-based wordsmith B. Dolan.
- B. Dolan goes where few MCs have gone before
B. Dolan is like Joaquin Phoenix with no safety net and a whole lot more back hair. Unlike Phoenix in last year's faux meta-mockumentary I'm Not Here , the Providence native doesn't shock people for no good reason.
- From I, Destroyer to Dipset
No excuses — something for everyone on FRIDAY (the 11th), including East Bay greats THE PROPELLERS (75or Less Records) playing the New Wave Cafe in New Bedford (508.984.0080).
- Photos: B. Dolan at the Western Front
B. Dolan perform live at the Western Front on February 11, 2011.
- 25 Essential Hip-Hop Acts at SXSW 2011
Before you go coastal on us, let's be clear that this is in no way a slap at rap music's primary metropolitan hubs. The fact is that despite being in Boston, the Phoenix covers as much New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles hip-hop as any paper in America, including some alt-weeklies in those cities.
- Sunday morning rock
Last call for a pair of killer shows THURSDAY (the 4th).
- Cram it all in!
For underground hip-hop heads, it gets no bigger than SEAN PRICE (of Boot Camp Clik and Heltah Skeltah legend) hitting up Fête on THURSDAY (the 9th); only $12 at the door, call 401.383.1112 for ticket availability (don't sleep!).
- B. Dolan rules House of Bees Vol. 2 and Church of Love & Ruin
Mission accomplished for B. Dolan on his latest release, House of Bees Vol. 2 (Strange Famous Records) — he set out to "shatter all expectations conjured by the word 'mixtape.' "
- Less
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New England Music News
, Entertainment, Tall Tall Trees, B. Dolan, More
, Entertainment, Tall Tall Trees, B. Dolan, B. Dolan, Hip-Hop and Rap, Music, Masta Ace, Masta Ace, DJ Premier, DJ Premier, Less
