Hip Hop Dopeness At Echoplex (Tomorrow) and On Conan (Tonight)

As part of his promotional tour for the hugely acclaimed self produced "Cancer 4 Cure" album - El-P is making a stop at Echoplex on Thursday night for a special Check Yo Ponytail 2 performance that also includes MC's Killer Mike, Mr. Muthafuckin Exquire and Despot.

El-P - the MC, producer, co-owner of Def Jux, entrepreneur extraordinaire with plenty of skin in the game - really brought it with his latest release, which includes hard cuts like "The Full Retard" (see below).   You can sample the potential of his live show by tuning into Conan O'Brien tonight on TBS at 11 PM to see him perform "Works Every Time" with guest vocals from Zola Jesus.

SUPERGOOD strongly endorses just picking up tickets to the event because the line-up is pretty f'ing hot with Killer Mike, Exquire and Despot all hitting the stage as well.  Killer Mike's new record R.A.P. (also produced by El-P) features punishing, aggressive flows that are a departure from candy top 40 rap, Exquire was probably the second most buzzed about hip-hop artist at SXSW 2012 and Despot's show is nothing to shy away from either.  Get your tickets for the Echoplex show here - must be 18 or older.

Das Roxy

Had the privilege of attending a near capacity Das Racist and Danny Brown show on Thursday night at the esteemed Roxy. While it may not have been the most epic show I've ever seen there - the eclectic hip-hop group brought their unique energy and lyrics to the stage, all draped with ethnically diverse swag.

With swirling Bart Simpson visuals and lots of movement on stage, you may have thought you or the act was on drugs. While I can't confirm or deny the latter - the visual frenzy and frenetic energy excited the crowd - which was packed in to absorb the stylings of Heems, Kool A.D. and Dap. My favorite was, of course, "You Oughta Know" with the Billy Joel sample. Clearly its not on Relax, their official commercial release which dropped on September 13, 2011, but a handful of the material was including "Power" - the song that featured touring mates Danny Brown and Despot.

Das Racist still is growing as a performance group - but their chemistry is apparent and they're clearly having fun. If you missed them this week - don't sleep on them next time as I'm sure it will be another amazing line-up.

You can buy Relax on CD or vinyl here.

For other upcoming stacked hip-hop shows - consider Method Man, Curren$y and Big Krit tonight at The Music Box and DJ Abilities, Binary Star (Reunion Show!) and Kosha Dillz with support from Azad Right, E-Train and Jayk Gallagher at The Viper Room on Tuesday. Tickets for that can be found here.

Theophilus London Plays Free Show Tonight; Other Hip-Hop In Town

If your Thursday night is still open, then consider yourself lucky because, the Avalon is the place to be and you are invited free of charge. Chegg, Live Nation, and College Battle proudly present the Textbooks and Tickets tour featuring live performances by Theophilus London (in video below), MNDR, Milkman, college battle finalist Rozzi Crane and more special guests. Adding even more fuel to this night of exceptional hip-hop are DJ sets by Ben Oprstu and Burn Unit.

I've been told by respected concert goers that Theophilus has really amped up his game and his live show has improved - so we're going to give him another shot. MNDR is fun and we'll withhold judgment on the rest until we catch their show. If you can't make it to Avalon - or are looking for something at a smaller venue - The Dean's List plays Key Club and Das Racist, Danny Brown and Despot are at The Roxy tonight.

For free admission, make sure to RSVP/ Doors open at 8pm