Legendary producer and MC Warren G will grace Tacoma this weekend, headlining a dope show for any hip-hop head to consume.  Joining the legend on stage will be Tacoma's own Fice, Island Trybe, and EvergreenOne and Todd Sykes with DJ Slimrock - known collectively as City Hall.

One Warren Griffin III, aka Warren G, will gracefully approach the stage at Tacoma's Hell's Kitchen Saturday night, delivering his G-Funk flavor live and in the flesh.  More than an artist, Warren G is an icon, just to put things in perspective. The facilitator that introduced Snoop Dogg to Dr. Dre and the producer behind such tracks as "Indo Smoke," "This DJ" and of course the monster-smash "Regulate" featuring Nate Dogg (get better OG!) will gangsta-boogie through The 253 as only he can. Pay your respects to a living legend.

Warren G recently dropped The G-Files, featuring a classic rap by Raekwon on "100 Miles and Runnin'," and he is still touring in support of the album - which was released independently. Saturday night at Hell's Kitchen Warren G will follow a dope contingent of Tac-Town hip-hoppers - an LBC meets 253 lineup that makes this show easily one of the weekend's best.

Fice is one of your favorite sons - and you might not even know it yet, Tacoma. Having sold out several shows in a row, he describes his live performances in the following way. 

"I want everyone in the place to have fun," Fice exclaims.  "My shows are like a big party, and I try to progress from show to show. I want to grow as an artist.  I hope to get better and better each time." 

Fice's resume speaks for itself. He's been recruited to rock with DJ Semaj, Logics and Geo of Blue Scholars, and he runs with the South Puget Sound's best MCs and crews, including XP, the 2008 25360 MC of The Year.

Born on the Hilltop at St. Joe's and raised in the eastern blocks of Spanaway and Puyallup, Fice was cut from the cloth of classic rock and soul music - shaping an artistic mind that seeks to focus on excellence and improvement all the time. 

"My favorite artist of all time is Al Green," beams Fice.  "Curtis Mayfield, Gladys Knight, Eddie Kendricks and The Jackson Five have influenced me as well." 

Of course, Puyallup is not known as a hip-hop haven, but Fice's childhood included a bit of trouble, which resulted in his expulsion from his beloved Spanaway and relocations to P-Town. "Being in Puyallup was not fun, but it was a blessing in disguise," he says. "My music improved, because I was able to concentrate in Puyallup, where I didn't really have friends."

Despite Puyallup helping to foster Fice's creativity and drive, his geographic passion has always been greater Tacoma - the Parklands, Salishans, Lakewoods, Eastsides, Hilltops and other similarly hardscrabble neighborhoods where he spent significant time with childhood friends. 

"People consider these neighborhoods ‘the hood,' but I was always welcome," says Fice. "I never tried to be something I'm not. I just am who I am, and my friends respect that." 

Those friends - and fans - really gained respect for the humble yet hungry MC with the release of his hit single and video, "Two Five Three" - an ode to the entire area code that he loves.  The song compliments the "'90s Shit" video released earlier this year by his peers, EvergreenOne and Todd Sykes, also on Saturday's bill at Hell's Kitchen. Each video displays the taste, texture and atmosphere of Tacoma's rich diversity and heritage.  Somebody had to do it, right?  Google the videos!

Overall, Fice is convinced people will come to his show with anticipation and leave satisfied.  He promotes fun and unity amongst diverse people - as evident by "Two Five Three" - which showcases the true picture of Tacoma's people - whites, Blacks, Asians, Latinos, Natives. ...

Everybody rocks with Fice. 

With a legend like Warren G rocking the stage, and up and coming talents like Fice, City Hall and Island Trybe representing the best of the Tac-Town, the show is poised to be a memorable one and a must-see for anyone who claims to rep the West Coast.

Warren G

with Fice, Island Trybe and City Hall
Saturday, July 24, 8 p.m., $16-$20
Hell's Kitchen, 928 Pacific Ave., Tacoma
253.759.6003