PAUL SCHRAG: HIP-HOP WEDNESDAY >>>

Head-to-head hip-hop shows tomorrow is a testament to claims that Tacoma hip-hop is coming alive.

First up is Fresh Blends at Hell’s Kitchen with Todd Sykes, Josh Rizeberg, Alpha P and Dragonfish Killswitch. The second in a series of regular mix-and-match, hip-hop shows, this week’s Fresh Blends offers up Tacoma beatsmith and emcee Todd Sykes, Tacoma rhyme pioneer Josh Rizeberg, Seattle underground cabal Alpha P and turntable Frankenstein Dragonfish Killswitch. True to its name, this Fresh Blends promises to showcase some of the Northwest’s hungriest underground talent. Between Sykes’s dirty grooves, Rizeberg’s silky-smooth aggro anthems, Alpha P’s infinitely morphing mind benders, and Dragonfish Killswitch’s spaced-out scratch epics, this show is likely to twist your head around Linda Blair style.

Also Wednesday, The Cave at PLU will host One-Be-Lo, Macklemore, Can-U, 10th and Commerce and DJ Reign. One-Be-Lo gets to Tacoma more than just about any underground emcee. The former One-Man-Army is always nice. Def Poetry Jam founder Bruce George once said the Macklemore is “Common and Eminem personified.” The Seattle emcee is neck deep in a new album, give thanks and praise. Also on deck are Tacoma pioneer Can-U and upstarts 10th & Commerce, who have a new EP that sounds pretty fresh.

[Hell’s Kitchen, Fresh Blends with Todd Sykes, Josh Rizeberg, Alpha P and Dragonfish Killswitch. Wednesday, May 7, 9 p.m., $3, 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]
[The Cave at Pacific Lutheran University, One-Be-Lo, Macklemore, Can-U, 10th and Commerce and DJ Reign, Wednesday, May 7, 9 p.m., all ages, $5 or free for PLU students, Garfield Street South and Park Avenue South, Tacoma/Parkland]