WHOA >>>

It is the weekend again! It looks like there'll be some extra cool stuff going on in Tacoma. Here is what I suggest as far as hip-hop and the 253 go. ...

Tonight at the Temple Theater, none other than Andre Nickatina will be rocking the house. Nickatina has a cult-like following. It is almost on the Mac Dre tip, but not quite.  Andre is bringing Mistah F.A.B. from the Bay with him. F.A.B. has a highly polished live show. He is a true MC. His showmanship, comedy, show-skits and freestyle flows are some of the top in the game. Local M.C. Puget from Olympia is also slated to open, along with some artists. The doors open at 7 and the show starts at 8 p.m. It looks like there is even an after-party with DJ Luvva J spinning. So, the night should be a true party. The Temple Theater does not host a lot of hip-hop shows, but when they do, the town comes out and it is a sight to see. Tickets are $35 at the door.

The fun continues with big shows Saturday. At 1 p.m. at the Backstage Bar & Grill on the west end of Sixth Avenue, Upper Echelon - the latest Alliance Battle League extravaganza - will go down. There is a host of battles on deck featuring some of the top area battlers set to spit it out. These Saturday all-ages events have become some of the biggest and most well attended hip-hop shows our city has to offer. If ya have not experienced an A.B.L. battle yet, quit sleeping!

If I had to name a Rookie-of-the-Year for 2012, it would have been Sky Pilot. The group's buzz got pretty darn big and they managed to breakthrough to the Seattle scene - something that is not easy. Sky Pilot is having its album release show Saturday at El Corazon in Seattle. It is $10 advance and $12 at the door. Sky Pilot can bend genres with the best of them. This show looks like it is more on the rock tip, so go check out this unique, interesting show.

S.P. is always grinding right and hard. His "We Out Here Showcase" has been active again. Check it out at Club M.I.D.A.S. in Chehalis. The showcase begins at 8 p.m. The cover is $10. It is all-ages too. There is a full line up of great battles and performances. Do not miss Patron and Sav Nightz, in particular. These cats are hella-busy out there doing their thing.

Saturday, the choices just keep coming. At The Loch's in downtown Tacoma, California legend Rappin 4 Tay is back. He has a good network going with Tom Hutch and P.M.E., as this is at least the second or third time they have brought up the Bay-Area MC. Tim-Me, MC Controversy and $krilla, as well as others, will be on hand to host and open. Show is $15 before 9:30 p.m. and $20 after, so get there early.

The most affordable show, and it could be the sleeper show of the night, is the Juice Radio's 7^th Anniversary show in Tacoma. The radio show celebrated its anniversary last weekend in Seattle with Q-Dot and Bruce Leroy. This show brings ya'll Bryce Bowden, Heather Gin, Ol Small and Beanz & Rize. This show is an eclectic mix up of different styles. There is boom-bap hip-hop, R&B and dance music on the bill. So come and get diverse with us. Show starts at 9 p.m. and is only $5.

Sunday, hit the Graffiti Garages at 1 p.m. for yo usual slice of live underground hip-hop culture. Sunday night, at 8 p.m., at Tacoma's California Club, Rappin 4 Tay will be on-hand for a meet-and-greet. There will be local performers vying for a 4 Tay collaboration. If ya want a piece of that action, hit-up Tom Hutch to get on the bill. Peace Family!

LINK: What's The Word? hip-hop column featuring ILLFIGHTYOU