Background Noise Crew (CD-Release)

A name like "Background Noise Crew" might seem kind of self-effacing, but it's accurate in at least one sense: this recently-established local hip hop collective's been rocking shows around town so frequently they might as well be part of the scenery. What time they haven't been spending mastering their craft onstage has been presumably spent in the studio, since the crew's new comp Everybody Does This Vol. 1 reveals a dedication to quality hip hop over a wide range of personalities and styles: there's the deluxe shit-talk of ToneKrusher Smith, the classic underground poetic abstraction of T.Q.D. and Phingaz (who collaborate as Green Sketch), the smooth, R&B-infused drama of Status Reign, and the versatility of Analyrical, who covers all those bases and more. Come early to catch some other local hip hop notables, including Carnage, the Watchmen and Kanser's Big Zach, before sticking around for these heirs apparent. They deserve some time in the foreground.
Fri., Jan. 23, 9 p.m., 2009