Blessings in the beat

A little over a month back, I stated my intentions for The Shine in terms of its dedication to local coverage of deserving talent.

Let it be clear that I just do this because I like to do this. Covering a talented scene, in good times and bad, is my privilege as a writer. So here’s a modified blueprint:

Bi-weekly, I’ll profile an album release or an artist with a timely event going down. One thing at a time, but I plan to cover street art and dance on a similar basis.

And I’m asking for crowd participation. I can’t speak on it if I don’t know about it. Whether you’re an artist, a casual reader, a hip hop fiend, all three or something else altogether – please tell me what you think I should know. Taking that minute makes all the difference for everyone concerned with all this noise goin’ on out here.

An’ it goes a little something like this:

SHINE ON ARTIST: David Hodges

The West Island’s David Hodges is local hip hop’s conscience. The prolific producer, MC, community organizer, teacher, showman and promoter follows 2010’s introspective, concept-driven How to Become a Resilient Garden with a lighter touch: an overtly poppy rap record, lavish with catchy, hit-worthy hooks and easily ingestible rhythms deliberately designed to take the edge off the lyricist’s penchant for deeper thought.

Hip hop struggles daily for its credibility on many battlefields at once: commercial vs. underground; conscious vs. irreverent; a played notion of “real” vs. any variety of callout stating otherwise. One false move and you’re done, no matter what lane you play in.

Hodges has the balls to run through that traffic and the sincerity to thumb his nose at such archaic analyses. His sound has changed but his voice remains the same. While many will surely waste their breath calling out a calculated jump at radio play, Hodges will honestly be going about his business.

David Hodges launches The Honest Man with the Honest Band and guests at MacAllan’s Sports Bar (212 Dorval) on Friday, Sept. 7, 10 p.m. $10 w/ album

VIDEO: This week’s vid is a summer jam from local Clarity featuring singer Maia Leia that deserves a few final spins before it becomes unseasonal. What says “Montreal” better than drankin’ in the park? FYI to newcomers, that fun doesn’t have to stop until early November, usually, and can generally be resumed right after the St. Pat’s parade.
 

 
Here are a few moments to consider taking this week, pride or shame at your discretion.

THURSDAY: Kiss My Bass 2 sounds shamefully appealing, with dubstep, moohmbahcore, drum & bass and glitch-hop taking over the Underworld with booth-rockers Garfilth and Kozy and guests Zimo and Subtone & Stalker. Cabaret Underworld (1403 Ste-Elizabeth), 10 p.m., $5

FRIDAY: Cali word wunderkind Blu returns to Montreal, sharing company with TO’s Notes to Self. Blu’s stoney, dissociated extravaganza with producer/DJ extraordinaire Exile last year was no letdown, but neither was it entirely what you might expect from one of the most engaging MCs in recent history.

Blu makes it no secret his shit gets weird, so fan alert: don’t go in expecting beaming backpackerism. The show is entirely about hearing an ill rapper rap well, live. Blue Dog Motel (3958 St-Laurent), 9 p.m. sharp, $15

SATURDAY: Québec Art Urbain presents Le Coeur en Fête, a benefit for street youth advocacy organizations. Obia le Chef, el Cotola, Aspect Mendoza and many more match heads, hearts and the hard shit. Cabaret Underworld (1403 Ste-Elizabeth), 8 p.m., $10/$15

SUNDAY: Bad Weather, hot off a season of randomly delightful summer appearances, gets ready to make it rain with local vets BluRum13 and Scott C above the clouds. Casa del Popolo (4873 St-Laurent), 8 p.m., $5 ■

Hey Ma and Pa! Shinecultmtl@gmail.com