Street arts

When I’m not listening to hip hop, I can assure you without blinking that I’m definitely not listening to Congolese street music.

I appreciate any truly dope rhythm, wherever it comes from, but I know diggers and jazz fanatics who mention Nigerian or Cuban artists the same way Jethro Tull fans reference flute-shredding solos, and I kinda have to stay patient with both, albeit more sincerely with the former.

When something comes and gets me though, much as I like a good fable, it doesn’t matter what the story is. I don’t listen for the hooks. But I’m gonna recommend something I didn’t know shit about until last week, and for the right reasons.

Staff Benda Bilili formed in Kinshasa, Congo, jamming out together on rumba rhythms with their tin instruments to passersby outside the grounds of a zoo. I’d like to think the music stopped them, and I believe it did, but the sight of a band of buskers in wheelchairs probably added to the effect.

Their 2009 recorded debut reportedly made waves overseas, and its follow-up, Bouger le Monde, grooves hard. The band performs next Monday, Oct. 15, at the Rialto Theatre, and while I can’t promise you the moon, I do believe that for live music nuts, this type of thing comes around only so often.

And like Steve King said, sometimes they come back. There’s been a lotta wink-wink, nudge-nudge surrounding the return of a certain karaoke event, one centred on the genre we call “hip hop.”

Hip Hop Karaoke is back at le Belmont this fall, and organizers are putting a hit out on y’all to make with some artwork in a design contest worth telling your weird cousin about.

The original HHK artwork — lifelike portraits of rap icons designed by HHK founder Pat O’Keefe — couldn’t stay taped to a lamppost. So this isn’t about the $100 on the table for the winner, though that is nice, too. What’s cooler is that someone out there, someone not unlike the type of person with the moxie to put it on like Big L at HHK, will have to show raw love to take this thing. Entries are being accepted until Oct. 15. See the full details here.

To borrow a sentiment from Ice T, hip hop photography in Montreal will never die – just multiply. Though this year’s Pop Montreal is now two weeks behind us, hip hop don’t stop. I had the privilege of teaming up with local scene magnates DShade and DJ BuddaBlaze to bring you a glimpse of what popped hard at Pop. Our only regret? Onyx at a three-foot distance scared the life out a battery before a flick could be snapped.

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Here’s what’s in the chamber this week.

Thursday – Big night, lotsa choice. Booty Bakery at le Belmont celebrates a first birthday with a live performance by Alaclair Ensemble with openers DPRST and the BootyBasedMob (Phil Sparkz, Compton Chic and Bongiovanni). Expect plenty of drool and thrown toys.

Tokyo switches colours with Fall Frenzy, as Shash’u and Montrilla take over the booth with real cheap drinks, no cover before midnight and proceeds thereafter going to charity. Be part of the problem and the solution!

At Cabaret Lion d’Or, meanwhile, Montreal o.g. B.U. takes the stage for a huge show, with a 10-piece backing band and several special guests. B.U.’s name takes me back but this sounds like a great move forward.

Friday – It’s a no-brainer: Beat prophet Flying Lotus spreads his ample wings over the SAT.

Saturday – Man your station at Underworld, where Battle of the Nerds meets End of the Weak. Many a jab shall be thrown, so look here for the full list of participating bullies.

At Vinyl, Canicule Tropicale keeps it sunny with special guest Andy Williams joining Philippe Noel, Kobal and Sugarface Nene.

And back at le Belmont, Lexis and his party-on-wheels Music Is My Sanctuary celebrates a birthday with Scott C and friends.

Tuesday – With any luck, I’ll have this guy on the phone to find out a thing or two between now and the show, but be it known that hip hop destroyer Waka Flocka Flame is bringing his Friends & Family tour to Telus Theatre. ■

Seven-five…shinecultmtl@gmail.com