CMJ Goes Hip-Hop Global

On Monday, my esteemed colleague Nisha Gopalan offended some readers by insinuating that Canada is not a hotbed for rap talent. Later that same day, I posted an item that made light of a compilation of South African hip-hop artists. Lest you think we Blender bloggers too xenophobic when it comes to beats and rhymes, I will spend some valuable blog real estate on CMJ’s “Global Hip-Hop Throwdown” taking place in NYC tonight.

The event, emcee’d by indie-rap fave Pharaohe Monch, features a host of rappers and musicians claiming origins as diverse as Ghana, Haiti, France, and, yes, Canada. (Listed as going from 8 pm to 3 am, the showcase promises to be one of those extended CMJ affairs that only a college-age aspiring music journalist can stand through.)
Despite their various heritages, several of the evening’s performers seem to have the United States as their base of operations, and their music reflects American influences. Ghanaian rapper Blitz the Ambassador has an unmistakable Blackthought/Roots vibe. And Chachi, who hails from Cape Verde by way of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, will undoubtedly thrill fans of Slum Village and Little Brother.
I'm still hopelessly soothed by the lounge-y trip-hop sound of acts like Nightmares on Wax, Bonobo, and Beanfield, so, for me, tonight’s highlight would certainly be Korean instrumentalist DJ Soulscape. Okay, so the name’s a little obvious, but judging from the tracks on his webpage, he’s bound to have a decent, if decidedly downbeat set. Unfortunately, I won’t be there to hear it. (See above parenthetical about 8 pm to 3 am.)