Also this issue: Underdog Night DJ Cosmo Baker's hip-hop Remedy night turns 5. -Sean O’Neal Indie Blastoff -Ainé Ardron-Doley Very Emergency Facing illness and boredom, The Promise Ring changes its pace. -Chris Parker Billy Bob Thornton -A.D. Amorosi Groovin' and Pickin' -Mary Armstrong

May 23-29, 2002

beat box

Hip-Hop Happenings

by Ain� Ardron-Doley

As if Tha PhilliBlaze, the Def Jux show and The Remedy’s Industrial-Strength Five-Year Anniversary aren’t enough to put the diehard party head on bed rest, Philly follows Busta’s popular refrain, “Gimme some mo!” this Memorial Day weekend.

In La Tazza's downstairs lounge, DJ Bane One serves up his monthly dosage of funk, hip-hop, a lil' R&B and dance musik! Thu., May 23, La Tazza, 108 Chestnut St., 215-922-7322, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., $5.

Just Dif presents Harmony, a party hosted by MC Reality, with live mic-checkin' from MC Sharpness, Jesse James and Scatterbrain; two-step by Hen Loc and V-Era; D&B from Lil Versace and Mike Ruckus; and decks courtesy of Anotha Black DJ. Fri., May 24, La Tazza, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., $5.

Stef Tataz and Dirty Sanchez present lyricist and producer J-Zone, while DJ Contakt and Botany 500 spin true hip-hop and rare grooves. Sat., May 25, Proto Lounge, 125 S. Second St., 10 p.m.-2 a.m., $5.

The Soul Sanctuary and Inner City Live host a live stage with Tangible Truth and LaTrese. Sat., May 25, Soul Sanctuary, 722 Arch St., 9 p.m.-2 a.m., $10.

Speaking of... The Soul Sanctuary Sensei DJ Battle swings into action with the city's most ready-to-battle turntable technicians going head to head. Sun., May 26, Soul Sanctuary, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., $10.

Or Don't Fake the Funk presents Mix It Up: DFTF Eight-Year Anniversary, with four different rooms to kick it in. The main floor boasts King Britt, Dozia and Summerjoy --they'll house you. In the Babylon Lounge, it's dub reggae with Major Taylor, Rob Paine and Zacharijah. Hip-hop and funk rock the Players Grotto, as a clash of the cosmic ones (Cosmo Baker and Cozmic Cat) set the tables lovely. Jojo Flores and Rich Medina rotate the sounds of the Afrorikan with jazzy house in the Therapy room. Sun., May 26, Locust Club, 1616 Locust St., 9 p.m.-2 a.m., $10.

Remember Blaze magazine? Yeah, it bit the dust within a year, but the infamous Blaze Battle is back after a two-year absence. Now it's time to show the world how blazing you are on the mic. For more information and submission guidelines, please contact Raymond O'Neal at

roneal@nuamericaagency.com

. It all goes down July 9 at N.Y.’s Hammerstein Ballroom.

If you were not at The Illadelph Xperiment, you missed the party of the year. Jumpin’, jumpin’. May’s been poppin’, eh? Say word. Word.