Also this issue: Aimless by Design Indie elders Yo La Tengo finally get their day in the Sun. -Sam Adams Prcss of Elimination Estranged rock band converges on Philly and drops the vowels. -Maura Johnston Klasik Sundayz -Ainé Ardron-Doley Levon Helm & The Barn Burners -Nicole Pensiero The Postal Service -Paul Burress Dave Holland Quintet -Kyle Parker Assemblage 23 -Helen Thompson Kevin Burke -Mary Armstrong

April 17-23, 2003

beat box

compiled by Ainé Ardron-Doley

Say what? The Beat Box is brimming.

Wanna see what the Jigga man looks like up close and in person? Stand in line at the chic new RBK store while Jay-Z takes over for the launch of his new kicks, the S. Carter. And yes, it’s the first time a non-athlete has ever had signature sneaks. Thu., April 17, 4 p.m. (stop by between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. for a free wristband), RBK, 414 South St., 215-923-3471.

It's another sweaty dance-floor feel-good jam as the waxmen of the Ill Vibe Collective and Stef Tataz host Soul Clap. Expect gems like Masta Ace's "Sittin' On Chrome" and KRS-One's "The Emcee." Fri., April 18, 10 p.m., $5, Fluid, 613 S. Fourth St., 215-629-0565. Or keep it moving with rhymin' duo Unison and Rowdee Black Giants, an Irish rock band fronted by two West Philly MCs. Now if that's not intriguing, what is? Check 'em at

www.n-progress.com

. Fri., April 18, 9 p.m., $5, women free before 11 p.m., Olive Branch, 38 S. 19th St., 215-636-0804.

Saturday night is a banger. Looking to get super buck-freak-nasty-wild? It’s 2 Live Crew alongside an equally ridiculous act, Insane Clown Posse. Sat., April 19, 8:30 p.m., $22-$25, The Electric Factory, Seventh and Willow sts., 215-336-2000. Or see and be seen at Beautiful Beginnings. The flier beckons the "trendsetters and tastemakers" and warns "no tan work boots." If that’s your style, join the valet-parking crowd at this monthly hip-hop, funk, soul and reggae bash spun by wax king DJ Brendan. Sat., April 19, 10:30 p.m.-2 a.m., $5 before 11 p.m., $10, Circa, 1518 Walnut St., 215-768-9991, e-mail

beautifulpeeps@hotmail.com

for free e-passes. Or slide over to another Squarebiz production. Sweet Tooth, the monthly extra-special-guest DJ night, turns up the heat with DJ Tony Touch. Spinning alongside Mr. Toca is the ever-capable resident DJ Mike Nyce. Sat., April 19, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., open bar 9-11 p.m., $20, $15 after 11 p.m., Fluid,

squarebizdishes@aol.com

.

Don’t miss Klasik Sundayz. See Musicpicks, p. 39.

From underground dance hall to dub to hip-hop, it’s all on the decks as DJs Paul Edwards, Duophone, dev79 and Saint B spin Current. Tue., April 22, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., $3, Silk City, Fifth and Spring Garden sts., 215-922-8157.

Let’s call it a week, but not before we talk about last Wednesday’s show at The Five Spot. Why were Chief Kamachi and Baby Blak on stage for mere minutes while the other artists on the bill never hit the stage at all? Instead, Dice Raw took the mic and thinned out the crowd. Some advice: Next time, let the MCs that show up really rock the mic right.