"I realized that my whole career was reliant on good samples," says RJD2. "It seemed to me, right then and there, that it was a horrible way to sustain making records."

Tyler Gibbons can pinpoint the moment he realized he and his wife, Robin McArthur, should make music together.

"I wanted to head to this big ol' soul city," says taragirl. "I believed that what I had — and have — to offer as an artist was not quite like anyone else."

With his debut, And You Are?, released in late 2006, Jake Lefco answers the question without addressing it, harking back to the days of head-nodding beats, classic scratches and entertaining lyrics.

Seven songs in their repertoire. Six shows under their belt. Five tracks on their EP. Four months since their first show. Three ladies. (Two sisters.) One dude. And GANG is ready for launch.

"Philly never really got the b-boy thing," says DJ Skeme. "It was here in the mid-'80s and from there it kinda died out. Now the upcoming generation is watching the DVDs and becoming interested in it."

Sure, we can go on about how heavy metal and 20th-century classical had a baby and called it Normal Love, but the kid's eyes look sneakingly similar to the mailman's (the mailman being jazz, I guess).

"I'm part of the hip-hop generation. I want to be a valid contributor. But I don't wanna spit 16 and just be all whack."

Most people would not be happy to watch their piano and their house go up in flames. But the main character in The Swimmers' song "All the New Sounds" is at peace, almost grateful when it happens.

There are a few things you'll pick up on when talking to David "Dave P." Pianka, Philadelphia's primary proponent of "cocainesexjamspartytrainanthemsbeautifulrainbowssparklemotionnitemusicbangers."

The release of Peace Is Burning Like a River is just part of what's shaping up to be a gigantic year for Brian McTear and Amy Morrissey.

Why the state should commute more prison sentences.

by William DiMascio

Last week, someone asked me if my job as the editor of this paper ever influenced my novels. How could it not?

by Duane Swierczynski

Absolution for slavery arrives one person at a time.

by Bruce Schimmel

What You Say

Don Juan (nee Salerolli), an artist at Philadelphia Eddie's Tattoo Shop, likes to say, "If you don't have any bad tattoos, you ain't shit."

For the next few months, Philly's mayoral race will be in your face with one burning question: Who will represent this city? But we thought we'd let you ponder something completely different during this mad month of madness: What person, place, thing, group or concept best represents this city?

Running Numbers lampoons Philly's neighbors. Just because.

I'm more tore down than the Civic Center and twice as imploded inside. Not because the networks'll cancel Knights of Prosperity while giving It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia another go-round, but because Tony Sparacino died last week.

There is a quick way to piss off activists protesting mass-transit service cuts: Just ask if they work for SEPTA.

When news breaks in Philadelphia, we make jokes.

Gaming opponent

Will Philly's new boss be the same as the old boss?

by Brian Hickey

Bob Brady and the LGBT community.

by Mary F. Patel

Why and how Tom Knox hsa come from nowhere to second place in the mayoral race

by Anonymous

At-large City Council candidate, Democrat

by Brian Hickey

What will you do to make School District of Philadelphia school libraries effective, instead of underfunded, understaffed or closed?

Choreographer Matt Neenan puts a fresh spin on a popular ballet.

by Deni Kasrel

Crystal Pepsi; The Hold Steady; Molcajete Mixto; The New York Times Crossword Puzzle

Is the pairing of glass and ceramics at the Art Alliance a sign of things to come?

by Robin Rice

Victor Auijada's Rubberdance turned what could have been a misguided mishmash into a deft blend of urban, contemporary and classical dance.

by Deni Kasrel

Nora Ephron and Marvin Hamlisch's Imaginary Friends seems like a lost gem on paper. Onstage, it's just lost.

by Mark Cofta

citypaper.net EXCLUSIVE: You can't read Carlos Eire's memoir — and this year's "One Book" — in Cuba.

by Mickey Jou

Thu.-Sat., March 8-10, Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 3680 Walnut St.

by Deni Kasrel

Tue., March 13, 8 p.m., Wed., March 14, 6:30 p.m., through March 25, 1812 Productions' Rehearsal Studio, 421 N. Seventh St.

by Mark Cofta

Thu., March 8, 7 p.m., free, Starbucks Coffee, Fourth and South streets

by Mickey Jou

Thu.-Fri., March 8-9, 8 p.m.; Sat., March 10, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sun. and Wed., March 11 and 14, 8 p.m., through March 25, Mainstage at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St.

by Steve Cohen

Baldeck gallery talk, Thu., March 15, 5:30 p.m. exhibit runs through March 18, Moore College of Art & Design, 20th St. and Ben Franklin Parkway

by John Vettese

A Good Look at Boney Kern; David Graham: Alone Together; Jina Valentine: Dark Matters

102.9 WMGK Classic Rock Art Show

Radical Living Papers: Alternative Underground Publications and Art (1960-1975)

by Mary Wilson

Lectures in Song: Rodgers and Hammerstein

by Erin Brodbeck

Galleries are usually open Tuesdays through Saturdays; please call the gallery for exact days and hours. Receptions are denoted with Reception

Museums and exhibits have varying schedules; please call for exact days, hours and prices. ABINGTON ART CENTER , 515 Meetinghouse Rd., Jenkintown, 215-887-4882. 2ND SOLO

Please call the phone number listed with the venue for specific dates, times and ticket information. dance CARMINA BURANA & SERENADE PA Ballet presents the

ADAM LEVINE The local author signs his new book, "A Guide to Great Gardens of the Philadelphia Region." Sat, March 10, 5pm; Thu, March 15,

"Old people have always said that an animal which kills a human should be torn limb from limb."

Zack Snyder's adaptation of Frank Miller's graphic novel is pro-war only as much as Grand Theft Auto is pro-killing prostitutes; i.e., whatever gets the fanboys drooling in their seats. Don't think so much.

As foreman at the Milano Fiat factory, Nino Badalamenti (Alberto Sordi) is efficient and proud, outfitted with a lab coat and clipboard.

Send repertory film listings to tami.fertig@citypaper.net. AMBLER THEATER 108 E. Butler Ave., Ambler, 215-345-7855, www.amblertheater.org. Robert Altman Revisited CP film critic Sam Adams shows clips

Although the Portland, Ore., band has kept its well-earned indie credibility, The Blow is moving closer than ever to the dance-friendly side of the aisle.

Peter Burwasser on Classical

by Peter Burwasser

citypaper.net EXCLUSIVE: "Come Out (Come Down, Fade Out, Be Gone)"

Sun., March 11, 4 p.m., Trinity Center for Urban Life, 22nd and Spruce streets

by Peter Burwasser

Fri., March 9, reception 7 p.m., concert 8 p.m., free, Powel House, 244 S. Third St.

by Shaun Brady

You won't find many Philly chefs willing to highlight turnips, cabbage, parsnips and kale on a menu that barely tops a dozen dishes.

Volunteering to cover the first Philly Craft Beer Festival seemed like a good idea at the time.

by Will Dean

And you may find yourself at the Dunkin' Donuts on Broad and Christian. And you may find yourself flabbergasted at the bizarre choices on the menu, like flatbread sandwiches and pizzas. And you may ask yourself, well, how did I get here, to this weird "new concept" flagship DD project? The flatbread sammies come in three chee, ham 'n' chee and turkey, bacon 'n' chee varieties. My God, what have they done?

Atlantic City Beer Festival, Cooking with Lance Silverman and more.

by Elisabeth Holm

From Flan to Tart to Key Lime

by Termeh Mazhari

It's Where We Drink

by Will Dean

The truth about Janeane Garofalo

by Lisa Tauber

Ethics in International Adoption workshop

by Lisa Tauber

Big Fun for Little Ones

by Linnay Trail

Kidney Ball

by Monica Weymouth

Philadelphia Mr. Gay

by Monica Weymouth

Surgery and Soda Tour

by Erin Brodbeck

The Scarface Date

by Monica Weymouth