CMJ. Indie-hip-hop titan Talib Kweli headlines Duck Down's annual CMJ blowout, which brings together such veterans as Black Moon (Buckshot, 5 ft and DJ Evil Dee), gritty Brooklyn pioneers Smif n Wessun, and Brownsville legend Sean Price—one of the last true hardbodies in New York rap, just as liable to spit some smooth rhymes as he is to lyrically smack you upside the head. While they may not be the hottest names right now, it's a solid lineup at a CMJ fest with an inexcusable absence of hip-hop showcases. Thank goodness young, playful BK crew Phony Ppl features on this bill, mixing smooth soul singing with fresh beats and funky bass licks.
