Tonight’s show features mano-y-mano performances between MCs from Seattle’s Sportin’ Life Records and Portland’s Focused Noise Records. The show is divided into three sets that include the revolutionary-minded Mic Crenshaw (Focused) versus the party-minded Spaceman (Sportin’), and, for the night’s closer, hipster troublemakers Animal Farm versus the imposing, Biggie-esque D. Black (pictured). The highlight, however, may just be the opening joust pitting Serge Severe against Fatal Lucciauno—but not because of the controversy surrounding local rapper Lucciauno’s recent boot off the Dyme Def show roster at the Croc. Rather, it’s because Severe and Lucciauno have near-dichotomous styles. Both serve heavy doses of swagger, but Severe’s centers on a jazzy-funky sensibility, while Lucciauno is pure street. Let the battle(s) begin.

Sat., May 2, 9 p.m., 2009