Nashville Fringe Festival

AL-D and E.T.’s Meant for the Milk Crate hip-hop showcase series is approaching its fifth anniversary, so it’s likely most Nashvillians know what’s up by now. But maybe you’re here on vacation, or just moving to town. First of all, welcome, and second, you really wanna check this out. Your hosts are two outstanding rappers who’ve been known to spit a rhyme or three during the course of the evening, and they’ve got DJ Vamp on the decks, who makes the art of keeping the beat look easy. Four choice MCs are the featured guests for this installment: Music City’s Brian Brown, who’s been building up his already-strong following with new tracks from his forthcoming full-length Journey; also-local duo Out Here Boys, aka Sofa Brown and Evan Blocker, who’ve released two volumes of their athletic Move or Get Moved EP series this year; Memphis’ Tyke T, who slides between styles and voices like a chameleon changes colors; and Weston, whose lack of an internet presence is all the more reason to see him in the flesh. Really want your mind blown? Come early or stay late for the Olympic-level verbal gymnastics on display during the open-mic cyphers before and after the main show. STEPHEN TRAGESER, Nashville Scene