By Daniel Jumpertz
Special to DNAinfo
We're getting spoiled this week with some of the biggest and most influential hip hop heroes rolling into town for long-awaited shows. Sage Francis, the first hip-hop artist to sign with the punk-rock label Epitaph, brings his raw, folk infused tales to Irving Plaza while Lupe Fiasco hits the Terminal 5 stage behind "Lasers," his first album in four years. Rising star Frank Ocean (from LA collective OFWGKTA) is also in town, playing The Bowery Ballroom. And the pièce de résistance is Monday and Tuesday when Jay-Z & Kanye West's "Watch The Throne" roadshow lights up the big stage at Madison Square Garden.
Wednesday November 2
Stylish lo-fi posters The Drums have a great new album called "Portamento." On it they blend a modish '60s aesthetic with crisp analog drum sounds and snaky doubled guitar lines. In support is the stylistic chameleon Patrick Cleandenim. Raised in Lawrence, Kansas, his third album "Radio Heartbreak" is inspired by rock & roll, R&B, soul, disco and glam. At The Bowery.
Also tonight: In a dancing mood? Try Soulwax and Tiga at Webster Hall.
Thursday November 3
St. Vincent with Cate Le Bon at Webster Hall. St Vincent is multi-instrumentalist singer songwriter Annie Clark. Annie grew up in Texas, started playing guitar at 12 and was briefly a member of the sprawling ensemble The Polyphonic Spree and Sufjan Steven's backing band. Her third album, "Strange Mercy" was recently a top 20 hit in the USA. Cate Le Bon is a melancholic and idiosyncratic folk singer from Wales. Following a string of club night shows in London, Cate caught the attention of Super Furry Animals front man Gruff Rhys who, over a cigarette and a glass of brandy, offered her some support slots with his band. She also sings with Gruff's side project Neon Neon - a collaborative band with hip-hop producer Boom Bip.
Also tonight: Frank Turner at The Bowery Ballroom.
Jazz legend Chick Corea celebrates his 70th birthday at Blue Note. (From the November 1 - 27) Shows at 8pm & 10:30 p.m.
Slow Club with Air Waves at the Mercury Lounge
Indie roots-rockers BoDeans celebrate the release of their tenth album "Indigo Dreams" at Irving Plaza.
Friday November 4
Sage Francis was the first hip-hop artist to sign with the punk-rock label Epitaph. He released three albums there, ultimately returning to his own Strange Famous Records. Francis is also part of the contemporary spoken word movement. A talented rapper and wordsmith, he was part of the Providence Poetry Slam national slam teams from 1998 to 2002. His 2001 song "Makeshift Patriot," recorded on October 11, 2001, became a hit for its critique of American media during, and immediately following, the September 11 attacks. At Irving Plaza with New York's Metermaids, legendary DJ Rob Swift of the X-Ecutioners and trail-blazing Canadian female MC Eternia.
Also tonight: Canadian electro-funk duo Chromeo at Terminal 5.
English Mega-DJ Paul Oakenfold at Pacha NYC.
Aussie soft-rockers Air Supply dominated the world pop music charts in the early '80s. The same duo is still together playing B.B. King Blues Club & Grill.
Touring behind their thirteenth album "Lollipop," Meat Puppets play Le Poisson Rouge.
Saturday November 5
Austin, Texas based folk singer Shawn Colvin plays City Winery tonight and Sunday. She was recently nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album.
Also tonight: Canadian electro-funk duo Chromeo at Terminal 5.
Sunday November 6
Singer Frank Ocean was evacuated from New Orleans to LA when Katrina hit, and ended up staying to pursue his music career. Ocean joined LA hip hop collective OFWGKTA in 2009 and has since written songs for Beyoncé Knowles and Nas. Ocean was also a writer and featured artist on the tracks "No Church in the Wild" and "Made in America" on the Kanye West and Jay-Z collaborative album, "Watch the Throne." Hear him do his solo thing at The Bowery Ballroom.
Also tonight: Crosby Stills and Nash at the Beacon Theatre. Also Monday.
Monday November 7
Lupe Fiasco's latest album is "Lasers", an acronym for "Love Always Shines Everytime: Remember to Smile." The album features production by Jerry Wonder and The Neptunes, as well as collaborations with John Legend and Trey Songz. At Terminal 5.
Also tonight: The Drums at The Bowery
Veteran metalheads Anvil at the Highline Ballroom
Tuesday November 8
"Watch The Throne" was created by hip-hop heavyweights Jay-Z and Kanye West. Collectively Jay-Z & Kanye West have sold more than 65 million albums, garnered 27 Grammy Award wins and have 17 number one albums. So, it would seem they're not doing it for the money or accolades. The "Watch The Throne" album is a dynamic and pulsating production tour-de-force from two great producers at the height of their powers. Highly listenable, top arrangements and some interesting guest appearances from young singer Frank Ocean (see Sunday above), Beyoncé Knowles and Justin Vernon from Bon Iver. Madison Square Garden (Also Monday).
Also tonight: The Sea and Cake at Bowery Ballroom. Their new album is "The Moonlight Butterfly."
Joan Baez with Kris Kristofferson at the Beacon Theatre.
Sting hits New York as part of his Back To Bass tour. At Roseland Ballroom
