Thurs, May 20, Reef the Lost Cauze

Reef the Lost Cauze says he “ain’t no rapper.” So what to call him? An emcee, I guess. Another observation, also taken from his dope 2008 album A Vicious Cycle: “I’ve been in the penitentiary / I’ve pistol-whipped motherfuckers and shot motherfuckers.” Hip-hop may be the only medium where being a violent ex-felon is considered a good thing. And Reef is nothing if not grizzled, utilizing all sorts of obscenities to insult, demean and kill the mythical “sucker MC.” Of course, the aforementioned quote comes from a sample, and it’s probably not Reef’s voice. If it’s him, I suggest wearing a bulletproof vest to his upcoming show at Blue Lamp. 1400 Alhambra Boulevard, www.myspace.com/reefthelostcauze.