B L A C K I E

B L A C K I E is making a name for himself on Houston stages. This isn’t just because the hip-hop MC’s moniker is so caps-lock-and-spacebar specific, either. The local rhymesayer takes on hip-hop like a slow-motion instant replay, and both rockers and rappers are watching. His backing tracks — which include samples of Cat Stevens, Dave Chappelle’s stand-up and video game sounds — are sped up and slowed down on a dime, and B L A C K I E keeps up the pace by vocally hitting the breaks and the accelerator when necessary. See if you can keep up when he takes the stage as part of Free Press Houston’s monthly installment, Recession Thursdays, along with The Mathletes, The Goods and Giant Princess. 8 p.m. Numbers, 300 West-heimer. For information, visit www.freepresshouston.com. $5.
Thu., Aug. 28, 8 p.m., 2008