There are two places you could be at on Christmas Eve. The first would be huddled up in the warm fireplace lodge at Lutsen with hot chocolate and s’mores overlooking icy Lake Superior. The second would be in the dark (and warm) confines of First Avenue’s VIP Room with hip hop and reggae tunes harking to sunny Caribbean beaches. Of course we know where you gonna be at money, so here is a lowdown of some tunes and events before the year is out.

Tunes

Sunrise – Franz Diego LP
Franz Diego was a busy man releasing two online EPs all year until his final self-titled album release in September. Each track is produced by the best Twin City talent but still retains a cohesive sound that is musical and infectious. His messages about life on the Southside (Nokomis) and the duality of immigration is smoothly delivered without becoming preachy.

On Franz Diego’s self titled debut, the Minneapolis renaissance man takes you on an intimate tour of life in Minneapolis, relationships that have flourished and floundered, rap life and an urge to be better.

This Much Hip Hop – The Sharing is Caring EP

The Sharing Is Caring EP is the explosive result of the amalgamation of Deto 22 (Phenetiks) and Sketch tha cataclysm, two hip-hop renaissance men representing the collective know as AntFarm Affiliates. Each trades off mic and production duties as they paint with heavy strokes on the topics of one’s validity in the art, addiction, embrace of rebellion, anxiety, and abstract expression. Released 11/03/2009 on AntFarm Affiliates/ Little Ax, LLC

Rocketman Remix feat. Yelawolf – Recession Music

From City Pages’ Amber Schadewald: “Recession Music” is a collaboration of MCs Prof and St. Paul Slim, two guys deemed favorites in the TC underground rap scene, that together make loud, content heavy tracks with unwavering attitude. – Released 5/2009 on Stophouse Music

Events

Christmas Treez Christmas Eve
Thursday, December 24 / VIP Room / 10:00 pm / 21+ / $3.00 adv $6.00 door
It’s not just any Bungalow, its da X-mas Eve kind maan. DJ Verb X and DJ Nex spin in the VIP Room.

Hip-Hop not Rap
Thursday, December 24 / Spring Street Tavern / 10:00pm / 21+ / FREE
Kulurblind Entertainment delivers a tongue and cheek night for Nordeasters, with double team DJs spinning funk and soul.

The Poet’s Groove
Tuesday, December 29 / Blue Nile / 10:00pm / 18+ / FREE
Every Tuesday is the Blue Nile’s long-running Open Mic night, hosted by Kevin Washington & Desdemona. Soulful, sinful, and revealing, spoken word poets open up on life, lust, and loss. Open to all performers.

ATM Records Hip Hop Showcase
Friday, December 25 / The Red Sea / 10:00pm / 21+ / $5
ATM Record$ is based out of Detroit but pops in now and then, recently hosting Dj AK at the Red Sea.

Home for the Holidays
Saturday, December 26 / Triple Rock Social Club / 9:00PM / 21+ / $10
Triple Rock is one of few venues that can gracefully do punk rock one night and hip hop the next. They host the Heiruspec’s long awaited “homecoming” after a summer tour in the Midwest. Joining them are Ill Chemistry (Desdemona & Carnage), the Minneapolis Dub Ensemble, adn DJ Bill Caperton. Sponsored by 89.3 The Current