With so much poppin off for CMJ, even the most discerning music snob can get a case of the “fuck thats” and choose to skip the Marathon all together. I mean, there are just too many shows and to be honest too many bands that suck. But there is also some really dope shit going on this week too. Case in point, the homie showcase tomorrow night at Southpaw. Frank151’s got equal parts classics and new skool with everyone from Grand Puba to Trouble Andrew. A special heads up to HighSnob readers: Redman and Spank Rock are gonna be there too. Oh and did I mention $1 Colt 45? Hells yeah Billy D! Hit up events@frank151.com to RSVP and say Timbo Baggins sent ya and you are all good for VIP aight? Full info after the jump.

Tonight is the big night, with both Grand Puba and U God throwing down the gauntlet at Le Poisson Rouge in anticipation of their drops on Tuesday. I slid through the Chop Shop last night to kick it with both artists as well as DJ Big Kap and my homies Domingo Neris from Frank Radio and Tod Nisbet from The Chop Shop. Legends crew.

My big homies and colleagues at Frank151 have been up to some major shit lately. I’m talking in addition to their ill book, their most-popular-in-NYC New Era fitteds, their ridiculous parties, and their behind the scenes manipulation of many a thing here in the rotten apple and in cities beyond. Yep on top of all that, they have gone and launched a record label called Frank Radio. Not coming into the game quietly, Frank Radio is jumping in heavy with two major hip hop releases hitting the streets next Truesday: Grand Puba and U-God. I’ve had the chance to extensively preview both albums and they are fire. Puba is straight golden era nostalgia with RetroActive while U God finally gets his shine on with Dopium. To jump everything off, Frank Radio is throwing a release party this Thursday, June 18 with both Puba and Golden Arms performing at Le Poisson Rouge. As a hookup for fam only, you can RSVP here for VIP free entrance. New York Kings Fam only! See you there! Shouts to Mingo and Dave C! Details after the jump.

Last night I had the great honor of interviewing two thirds of the legendary Brand Nubian – Lord Jamar and Grand Puba! It all kinda makes sense actually considering Sadat X recently came into play in this column right? Totally coincidentally I’m working with the homies at Frank151 on their De La Soul issue (more on this soon) and doing a story on Calliope studios, the famous NYC studio that birthed the careers of De La, Stetsasonic, and Tribe to name a few, and Brand Nubian figure heavily into the Calliope story, so there it is. Sick that the homie Dante had so much to do with all of this. Shouts to Mingo!