Mere moments ago — like one pick back — we were pontificating on how awesome 2012 was going to be, but we weren't thinking it was going to get going quite so soon: The corpse of 2011 is barely cold and here we are with a dope January lineup. But that's what we've come to expect from host Kid Dead, a member of Last of the Horsemen and one of the evil geniuses behind the Pay Dues showcases that have been giving voice to many of the city's best progressive hip-hop acts. Kaby (whose “Come See Me” was one of our favorite singles of last year) and Ducko McFli (whose work as a rapper and producer landed two spots on our year-end Top Ten) are joined by newcomer PA Lit, and DJs Rjae and Hybrid will keep the party bumpin' all night.
— Sean L. Maloney