Indyground Funk Jam

Raise your hand if you're familiar with the rap scene in Columbia, Missouri. No? Well, if Indyground Entertainment has its way, you'll soon know its smart alternatives to commercial hip-hop. Ever since Steddy P's Kansas City accent and off-tempo delivery won him a regional spot in 2008's Scribble Jam rap battle, his star has risen. A new LP, Style Like Mind, is due on September 11, and the label recently reissued the limited-edition Virgo EP. Fellow Indyground artists DJ Mahf and Splitface were both nominated for 2009 RFT Music Awards, while a couple of new additions to the Indyground roster are also making positive contributions: JBomb, who prefers a more acoustic sound (think Everlast's Whitey Ford Sings the Blues album), and the more contemporary emcee Dallas. All of these artists will be present at the first Indyground Funk Jam on Friday night.