FESTIVAL: HIP-HOP
Independent's Week: A Celebration of Independent Hip-Hop

when: Tue 7.6 - Thur 7.8 (various times)
where: Virgin Megastore, Union Sq
price:  FREE

Just where you wouldn't expect it, nestled in Richard Branson's Virgin bosom, the cats at Def Jux have finagled a hip-hop summit combining roundtables with turntables. Today, there's a panel discussion with El-P, Jim Mahoney from Fat Beats, Michael Bull from Caroline, 89.9 DJ Jer, and promotions stalwart Scrappy. After the sitdown, Rjd2 lightens the mood with a live set. Wednesday ushers in a performance from the Jux gang, featuring Aesop Rock, Rob Sonic, SA Smach, C-Rayz, and Hangar 18. Thursday, there's a producer's workshop, open turntables, and an afterparty at Pianos. As Dead Prez put it, "pimp the system," and keep indie hip-hop vital.