The King of Pop vs. The Price of Baby Mustaches

The '90s were some glorious years of heady, experimental beatmaking, with the likes of DJs Shadow, Krush, Cam, and the Russian-born Vadim ruling the scene. The latter's U.S.S.R. Repertoire remains a veritable classic of instrumental hip-hop science. Recently, the left-of-center producer has been making waves by showing that he can provide a backdrop for nimble rhyme-spitting as well. Vadim, along with MC's Blu Rum 13 and Yarah Bravo, has formed One Self, releasing its debut last year on Ninja Tune, a record full of bass-heavy beats influenced equally by reggae and Bollywood. Blu, sounding like a combination between Aesop Rock and the Gravediggaz's Poetic, and Bravo, a Swedish-Brazilian spoken-word whiz of the female persuasion, rap and sing in the abstract lexicon one might expect from Vadim's legacy. The trio will show and prove on Friday, Nov. 17, at Poleng Lounge. Visit www.polenglounge.com for more info. — Jonah Flicker

This past summer wasn't lacking for rump-shaking electro acts touring San Francisco. Practically every weekend gave cause to break a sweat to commando beats, but London's Hot Chip made it to the top of my list. From the animated in-store at Amoeba to the stint remaking the Independent as a jiggling indietronica sauna, the band's members energetically pogoed every which way, keeping each song extra carbonated. Even the slithery, laid-back tracks that play kinda like car commercials catch heat live — but it's that damn infectious "Over and Over" that really breaks the mercury as an encore. Engage in some k-i-s-s-i-n-g-s-e-x-i-n-g-c-a-s-i-o on Friday, Nov. 17, when Hot Chip runs a victory lap around the Mezzanine at 9 p.m. Admission is $12; call 625-8880 or visit www.mezzaninesf.com for more info. — Jennifer Maerz

For four years now, Dave Paul (proprietor of local hip-hop label Bomb Records) has hosted and DJ'd at the brilliant "Prince vs. Michael Jackson" parties. As selections of hits, rarities, and remixes from both artists are presented over the course of the evening, audience members square off in funky battle, holding signs bearing the mug of their favored entertainer to judge which one is the true king of pop. This sure ain't the place for cynics, but Darling Nikkis and Dirty Dianas are all welcome to participate on Saturday, Nov. 18, at Madrone Lounge at 9 p.m. Admission is $5 (after 10 p.m); call 241-0202 or visit www.madronelounge.com for more info. — Tamara Palmer