Hip-Hop
Common and Pete Rock play 9:30 Club on Sept. 15. Credit: monaris; courtesy of I.M.P.

The DMV rap scene is one of the nation’s most underrated music communities. Many of the country’s favorite hip-hop artists have roots in D.C. and its surrounding neighborhoods, but the city is frequently overshadowed as a hub for the genre by massive markets like Atlanta, New York, and L.A. This fall, D.C. will maintain its role as an unsung hero in hip-hop, hosting a slew of both national and local acts in major music venues, midsize clubs, intimate event spaces, and art galleries.

JPEGMAFIA at the Fillmore on Sept. 11

The Baltimore native and bar-raiser of contemporary experimental hip-hop JPEGMAFIA brings his LAY DOWN MY LIFE TOUR to Silver Spring. The show starts at 8 p.m. at the Fillmore, 656 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring. $55.

Common and Pete Rock at the 9:30 Club on Sept. 15 

The world-renowned MC and producer duo Common and Pete Rock will perform their first and only joint album, The Auditorium Vol 1., in one of D.C.’s most historic music clubs. The show starts at 7 p.m. at the 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW. $75.

Show Love at the Pocket on Sept. 16 

The open mic platform-turned-music consulting service Open Gem USA hosts a recurring showcase of exciting up-and-comers in the DMV. This month features local genre breaker Miss Gavri, Northern Virginia’s SmooveDonn, Go Ezko, and NAI, who is known for her alternative R&B pop and hip-hop sounds. The show starts at 8 p.m. at the Pocket, 1508 North Capitol St. NW. $10.

Miles Ave at HOMME on Sept. 21

Though this D.C. rap artist is currently based in New York City, Miles Ave will come home for a free one-man show at HOMME. The show starts at 7:30 pm at HOMME, 2000 L St. NW. Free.

Rapsody, courtesy of Union Stage

Dazegxd with gum.mp3 and nedaj at the Pocket on Sept. 26 

New York DJ Dazegxd will spin an intense mesh of jungle, drum & bass, hip-hop, and more at the intimate NoMa venue. He’ll be joined by North Carolina’s digital record-spinner gum.mp3 and D.C.’s own nedaj, a jungle and drum & bass artist. The show starts at 8 p.m. at the Pocket, 1508 North Capitol St. NW. $17–$22.

Rapsody at the Howard Theatre on Sept. 26 

This past May, North Carolina rap icon Rapsody released her first album in five years, Please Don’t Cry. On this tour, she’ll be performing tracks from the album and classics from her extensive discography. The show starts at 8 p.m. at the Howard, 620 T St. NW. $20–$95.

Bigbabygucci with MDMA and Lil Surf at Songbyrd on Oct. 2 

Bigbabygucci, a seasoned vet of Atlanta’s underground rap scene, will showcase his newest evolution in sound as his Baby 5 persona. The multidimensional artist’s latest album carries the same name. He’ll be joined by two other buzzing Atlanta artists MDMA and Lil Surf at his D.C. show. The show starts at 8 p.m at Songbyrd, 540 Penn St. NE. $20–$25.

Bigbabygucci, courtesy of Songbyrd

Larry June’s Howard Homecoming Concert at the Howard Theatre on Oct. 15

Bay Area wordsmith Larry June brings his unrivaled energy and positive attitude to Howard University’s Homecoming festivities. The show starts at 8 p.m. at the Howard, 620 T St. NW. $50.

Big Flock at Union Stage on Oct. 20

The Prince George’s County MC, and a key innovator of the “DMV flow,” Big Flock headlines his first show at Union Stage. The show starts at 8 p.m. at Union Stage, 740 Water St. SW. $25–$35.

BigXthaPlug at the 9:30 Club on Nov. 4 

Dallas’ rising star BigXthaPlug plans to familiarize our city with Texas’ buzzing hip-hop scene. The show starts at 7 p.m. at the 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW. $32.50.

Chief Keef at Echostage on Nov. 24 

After canceling his summer tour due to health issues, Chief Keef is back on the road, performing tracks off his highly anticipated and appreciated album, Almighty So 2. The show starts at 8 p.m. at Echostage, 2135 Queens Chapel Rd. NE. $56–$76.

billy woods + Kenny Segal, courtesy of Union Stage

billy woods + Kenny Segal at Union Stage on Dec. 8 

New York underground rap legend billy woods celebrates the five-year anniversary of his critically acclaimed project Hiding Places. The show starts at 8 p.m. at Union Stage, 740 Water St. SW. $25–$40.

Lazer Dim 700 at DC9 on Jan. 21 

Though January definitely falls outside the scope of “fall,” we’re excited that this Atlanta underground trailblazer is bringing his deep-fried, 808-heavy hip-hop, dubbed “Crashout Music,” to the District this winter. The show starts at 8 p.m. at DC9, 1940 9th St. NW. $22–$25.

Check out more of our 2024 Fall Arts Guide here.