Tonight in LA: Ghanian Hip Hop, Blowfly and Les Nubians, Among Others

Okay, so on the surface perhaps a slow Thursday night in LA. No grand slams, it would seem, few hipster throw-downs. But I would like to present a few pieces of evidence that might provide a little nudge out the door tonight.

Item one: BLOWFLY.

Last year, I saw Blowfly open for Bonnie “Prince” Billy in Louisville when the ersatz Will Oldham performed the entirety of I See A Darkness. Oldham was the draw, of course. But Blowfly, known best for his ridiculously stoopid dirty records of the 70s, was a worthy foil to Oldham's pleasantly surly presentation. Blowfly's getting on in age, but that doesn't mean he doesn't still have very naughty thoughts. He follows Antiseen, Suckerstar, Angus Khan at the Knitting Factory.

Item two: KWAW KESE

Kwaw Kese is a Ghanian rapper, which should be reason enough to hit the weekly Afro Funke party at Zanzibar. After all, it's not like American rappers are offering much in the way of inspiration these days, nor are their English and French counterparts. Dr. Dre, if you're reading this, which I'm sure you are, head west tonight to dip from a different well. Maybe Ghana's throwing down these days.

Item three: LES NUBIANS

Speaking of France, Les Nubians gig the Key Club. Yeah, they're a little lite – okay, they're lite as air – but that doesn't mean it won't be better than hanging at a hipster dive somewhere.

The Little Ones go pop crazy at the Troubadour tonight with Ra Ra Riot and Army Navy. That might be good, too.

And Katy Davidson, aka Dear Nora, she who recorded the most bad-ass version of Missy Elliott's “Hot Boyz” ever put to tape, swings by the Smell tonight with Palms, and An Horse, from Australia.