Rock Bottom Hip-Hop

Local underground label Audio Thrift Shop Records might be South Florida's last bastion of bling-free, un-crunk hip-hop. ATS crews like the Leftoverz and Secondhand Outfit rock dense, dark breaks and spit intelligent, world-weary rhymes that speak far more directly to reality in these parts (shitty jobs, bitter girlfriends, suburban angst) than the Benzi 'n' ice set. Every month, ATS puts together Rock Bottom Hip-Hop to honor the four elements and even help establish a couple more. Besides an open mic, breakdancers, and an open wall dedicated to graffiti writers, producers can step up to an open MPC session and a sort of b-boy swap meet for folks to score records and gear. If you're tired of rappers telling you to lean back, get low, and shake it like a salt shaker, hit Rock Bottom and check out the progressive heads keeping hip-hop culture alive.

Secondhand Outfit, the Leftoverz, and Admit One perform at 8 p.m. Friday, January 7, at the Fort Lauderdale Saloon, 626 S. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale. Tickets cost $5. Call 954-565-4909.