Toobe Fresco/Uptowne Buddha/Jul Big Green/Curly Chuck

Local rapper Toobe Fresco says "there's high energy, excitement and soul" in his live show, and we believe the guy. Musically, Fresco does it all — he writes, he produces, he engineers. He looks to some of the titans of music and surprisingly one newcomer as sources of motivation. Fresco's new album, Never Better, is due to be released shortly, and he promises an abundance of truth, soul and encouragement. Expect to hear tracks from it at tonight's show. (Emanuel Wallace)