PHAROAHE MONCH @ MID EAST DOWNSTAIRS

Hip-hop grandmaster Kool Moe Dee included Organized Konfusion’s Pharoahe Monch on his list of the 50 greatest MCs of all time, which is no faint praise coming from a guy who included himself on the same list (in the #5 spot) and who insisted that his music videos meet an established quota of motorcycles and ninjas. A preeminent lyricist in a field that is almost entirely lyrics, Monch comes to the Middle East Downstairs as part of Duck Down Records’ 15th anniversary tour, alongside fellow label representatives/avid firearms enthusiasts Buckshot and Smif-N-Wessun. [480 Mass. Ave., Central Sq., Cambridge. 617.864.3278. 8pm/18+/$20 adv, $25 dos. mideastclub.com]