Besides the fact that Toronto has no shortage of local hip-hop talent, this is a doozy of a week to be in the city for a chance to witness some of the best there is. The venerable North By North East is in the building and The Academy along with TheCyberKrib.com have put together something truly outstanding. Thursday through Sunday is a hip-hop lover’s delight. Don’t forget the extended 4am bar hours for the entire fest!

Here’s the breakdown for all the events:

THE ACADEMY and THECYBERKRIB.COM present…
NXNE 2009 SHOWCASES
[6th year of showcasing @ NXNE]
@ Harlem (67 Richmond St. East)

Thursday, June 18
Host Deejays: Sweet Touch Foundation (Riccachet & Thera-P)
09:00pm – Skyscraper Stereo (Louisville, Kentucky)
10:00pm – Black ELement (Boston)
11:00pm – Edreys aka Billy Drease Williams (Buffalo)
12:00am – The Primeridian (Chicago)
01:00am – Frankie Payne (Toronto)
02:00am – Chris Quotes & Dave Sauce (Toronto)

Friday, June 19
Host Deejays: Son of S.O.U.L. and Droppin Dimez (Mel Boogie & JJ Rock)
09:00pm – Crew 54 (Kileen, Texas)
10:00pm – Chromatics (Trinidad & Tobago)
11:00pm – Brendan Philips + KJ (Toronto)
12:00am – Kae Sun + Miles Jones (Toronto)
01:00am – Dylan Murray (Toronto)
02:00am – Bad Newz Brown (Montreal)
03:00am – Relic (Toronto)

Saturday, June 20
Host Deejays: Rod Skimmins and Bozack Morris
09:00pm – Illa Brown (Vancouver)
10:00pm – Truth Universal (New Orleans)
11:00pm – Smash Brovaz + Rich Kidd (Toronto) [note: replacing Yoshi]
12:00am – Ian Kamau (Toronto)
01:00am – WrittenHouse (Philly)
02:00am – Nizm (Chicago)
03:00am – Fineprint (Toronto)

More info: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=121860252032

Sunday, June 21
THE ACADEMY & THECYBERKRIB.COM
in association with THE BEAT LOUNGE present…
@ Revival (783 College St.)

THE BEAT LOUNGE: NXNE $500 BEAT BATTLE
24-producer elimination beat battle
4-8pm (afternoon / early-evening event)
More info: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=84066789265

NXNE EXTRA SERIES HIP HOP SHOWCASE
9pm-1am (evening showcase)

09:00pm – Mantis & Justis (Toronto)
10:00pm – Notes To Self (Toronto)
11:00pm – The LYTICS (Winnipeg)
12:00am – COVERT OPS (marveL & Arcee – Toronto) [first performance ever!]

More info: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=44408244966

My good friends at Roundtable Entertainment, many of whose excellent parties you’ve seen pictures of right here in Dope-A-Lot land are throwing one of their massive 2000 Til. joints on Friday, so if you’re looking for more of a club vibe, and arguably the best looking ladies in town (yes, girls who like hip-hop!!), be sure to drop by the Skybar. Word.