Black Milk

Those drumstick snaps seemed to stretch for an impossible duration, each thump another block stacked atop a mounting tension that felt like it could topple at any moment.

Of course, all of this was soon a distant memory as the night's main course was promptly wheeled out of the kitchen.

Revival Bar, Toronto, Canada

Black Milk has long been one of the most exciting creative forces in hip-hop. He's something of an all-rounder, being both an accomplished rapper and respected producer, having worked with some of the genre's finest artists.

Detroit rapper/producer Black Milk turned up the temperature in northeast DC’s Rock and Roll Hotel last week. The concert was part of the aptly named FEVER tour. DC-based band Nat Turner joined him on stage to add fuel to the flame.

Seeing that band fronted by a musical veteran, who is still making incredibly good music is an even rarer treat.

Stockholm, Sweden