The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 80

16 Weekend Friday, March 7, 2003 The Indianapolis Star www.indystar.com Star ratings: excellent, good, fair, poor S0UKD BITES Rhymefest on cusp of divergent career It's not every hardcore rapper who-lives in Plainfield and teaches economics to teenagers by supervising an after-school candy store at a community center. But Che Smith is a hardcore rapper, as well as a socially progressive rapper and a humorous one, too. complimented on his flow years ago a friend said Smith personified a "festival of rhymes" a definitive stage name was born. "Rhymefest," Smith says, makes him feel like a superhero. Freshly signed to a recording contract that promises major-label distribution, the Chicago-to-Indianapolis MC knows his best shot at mainstream success has arrived.

Yet, there are hazards to being a multidimensional man inside a bling-bling game. "For one reason or another, I think it scares (the industry) to let a Will Smith through, to let a Chuck through, to let a Queen Latifah through," says Rhymefest, who' will perform Saturday at Broad Ripple's Eden nightclub. "I plan to give them no choice." He's already won over Mark Ronson, the New York "celebrity" DJ known for his writing and production work with Nikka Costa and Jimmy Fallon. In addition to appearing on Ronson's upcoming debut on Elektra Records, Rhymefest has signed to Ronson's new Allido labeL Rhymefest's hometown friend Kanye West Jay-Z's "Izzo (H.O.VA.)" and Purdue University classmate LZ (Foxy Brown, Fabolous) will produce tracks for his forthcoming album. Matt Detrich staff photo Rhymefest (Che Smith) 26, recently signed a national recording contract.

Originally from Chicago, Rhymefest now lives in Plainfield. "I don't vote, but I still want my right to complain," he raps. Rural rewards: Verizon Wireless Music Center is of fering packages that bundle performances by Kenny Chesney (May 31), Brooks Dunn (June 20), Alabama (July 26) and Toby Keith (Sept. 20). Available through March 21, the Country Megaticket reserves lawn seating for all four shows at the "bronze" level, and same-seat pavilion location at "silver" and "gold." Visit www.verizon wirelessmusiccenter.com.

Back in action: Lisa Germano, a Mishawaka native and prominent member of John Mellencamp's band during the 1980s, is set to release her first solo album in five years. "Lullaby for Liquid Pig" (Artist DirectIneffable Records) will go on sale April 7. Visit www.lisagermano.com. Buzzworthy: Mexican-American vocalist Lila -Downs is scheduled to perform Saturday at Earlham College in Richmond. Admission to the 7:30 p.m.

concert is free with a ticket. Call 1-765-983-1373. David Lindquist CHARTS Albums 1. "Chocolate Factory," R. Keliy 2.

"Get Rich or Die Tryin," 50 Cent 3. "Come Away With Me," No-rah Jones 4. "Home," Dixie Chicks 5. "Cocky," Kid Rock Singles 1. "In Da Club," 50 Cent 2.

"All I Have," Jennifer Lopez featuring LL Cool 3. "Mesmerize," Ja Rule featuring Ashanti 4. "Miss You," Ashanti 5. "Cry Me a River," Justin Timberlake Country albums 1. "Home," Chicks 2.

Shania Twain 3. "For the Last Time: Live from the Astrodome," George Strait 4. "Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors," Tim McGraw 5. "The Dreamer," Blake Shel-ton 4 Hip-hop albums 1. "Chocolate Factory," R.

Kelly 2. "Get Rich or Die Tryin'," 50 Cent 3. "Cradle 2 the Grave" soundtrack, various artists 4. "I Wanna Go There," Tyrese 5. "Dutty Rock." Sean Paul Billboard magazine His first name is a tribute to leftist warrior Che Guevara, something Smith says he carries as a daily honor.

"Having this name and knowing the meaning behind it, how can I be weak?" he asks. "I named my son Solomon. I wanted him to feel, even through his name, a certain responsibility to himself and how he should treat those around him: with wisdom, respect and kindness. He should conduct himself as a prince. A prince has ethics and morality." Contact David Lindquist at 1 -31 7-444-6404 or via e-mail at david.lindquistindystar.com.

David Lindquist Rhymefest When: 9 p.m. Saturday. Where: Eden, 6235 N. Guilford Ave. Tickets: $5.

For more information, visit www.crushentertainment.com. Listen in: To hear music by Rhymefest, visit the online version of this story at www.indystar.com or call InfoLine at 1-317-624-4636 and press 4000. When the rapper maps out his future rewards, he doesn't think about Bentleys or a lifetime supply of Courvoisier. Instead, he'd like a chess set carved in the images of his family. "When they do 'MTV Cribs," have you ever noticed that nobody shows their book collection," he asks.

"It's like, "This is my gym-shoe collection. Nobody can get this from Gentle mockery aside, Rhymefest appreciates rap's heritage as it relates to fantasy and ambitions. "We talk about having Cadillacs, even though we don't have them," he says. "We're saying it as a way of visualization, to make it happen. With my music, let me visualize something else." He reports that some gangster topics found on "Raw Dawg," his Outside Indianapolis area Columbus Bluegrass Music Festival: Noon to 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The Commons, 302 Washington St. Saturday: God's Country Bluegrass, noon; Here and Gone, 2 p.m.; Banister Family, 4 p.m.; Troubled Waters, 6:30 p.m. Sunday: Columbus Clogging Company, noon; 1100 South, 12:45 p.m.; Special Consensus, 4 p.m.

Free. 1-812-376-2539. Jazz Dog Talk: 1 p.m. Saturday. Indi for more music news, recent concert 2001 album and an underground classic, won't be resurrected on his Allido debut.

He wants the album to describe the journey from immaturity to manhood. Offstage, 26-year-old Smith lives with his wife and son in Plainfield. He says he settled in the Hendricks County community because of its Underground Railroad status during the mid-1800s. He works on the Southside of Indianapolis at the Concord Neighborhood Center, where he helps teenagers sort out their various challenges. It's also a good place for a hip-hop artist to keep in touch with youth culture.

anapolis Artsgarden, Illinois and Washington streets. Free. 1-317-631-3301. TaylorMade Jazz Quartet: 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

today. Indianapolis Museum of Art Herron Hall, 4000 Michigan Road. Members $5, nonmembers $8. 1-317-923-1331. 2916.

Outside Indianapolis area Muncie Ball State University Jazz Ensemble: 7:30 p.m. Saturday. BSU Emens Auditorium. With saxophonist Ernie Watts. $5.

1-765-285-5842. Rock Dallas Moore Band: 10 p.m. to reviews and concert schedules. POPMUSICCALENDAR day. 8 Seconds Saloon, 111 N.

Lyn-hurst Drive. $5. 1-317-239-5151. Radio Radio: 1117 E. Prospect St.

1-317-955-0995. Bigger Than Elvis: 9 p.m. today. $4. Nine Drink Minimum: 9 p.m.

Saturday. Guest: Transient Frank. $5. Whisper in the Noise: 9 p.m. Sunday.

Guests: Letters in English and For Love and Squalor. $5. Tonic: 9 p.m. Saturday. Birdy's, 2131 E.

71st St. Continued on Page 17 Acoustic, bluegrass, folk Central Indiana Folk Music and Mountain Dulcimer Society: 2 p.m. Sunday. Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 526 E. 52nd St.

Free. 1-317-573-9971. Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul: 7 p.m. Sunday. Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument Circle.

Celtic fiddler and her band. 1-317-639-4300 or 1-800-366-8457. QHndyStar.Com: Click on Music.