Choice concerts: I like rap…

South Florida’s best: Talib Kweli, Revolution, Fort Lauderdale, Oct. 16

My opinion about music has been the same across the board: “As long as it’s good…”

I don’t care if it’s rock, country, soul, classical, jazz… if it’s good, I’m all over it.

And that includes rap. I go way back with it, all the way to Rapper’s Delight by the Sugar Hill Gang. Run-DMC, Eric B. and Rakim, Tribe Called Quest, Mos Def, Public Enemy, even Kanye, it’s all good.

Talib Kweli, courtesy Wikipedia

Then there’s Talib Kweli. Though he may not be as big a name, Kweli is one of the top MC’s ever. He worked with Mos Def in Black Star, has worked with Kanye, takes on the big issues in his lyrics.

If you want to get away from the pop rap of 50 Cent, et. al, it’s worth a look.

Best PBC show: Jack’s Mannequin with Eric Hutchinson and Treaty of Paris, City Limits, Delray, Oct. 18. One of the first shows that show how far City Limits has come in the last few years — Jack’s Mannequin had a hit on VH1 with “The Resolution” and they are part of a small but growing group of national acts City Limits has picked up.

Money-no-object show: The Brand New Heavies, IndigO2, London, Oct. 16. Fire up the private jet for N’Dea Davenport’s killer smooth vocals. Cross the pond and enjoy.

Also appearing locally: Dolly Parton at Mizner Park, Friday. To associate her with just the country glitz is missing half the story — the bluegrass half. …

Bonus! South Florida fest recap…

Skope checked out two festivals down here this weekend:

First… Rock the Bells, a hip-hop extravaganza…

Ghostface and Raekwon at Rock The Bells (Courtesy skopemag.com)

Then… Projekt Revolution, a modern-rock package tour founded by Linkin Park…

Linkin Park lead singer Chester Bennington lets loose at Projekt Revolution. (Courtesy skopemag.com)