More than a decade after its carefully honed album The Craft stunned critics with its technical precision and lyrical gymnastics, Sacramento, Calif., hip-hop duo Blackalicious finally returns with new beats. Members Gift of Gab and Chief XCel plan to self-release their fourth full-length album, Imani, Vol. 1, on Sept. 18; the two subsequent parts of what’s expected to be a trilogy will come out over the next two years. For the unfortunate souls who can’t get Daniel Radcliffe’s politely accented rendition of Blackalicious’ “Alphabet Aerobics” out of their heads, the new tracks from Imani will provide merciful relief. Expect a preview of Imani and a nod to the group’s older hits—delivered with a bit more oomph than Harry Potter’s Tonight Show attempt—when the duo stops at the Howard Theatre. Opening act New Breed Brass Band, a nine-man outfit from New Orleans, comes to D.C. full of energy, sounding like Earth Wind & Fire took over your high school pep rally. Blackalicious performs with Future Band and New Breed Brass Band at 8 p.m. at the Howard Theatre, 620 T St. NW. $25–$45. (202) 803-2899. thehowardtheatre.com.