7

SATURDAY

The Poem-cees anticipate many questions from their fans as they prepare to release their new album, Paranoia. Among the hypothetical queries: “[I] know you don’t expect ME to pay for this?” They shouldn’t be worried: Even longtime supporters who feel entitled to freebies whenever the duo releases a project or holds a show will happily plunk down a few bills for the new joint from Darrell “naturalaw” Perry and Patrick “Black Picasso” Washington. “[A]re you guys gonna be serious, asshole ‘artist’ types now?” Fat chance—just because the city’s resident hiphop/poetry griots have taken the auditory party that used to rock the State of the Union and put it on wax doesn’t mean they’ve gone glam on us. “[W]ere you talking about me?” Ummm…no. “[A]re you OK?” Have a listen and you’ll be certain that they’re more than OK—they’re better than ever. Any other questions? Ask the Poem-cees yourself at their album release party with Storm the Unpredictable and Priest Da Nomad at 9:30 p.m. at the Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW. $12. (202) 667-7960. (Sarah Godfrey)