For 40 years, Rare Essence has kept D.C.’s home grown beat alive. It wasn’t always easy. [WCP]

And its new album, Turn It Up, proves the band isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. [Post]

D.C.’s comedy scene is growing, but can it rival NYC and L.A.? [Arts Desk]

Office of Planning announces 15 city-wide pop-up art projects. [DCist]

Arthouse movie theater Suns Cinema opens this weekend. [Arts Desk]

How Kokayi turned city sounds into a song about gentrification in D.C. [Washingtonian]

Listen to Oddisee‘s new album, The Odd Tape. [NPR Music]

An interview with Shellée Haynesworth, who painted U Street’s “Black Broadway on U” mural. [Bandwidth]