Masta Ace

Since first appearing (and being overshadowed by Big Daddy Kane and Craig G) on the posse classic "The Symphony" way back in 1988, Masta Ace has been one of the most underrated artists in the hip-hop genre. Perhaps because his consistency has yielded plenty of underground hits -- his G-funk-era cut "Born to Roll" still gets love on the West Coast -- but not many classics. Along with MF Doom, he is one of the few artists of his generation to remain artistically relevant, authoring challenging yet entertaining concept albums such as last year's A Long Hot Summer while his peers resign themselves to busting out booty-chasing pop. Need more of an incentive to check out "the Music Man" when he hits I/O? How about supporting acts Ed OG ("I Got to Have It") and Evil Dee of the Beatminerz, onetime Lyricist Lounge star Wordsworth, plus local heroes Garcia & Heckler, Seven Star, Bleubird, and Haviken Hayes.

Masta Ace, Ed OG, Evil Dee, Wordsworth, Garcia & Heckler, Seven Star, Bleubird, and Haviken Hayes perform at 10:00 p.m. Friday, June 10, at I/O, 30 NE 14th St, Miami.