After watching him drop two mixtapes, two independent records and two proper studio albums since just last year, it’s easy to respect Curren$y’s work ethic. But the grind would be nothing without his effortlessly nimble verses and airy, instrument-rich beats—two things the New Orleans emcee has in spades. Last year’s Pilot Talk II was almost exclusively produced by Ski Beatz and stands mostly chorus-less with an increased focus on the melody and verse. Following a path similar to friend and frequent collaborator Wiz Khalifa that’s heavy on the three W’s (wealth, weed and women), Curren$y is an equally talented if less radio-friendly proponent of unassuming, everyday-dude stoner rap. With Nipsey Hussle, Dom Kennedy, Smoke DZA. NICK FELDMAN

Thu., Dec. 2, 8 p.m., 2010