Fatal Luccianuo has easily been the most talked about figure in Seattle hip-hop for the past week and a half. It started ten days ago when he was yanked from a bill at The Crocodile as a supporting act on this week’s Dyme Def show. It was partly due to his criminal past (he’s a two time felon and was recently release from prison for firing a gun outside of an area nightclub) all of which made the venue nervous. But the manner in which he was kicked off that show sparked a sizable outrage amongst urban music lovers and it’s actually working in Lucciauno’s favor. This Friday night, he’s now booked to play The Corner, one of the best hip-hop monthly’s in Seattle and there will no doubt be a huge crowd coming out to support him. Because what often gets left out of the conversation when talking about Lucciauno is that he’s one of hottest rappers in the tri-county area and people strongly believe in him. His graphic, spitfire lyrics about street life might scare some, but that’s mostly because he represents a side of Seattle’s urban poor that people would rather pretend doesn’t exist. He’s a savvy hood poet that knows how to ride a beat, but you really need to see him perform life to fully grasp the way he’s using hip-hop as a vehicle for rehabilitation.

Fri., April 24, 10:30 p.m., 2009