COLUMBUS OHIO -- The Original Superstars of Hip Hop featuring Slick Rick, Raekown and 8Ball & MJG will perform at the Icon nightclub, 231 N. 5th St., on Saturday, July 16, at 8 p.m.

By CHRIS BOURNEA

Staff Writer

COLUMBUS OHIO -- This month, an all-star roster of hip-hop artists will perform at various venues in Columbus. Fans can take in shows by old-school rappers as well as new faces on the scene.

The Original Superstars of Hip Hop featuring Slick Rick, Raekown and 8Ball & MJG will perform at the Icon nightclub, 231 N. 5th St., on Saturday, July 16, at 8 p.m.

Slick Rick, known for hits like “Children’s Story” and guest appearances on Doug E. Fresh’s “The Show” and “La Di Da Di,” has influenced countless rappers since bursting onto the scene in the mid-1980s. Nicki Minaj even references him in her new hit single “Super Bass” with the line, “Slicker than the guy with the thing on his eye.” In 2008, Slick Rick was recognized for his contributions to rap on the VH1 Hip Hop Honors.

Tech N9ne will perform at Alrosa Villa, 5055 Sinclair Road, on Monday, July 18. Born Aaron Dontez Yates, Tech N9ne has sold over a million albums and had his music featured in film, television and video games. In 2009, he won the Left Field Woodie at the mtvU Woodie Awards, which recognize independent artists.

Tech N9ne is touring in support of his new album, “All 6’s and 7’s,” which was released on June 7. The album features guest appearances by the likes of Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, T-Pain, Busta Rhymes, Twista and R&B group Mint Condition.

Rick Ross will perform at the Mansion nightclub, 330 S. Front St., on Friday, July 22 at 9 p.m. Ross is set to release a new album this year featuring current single “Another One.” He has been keeping a high profile lately, most recently performing at the BET Awards.

Anybody Killa will perform at Alrosa Villa on Saturday, July 30. A native of Detroit, Anybody Killa (born James Lowery) has one of the most unique voices in rap since he is one of the few – if not the only – hip-hop artists who is Native American. His most recent album, “Medicine Bag,” was released last fall.

Anybody Killa’s rap and lyrical content draws heavily on his Native American heritage and has been described as “spiritual rap.”

“I get a vibe from dreams, more or less. That’s where a lot of my writing comes from. That and a lot of my fans’ personal experiences,” he said. “It’s their music, my fans’ music. I’m just putting it o words behind lyrics for them.”

For tickets and more information about these shows, visit Ticketmaster.com.

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