by Chris Clark

Sunday night, The Fox Theatre plays host to two of the underground hip-hop world's finest acts, Blackalicious and Lifesavas. While Oakland-based duo Blackalicious (DJ Chief Xcel and Gift of Gab) have a relationship that dates back to their Kennedy High School days in Sacramento almost 20 years ago, Lifesavas have been running the Portland, Ore., rap world. Both offer prolific songwriting and lyrical talent and dually impressive production.

Emerging from the Bay Area indie-rock scene of the mid-'90s, Blackalicious have been delivering some of the funkiest beats around. For five albums and countless live shows, the duo has achieved a crossover success few can imagine. Appealing to hip-hop faithful as well as festival-going twirlers, Chief Xcel and Gift of Gab have utilized their eclectic sound, steeped in soul, funk, rock, afrobeat and Brazilian, to produce a sound akin to George Clinton meets Outkast.

On the other hand, Lifesavas have achieved more modest success. Although Vursatyl is truly one of the most gifted MCs the West Coast has to offer, the group has stayed relatively below the radar. But their brand of party-rock hip-hop has maintained its influence in the underground, solidifying them as true players and leaders of the Portland movement.

On the Bill:

Blackalicious plays with Lifesavas, Fat Lip and Pigeon Jon at 8:30 p.m., Sunday, March 12, at the Fox Theatre, 1135 13th St., Boulder, 303-443-3399.

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