And who says rappers are up to no good? The local hip-hop scene is the first to step up and put together a benefit concert for victims of the Haitian earthquake.

Kanser MC Unicus (on the left in the above photo), who's Haitian-blooded, is spearheading the "Hip-Hop for Haiti" concert Tuesday at the Nomad Pub on the West Bank, with an all-star cast including Desdamona, Ernie Rhodes, Illuminous 3, DJ Snuggles, Shiz, Mac Spillz, Ridiculous, Aquafresh, the 3 Kings Soundsystem guys and who knows who else? The show will start around 7 p.m. and last until close. It'll be a pay-what-you-can cover charge, and all proceeds from the door will go toward relief. So pony up.

We're hearing murmurings of other local benefit concerts in the works, so stay tuned for more. Kudos to anyone and every who participates in these events. As far as I'm concerned, local musicians and music fans are always the most generous do-gooders (relative to their income) when it comes to these things, and yet the scene always sees a pittance of the local arts-funding, grants, tax breaks, etc. But let's take it one cause at a time.

Above photo courtesy Kanser.