Lily Allen

Lily Allen

Alright, Still (Capitol)

Already a superstar in England at the ripe young age of 21, Lily Allen arrives as a tongue-in-cheek corrective to much of what's wrong with hip-hop. To those who believe the best way to riches is rapping about bitches, here's a white woman offering her perspective. Over Specials samples and toaster-ready beats, tracks such as the hit "Smile" and "Alfie," an ode to Allen's pothead brother, may not be hard, but they're certainly hard to resist. Like Blondie circa 1981, Allen breathes needed fresh air into the game, and the fact that she spends most of her time dissing ex-boyfriends just shows that sometimes writing what you know remains a viable musical strategy. Adding to her favor, Allen spits side-splitting insults worthy of Eminem's heyday. Witness Allen's sharp sing-song brush off: "Oh my gosh you must be joking me if you think that you'll be poking me." (Wednesday, March 14, Stubb's, 11pm)

All Showcases Subject to Change