As a sampling, here are profiles of three diverse acts - playing alternative hip-hop to country rock - that shouldn't be missed.

The album sold relatively well and received a strong positive reaction among alternative hip-hop and underground hip-hop fans at the time.

MTV2 Europe primarily focused on alternative indie themed shows and music videos, while MTV2 in the US focused on reality TV programming, alternative music videos and alternative hip-hop.

Record producer No I.D. has been cited as having an instrumental role in the development of alternative hip-hop.

Critics label some of these artists as alternative hip-hop while others reflect the typical Cincinnati style of rap which is usually characterized with deep Southern influences as well as its own original contributions.

Almost Live from Eli's Live Room is a live album by American alternative hip-hop / indie rock band Why?

Together with the use of eclectic samples that would take on an increasingly jazzy sound, they would be pioneers of so-called conscious hip hop, alternative hip-hop, and jazz rap.

Another focus was alternative hip-hop, which one hopes will find the same success that alternative rock did (but perhaps be able to handle it better).

In any case, Mr. McCoy has shrewdly identified something that mainstream emo has in common with alternative hip-hop: wordy, self-conscious lyrics.

And they're playing alternative hip-hop, from the nerdy, hilariously sophomoric MC Paul Barman to the politically charged Mr. Len (both at Westbeth tonight).