Fat Beats announces final in-store performances

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As previously reported, Fat Beats, the long-running underground hip-hop retailer, will be shuttering its Melrose Boulevard location at the end of this week. But rather than merely offer blowout sales on styluses and Saafir records, the onetime stronghold of the subterranean is instead hosting a series of goodbye performances that will inevitably recall the last episode of ‘Cheers,’ if ‘Where Everybody Knows Your Name’ were performed by the Beat Junkies.

Tonight marks the beginning of the week-long lineup with performances from Trek Life, Percee P and Mellow Man Ace. Wednesday brings a vaunted local lineup of Tiron, Ayomari, Bambu and Tunji. Thursday marks the ‘Producer Showcase,’ with the institution bringing in a formidable array of L.A.’s best in Exile, Rhettmatic, HouseShoes, Shafiq Husayn and others.

But the weekend figures to bring the heaviest hitters. Friday boasts a cast of Kurupt, Bishop Lamont, Dilated Peoples, Ras Kass, Planet Asia, Affion Crockett, Funkdoobiest and Strong Arm Steady. On Saturday, the storefront promises ‘special guest DJ’s and performers all day.’ While on Sunday, the store’s last, a Beat Junkie-heavy lineup will hold sway with J. Rocc and Rhettmatic, plus non-Junkie DJ Revolution.

And for those more interesting in pillaging the racks to find a copy of Cappadonna’s ‘The Pillage,’ the store promises discounted music and merchandise -- as well as a limited-edition line of Fat Beats T-shirts.

-- Jeff Weiss