If Kansas City artists ever slugged it out for the title of premier collaborator, we'd put our money on Mark Lowrey. This year alone, Lowrey staged his own solo performances as well as big nights out, like his annual tribute to Radiohead (featuring a slew of locals). He also unveiled one of his most intriguing collaborations yet: Mark Lowrey vs. Hip-Hop. It was a night of improvised, slow-burning jams in which drummers and MCs flowed on and off the stage at will. Lowrey started it off with heated, head-bobbing grooves, and lyrics poured forth from the night's featured MCs like honeyed fire.
