DMX

Photograph: Courtesy of J. Mike Management

Ghetto Metal featuring DMX at S.O.B.'s
Despite his well-documented battles with addiction and other demons, DMX achieved late-'90s status as one one of rap’s most captivating performers, making the intimate S.O.B.’s an intriguing choice of venue for his NYC homecoming. Just as intriguing is that the occasion comes at Bazaar Royale’s monthly Ghetto Metal event, which pairs rappers with a backing band befitting the event’s name.

The Del Fuegos at Bowery Ballroom
In the late '70s, the Del Fuegos built a serious sizzle in Boston's bar circuit with their wry lyrics and sinewy throwback sound. Having reunited last summer after parting ways in 1990, they're working on a new EP and have an 11-city tour already booked. Check out a minihistory of the new and improved outfit in our live preview.

Sinead O'Connor at Highline Ballroom
On her ninth opus, How About I Be Me (And You Be You)?, the "Nothing Compares 2 U" crooner confidently returns to her roots, peppering her songs with new-wave guitar riffs, hip-hop rhythms, and the occasional Irish and Jamaican flourish. We'd say you can expect to hear tunes from this release, but then again, O'Connor's never been one for predictability.

Phife Dawg at B.B. King's
Michael Rapaport's moving, funny, fascinating documentary movie, Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest, made an unlikely hero out of Tribe MC Phife Dawg. Tonight expect to hear old hits, plus tracks from the rapper's forthcoming album, Songs in the Key of Phife. Yeah, we think it's a cool title too.

Outasight at Gramercy Theatre
After a few years of climbing the local ranks, Yonkers MC Outasight came into his own in 2011 with the fun, sassy party-rap thumper (and Pepsi-ad soundtrack) "Tonight Is the Night." Now the artist, born Richard Andrew, plays in advance of a new LP, due out this year.

Zeus + Eight and a Half at Mercury Lounge
Arts & Crafts signee Zeus brings its catchy power pop to town, but the real buzz factor comes from Eight and a Half, the new endeavor of Broken Social Scene drummer Justin Peroff and the defunct Stills' Liam O'Neil and Dave Hamelin. Their debut won't be out until April, but their heavy synth-pop, laced with plaintive lyrics and dark drums, promises to be a standout of 2012.