Kid Cudi to Rap at Stage AE; Jergel’s Hosts North Hills Powerhouse Phase IV Band (Fri., 2/5/16)

1) Kid Cudi’s song “Day ‘n’ Night” is the paragon of a debut rap single. If the haunting synthesizer line fails to hook the listener, then the way he stutters “at night”—what a hook!—will. It was later included on his debut album, 2009’s Man on the Moon: The End of Day. That record features a “who’s who” of popular musicians of the time. Common narrates it. Indie rockers MGMT and Ratatat play on a track. “Make Her Say” samples Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face.” Most conspicuous is Kanye West, who was one of the album’s many producers. That wasn’t the first time West and Kid Cudi collaborated. Heck, West signed Kid Cudi to his GOOD Music label after hearing the latter’s mixtape. Kid Cudi is also featured on West’s “Welcome to Heartbreak,” a single off the groundbreaking 808s & Heartbreak. Kid Cudi has released five studio albums total; the latest is 2015’s Speedin’ Bullet 2 Heaven. Born Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, he is from just up the road—Cleveland, Ohio. He will be crossing state lines to bring his hip hop stylings to Stage AE. Doors open 7 p.m. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. (CM)

2) Phase IV is a rockin’ cover band from Cranberry, which is nice since they are playing Jergel’s Rhythm Grille tonight in the neighboring community of Warrendale. The Phase IV band is a highly social animal, playing well-known covers and prized back-catalog goodies from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, while making sure the audience is having a great time. The band is composed of the talented and charismatic Anthony Bertonlino on bass guitar, Dustin Bush handling lead vocals and guitar, Ron Roman on drums and backing vocals, and Mark Redilla on guitars and backing vocals. Hit songs in Phase IV’s repertoire include “Big Country,” “Hard to Handle,” “American Girl,” and “Hey Jealousy.”  This is a fun band to get out and party with. 9 p.m. 285 Northgate Dr., Warrendale.

3) Ride Along 2 – First of all I didn’t even know there was a Ride Along 1. In case you missed that 2014 buddy comedy, Kevin Hart played a security guard who was fixing to marry the sister of top cop Ice Cube. But Ice forced Kevin to prove himself worthy by riding along on a 24-hour police patrol in Atlanta. (I’m not sure how comforted I am knowing that people are using urban crime as a pretext for matchmaking.) I know what you’re thinking—how could they ever top that? In Ride Along 2 Kevin has graduated from the police academy but still hasn’t married the sister, played by Tika Sumpter (though they are engaged.) Right before the wedding, however, Kevin accompanies Ice down to Miami to help nab a drug lord played by Benjamin Bratt. One can only imagine the hilarious hijinks which ensue. Olivia Munn, Ken Jeong, and Sherri Shepherd also star. Check Fandango for screens and times. (TH)

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