He is more than a "rapper." He's not your average MC either. He's a legendary writer, freestyle MC and a member of another legend's crew - Marley Marl's famed Juice Crew.  He is called by the name Craig G and he will be in The 253 Thursday night. This. Is. Significant.  For all that Tacoma has done for Pacific Northwest hip-hop, the city is still seeking stability, and in this humble writer's opinion, the more substance from hip-hop's foundation that makes a presence in Tacoma - the better. Craig G's resume is of phenomenon status. Not only gracing tracks from the '80s through to today, Craig G was involved in memorable episodes that defined the pinnacle of freestyle MCing - see his jousts with Supernatural - and the Queens, NY-bred wordsmith has written for film as well - 50 Cent's Get Rich or Die Tryin'. Craig G will be hosted by Tacoma's own Josh Rizeberg and Shigg Tha Rhythmspeaker with DJ Seabefore (206 Zulu) and DJ Cues (206 Zulu) as they celebrate the album release of L.O.E.E.'s, The Marauders.

WORD 3RD THURSDAY, 9 p.m., The New Frontier Lounge, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, $8, 253.572.4020