This is the debut of "What's the Word?" a weekly column covering Tacoma and 253-area hip-hop. Being that it's mid-March, I thought it would be a good idea to bring ya'll up to speed on what's happened already during the first few months of 2011

On Valentine's Day a free EP dropped from the always-grinding Logics. Logics is one of the few Tacoma-area rappers that has regional star status. His first home is Las Vegas, where he stays equally busy in the music scene. He's often going from one locale back to the other, on tours with some of the biggest national hip-hop acts out there. The free EP, Problematic, features guest verses from Geologic of Blue Scholars, Brainstorm of Dyme Def and Seattle's own Eighty4Fly. Notable production on the project comes from Seattle native Kuddie Mac (now a nationally known producer) and Auburn's own Marcus D. Marcus D is making a name for himself winning beat battles and producing for lots of up-and-coming MCs all over the world.

I caught Logics back in Washington and asked him what he had to say to the people of the South Sound. "Be humble. Keep looking out for your family. Focus on raising the bar instead of just making the shot," he tells me. I hope ya'll can feel the umoja in that statement! If you know Logics at all you know he loves his family.

This week Logics will be at SXSW. He's rocking the 2dopeboyz.com showcase with national break-outs BIG KRIT, Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Vintage Cartell and Seattle's Macklemore. Problematic is available for download at 2dopeboyz.com.

If you're trying to catch a show this week, I suggest checking out Tacoma's own Motamouth Jones. This MC has been making noise in the streets since the early ‘90s, winning battles, corner ciphers  and talent shows all around town. Now he's rolling with Tacoma's King Jay Barz. That should tell ya'll something. He really can rap as fast as Twista, too. Come check Motamouth's uniquely Tacoma swagger this Saturday at the Sampan in Lacey.

Motamouth Jones

Saturday, March 19, 8 p.m.
Sampan Restaurant and Lounge
922 Hensley St., Lacey
360.456.8020