If growing up in a tough hood makes you "real" in the hip-hop world, then K'naan has cornered the market on credibility. The MC was raised in Somalia's most dangerous region: Wardhiigleey, "the River of Blood." "The government targeted this neighborhood, tried to destroy it, because the rebels always came out of this zone," says K'naan (born Kaynaan Warsame).

Walk down Canal Street under the shadow of the Manhattan Bridge and you'll see people lining up for the Fung Wah bus. Originally a cheap way for Asian immigrants to commute between new York's and Boston's Chinatowns ($15 a ride), it's now often used by frugal locals, students, and in the case of 26-year-old Termanology, fledgling rappers juggling the demands of a career and family.

The Ringers have played plenty of memorable shows since frontman Joe Hursley, 29, and bassist Joe Stiteler, 29 -- community-college pals from Austin, Texas, who moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting -- formed the live-wire garage-punk outfit four years ago.

It's two hours before showtime, and the Vivian Girls are popping pills. "I'm totally gonna get seasick in the middle of a song," grumbles drummer Ali Koehler as she passes the Bonine to her bandmates, Kickball Katy (bass) and Cassie Ramone (guitar, lead vocals), in preparation for a performance on the Half Moon, a boat harbored in New York City's East River.

Night after night over the past couple of years, Norwegian singer Ida Maria Sivertsen has been hitting stages across Europe. And sometimes the stage hits her back: She's slashed her head on her guitarist's instrument and cracked her ribs while attempting a mid-gig somersault.

Having recorded their first album in three hours, Eddy Current Suppression Ring decided to take their time on their second, Primary Colours: a whole day. "Our songs aren't really brain surgery," says guitarist Mikey Young.