Jeezy
9 p.m. Friday, November 21, at South Side Ballroom, 1135 S. Lamar, 214-421-2021 or southsideballroomdallas.com, $59.50
The Godfather of modern Atlanta trap rap is returning to Dallas. The artist formerly known as Young Jeezy has been a star in the rap game ever since he released Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 in 2005. Jeezy has been through a lifetime of experiences: being on top of the rap world, his infamous feud with Gucci Mane, falling off the top and keeping up with today's rap game. Jeezy will be playing South Side Ballroom supporting his latest release, Seen It All: The Autobiography, which was released last September. But this is intended to be more than a look down memory lane; Jeezy wants to remind audiences who ran these streets all those years ago — he doesn't plan on giving up the game any time soon. --James Khubiar
Leon Russell
With Zack King Band, 7 p.m. Friday, November 21, at Granada Theater, 3524 Greenville Ave., 214-824-9933 or granadatheater.com, $30-$49
There is likely no musician who has contributed more to the canon of American music than Leon Russell. While he enjoyed some modest pop success with songs like "Tight Rope" and "Lady Blue," as well as a No. 1 country version of "Heartbreak Hotel" with Willie Nelson, Russell's spent much of his decades-long career working in the shadows for other musicians, and his work is as diverse as it is excellent. In his extensive contributions as a session musician, he appeared on seminal works with the likes of the Byrds, JJ Cale and Delaney & Bonnie. At his show at Granada Theater, you'll get a glimpse of the man himself, playing songs from past and present, with a backup band that is just as talented as he is. Hot Tuna opens the night, setting a stage for an evening of some of the best bluesy classic rock around. --Amy McCarthy
Rhett Miller
With the Wind and the Wave and the O's, 7 p.m. Saturday, November 22, Granada Theater, 3524 Greenville Ave., 214-824-9933 or granadatheater.com, $40-$100
He may receive his mail in another state, but Rhett Miller of the Old 97's is a local boy in every way that really counts. When the 97's release an album, Miller and the boys hit seemingly every stage North Texas has to offer. When he wants to celebrate his birthday, he hits the coolest bars in Deep Ellum, which are owned by his buddies. Perhaps most important, when he wants to raise money for a cause that's near and dear to his family (as he has for the past few years now) he takes over the Granada to raise awareness of cystic fibrosis. You can take the hip-shaker out of Dallas but you can't take the Dallas out of the hip-shaker. And don't sleep on Austin roots act the Wind and the Wave; see them now in an intimate setting before they get Mumford-huge. --Kelly Dearmore
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
With Mac Lethal, Almost Kins, T$ and AV the Great, 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 25, at Trees, 2709 Elm St., 214-741-1122 or treesdallas.com, $35-$104
The Bones are back in town. Bizzy, Layzie, Krayzie, Flesh; the Thugs are all here. What will "Thuggish Ruggish Bone" sound like two decades later? Something called MTV deemed them "The most melodic hip-hop group of all-time" and this could be your last chance to see them. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony will release their final album in 2015. But there will only be one copy of it and it will go to the highest bidder at an auction. Bidding starts at $1 million if you are interested. But this seems like a lose-lose situation: We know that shit's going to get leaked. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony will be disappointed if they only want one copy of that album in circulation. As a bidder, I would have to consider that any bragging rights about having the only copy of a Bone Thugs-N-Harmony album would quickly dissipate when it leaks. I would also have to consider that the album won't be E. 1999 Eternal. But maybe you could get them to sign it. Joking aside, recent shows are getting very favorable reviews and the talent onstage is unquestionable. Go to Trees on a Tuesday, give Bone Thugs praise and honor the memory of Eazy-E. Jeremy Hallock
Erykah Badu
With RC & the Gritz and DJ Jay Clipp, 9 p.m. Wednesday, November 26, at The Prophet Bar, 2548 Elm St., 214-742-3667 or theprophetbar.com, $37
Erykah Badu is a prototype of artistic versatility. She is a mother, a builder, a sculptor, a painter, an activist, a seamstress, a designer, a musician; Badu is an artist. Her Grammy winning 1997 release Baduizm still manages to sound like a fresh perspective. This millennium has seen a slew of genre-blending works including Mama's Gun (2000), Worldwide Underground (2003), New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) (2008) and New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) (2010). But more than "The First Lady of Neo Soul," Badu is also a delightfully fun local music icon, known for her trademark hats and periodically gaming the Internet, be it trying to kiss a news anchor or busking in Manhattan. In collaboration with The Prophet Bar's long-running weekly Wednesday jam session held by R.C. Williams and the Gritz, the South Dallas queen will perform at the Jam's eighth anniversary party alongside the Gritz and DJ Jay Clipp. Head over to The Prophet Bar to grab your dose of an appetizing pre-holiday jam mix. --Morganne Cameron
