MC Sapient

Portland MC Sapient’s affiliations get plenty of attention. He’s one-ninth of the dope Northwest crew Sandpeople, and he collaborates with Living Legend Luckyiam as The Prime.

But sleep on the man’s solo work at your own peril. You see, Sapient is a grinder, a hard-working, fresh-thinking, beat-making and smooth-flowing wizard with a slew of albums to his name and a new one, “Barrels for Feathers,” that stands tall among the best hip-hop of 2010.

For a taste, hit up www .sapientkills.com and check out the first single, “Universal Diorama.” Bob your head to the gritty, robotic beat, and soak up that warm, warbling synth bed that lies behind the verses. Enjoy the surprising, pleasantly melodic bridge. Most importantly, don’t miss the lyrical point: Put Sapient in a box, and he’ll tear the lid off and squash your expectations in the process.

“Universal Diorama” is a head-knocker, but in an unconventional way. It’s a little weird, but well-crafted. And its message comes through strong. In that way, the song embodies much of what’s missing from so much hip-hop these days. And so does Sapient.

MC Sapient, with Al-One, KP (of Good Biz) and DJ Nykon; 9 p.m. Saturday; free; MadHappy Lounge, 850 N.W. Brooks St., Bend; 541-388-6868 or madhappymusik@gmail.com.

— Ben Salmon