The countdown is over and 2012 is officially in full effect. If you thought last year was epic, just wait until you see what’s coming up. Philly is bursting with creative energy that you can’t find anywhere else on the map. For the full experience, start your year off with our top picks: an explosive, genre-bending performance by Res and Talib Kweli in Idle Worship; the anticipated Philly debut of The Scottsboro Boys; the sultry sounds of Jaguar Wright. That’s just a taste of what’s poppin’. Want more? Come through and check out the rest for yourself.

Featured Events

Friday, January 13-Saturday, January 14 – Jaguar Wright

Philly homegirl Jaguar Wright returns to Warmdaddy’s with that irresistible, soulful voice. Fusing the sounds of Patti Labelle, Nina Simone and Mary J. Blige with her own flare, Jaguar always gives a mind-blowing performance. Get your tickets today!

Saturday, January 14 – Music in TV, Games and Film

If you’re an artist looking to get your tracks placed, this event is for you. Taking place at WHYY, The Philadelphia Chapter of The Recording Academy® will connect local artists with industry professionals to talk about music in TV, film and video games. Prepare to get schooled. Register today before it’s sold out.

Insider tip: Become a member of The Recording Academy for free entry to events, sound checks and more!

Saturday, January 14 – OCD: Moosh and Twist

You may remember this dynamic duo from their performance at last year’s Roots Picnic. Now, the innovative hip-hop sensation OCD will be rockin’ the mic at the Theatre of Living Arts (TLA). Keep your ears out for Moosh & Twist—they’re about to blow up.

Tuesday, January 17-Sunday, January 22 – Memphis

The Broadway smash Memphis is taking over the stage at the Academy of Music. Loosely based on Memphis disc jockey Dewey Phillips, the musical tells the story of a white DJ and a black club singer looking to break color barriers through music. With four Tony® Awards and national acclaim, this is a musical you won’t want to miss.

Thursday, January 19 – Idle Worship Featuring Talib Kweli & Res

If this isn’t a crazy collabo, we don’t know what is. Hip-hop icon Talib Kweli and Philly rocker Res are putting on a show at World Café Live. Idle Worship, the name of their bold duo, has been gaining street cred all over the map thanks to their eclectic blend of musical styles. Get your tickets A.S.A.P.!

Insider tip: Follow Philly 360˚ on Twitter for a chance to win a pair of tickets to the show.

Friday, January 20-Sunday, February 19 – The Scottsboro Boys

The soul-stirring musical The Scottsboro Boys takes a trip back to the 1930s to explore the Scottsboro Case, in which a group of African-American men are falsely accused of a crime that sparked the Civil Rights movement. Catch this captivating and inspirational show at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre.

Sunday, January 22 – Syleena Johnson

We fell in love with her voice on Kanye West’s hit All Falls Down, and she’s been making moves ever since. GRAMMY®-nominated singer/songwriter Syleena Johnson gives us a taste of her sultry sound for not just one, but two sets at World Café Live.

Insider tip: Want tickets? We’re hookin’ you up again! Follow us on Twitter for a chance to win.

Spotlights

Henry Ossawa Tanner: Modern Spirit

Starting on January 28, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts will debut a brilliant collection of artwork by renowned African-American expatriate artist Henry Ossawa Tanner. The exhibit, Henry Ossawa Tanner: Modern Spirit, will capture the essence of Tanner’s legacy through more than 100 original paintings, drawings, photographs, prints and sculptures.

Masters Behind the Music

Philly 360˚ has much respect for the creative minds that work behind the scenes in the music industry. So, we decided to give them some shine in our newest series, Masters Behind The Music. First up is Montez Roberts, super-producer behind Jill Scott’s latest hit album, The Light Of The Sun!

Ms. Tootsie’s

In case you haven’t been to Ms. Tootsie’s lately, we felt the need to share how much the restaurant has stepped its game up. From the lobster mac & cheese to the Ms. Tootsie’s pops to the bourbon-braised short rib, the new menu is packed will soulful delights!

Double Victory w/ Nate Parker

Philly 360˚® Legacy partnered with the National Constitution Center for the screening of Double Victory, a documentary about the recruitment, training and combat missions of the Tuskegee Airmen. We caught up with actor Nate Parker to talk about the new film Red Tails, and the importance of the Tuskegee Airmen story. Check out our interview and see why George Lucas’ upcoming feature film is a must see.