Stones Throw indie-rap favorite Homeboy Sandman plays Tampa on Friday

Hip-hop purists fall at the feet of Homeboy Sandman. The 42-year-old Queens emcee has been at it for 16 years now and made a name for himself in the underground on the strength of his witty, inventive stream-of-consciousness flow and deadpan sense of humor.

Sandman’s time with the Stones Throw label made him something of an indie rap darling, and he hasn’t slowed down. Just last year, he released an album, Still Champion, which he told Rock the Bells is about god. “God is STILL CHAMPION, despite rumors people may have heard. Money is not champion. Fame is not champion. Popular opinion is not champion,” he said.

Get lifted after opening sets from Orlando rapper E-Turn and Tampa Bay’s very own Jon Ditty.

Tickets to see Homeboy Sandman play Tampa's Hooch and Hive on Friday, Dec. 2 are still available and start at $15.