DJ Jazzy Jeff

A West Philadelphian born and raised, DJ Jazzy Jeff was one of hip-hop's biggest stars in the late '80s. We all know what happened to his former collaborator, The Fresh Prince, but Jeff's career trajectory has been slightly less grand - though a well-respected DJ and producer, he has never quite managed to hit the globe-conquering heights of his old mate Will.

Still, his contribution to hip-hop should never be overlooked: he and Smith did much to bring the genre to a more family-friendly audience, amassing gold and platinum records and Grammies, and his work since then has involved nurturing and producing artists like Eminem, The Roots and Kanye collaborator Rhymefest.

Tonight, the Sub Hub is offering a hip-hop history lesson with Hip-Hop: Past, Present Future, a carefully-curated night of music, discussion and film that promises to excite experts and delight dilettantes in equal measure.

Its main attraction is a Q&A session with Jazzy Jeff, hosted by broadcaster and author Stuart Cosgrove, but there's also an exclusive screening of documentaries Big Fun in the Big Town and Beat This!

Later, it's Jeff's first gig in Glasgow since 2009, at which you can expect to be further educated in the nuances of modern and classic hip-hop. Support comes from Pro Vinylist Karim and Joshua.

Then, on Saturday, it's another excuse to break out the cake and balloons as Subculture celebrates turning the ripe old age of 21.

Mainstays Harri and Dom have drafted in Subbie favourite Telford to spin his usual devastatingly good house selections, between overseeing the pin the tail on the donkey and musical chairs.

€¢ Q&A with DJ Jazzy Jeff, tonight, Sub Hub, 8pm - 8pm, free

€¢ DJ Jazzy Jeff, tonight, Sub Club, 11pm - 3am, £10/15

€¢ Subculture 21 with Telford, Saturday, Sub Club, 11pm - 3am, £8

Cosmic Second Birthday

For its second birthday, disco fiend Cosmic has recruited two Glasgow heavyweights to deliver a night that will have regular patrons in raptures.

Optimo's JG Wilkes goes back to back with the Sub Club's Spencer, in a match-up that would excite even the surliest clubber.

Combined with the club's reputation for loose, easy-going vibes and a wild hedonistic streak, this is shaping up to be one of the highlights of the weekend.

A sterling choice for anyone after something a bit different tomorrow night.

€¢ Cosmic Second Birthday, Friday, The Berkeley Suite, 11pm - 3am, £6/8

Apache Label Launch

A brand new label for native techno, house and other genres, The Apache launches tonight with a party at Renfield Lane's Stereo.

Glitchy Livingston beatmaker Foxtrot, Ajay C and David Kearney supply the jams, with a pre-party at The Arlington Bar in Woodlands between 8pm and 11pm.

€¢ Apache Label Launch, tonight, Stereo, 11pm - 3am, £3

Outlook Festival Showcase

Outlook, one of the world's best soundsystem and bass festivals, is held in Croatia in September.

But that's not going to stop us partying in honour of its launch tour, which will be rolling across the continent over the summer.

Headlining tomorrow's Art School bash is the one true Godfather of Grime Slimzee.

The founder of Rinse FM and the Pay as U Go cartel is backed up by Glasgow's own DJ Milktray going back to back with John Phonics, and Dressin Red steps in to provide wobbly, bass-driven dub and grime all night long.

€¢ Outlook Festival Launch Party, tomorrow, The Art School, 11pm - 3am, £9

Apocalypso!

This eclectic new monthly night at the Southside's coolest new joint The Rum Shack looks extremely promising indeed: it has Optimo Records' Whilst playing live, with DJ sets from Afro master Ghana Soundz and the Fence Collective's The Pictish Trail.

If that wasn't disparate enough on paper, there's also visual art, film and literature thrown in, too.

€¢ Apocalypso!, Saturday, The Rum Shack, 7pm - 12am, £5

Trancelate

Spare a thought for the poor bar staff and glass collectors at 69 Below, who are in for consecutive nights of unrelenting audio punishment.

Two nights that are as hardcore as it gets mean this is one of the best weekends in ages for trance and hard dance aficionados: they've got Gearbox Digital Plus tomorrow, with Dutchman Mashup Jack playing an exclusive live set.

Then on Saturday, Italian techno's Alex di Stefano steps in to steamroller the Nelson Mandela Place basement at Trancelate's third birthday.

€¢ Gearbox Digital Plus, tomorrow, 69 Below, 8pm - 3am, £20

€¢ Trancelate Third Birthday, Saturday, 69 Below, 8pm - 3am, £15