If you listen closely, you can hear the sound of the Los Angeles chapter of the Hip-Hop Nation collectively holding its breath. All they have to go on is a blunt, simple announcement on the website of L.A. indie hip-hop label Stones Throw:

“Announcing:
Madvillain Live in Los Angeles
November 21, 2009 at the We The People festival

More info coming soon”

First things first: An actual live appearance by masked rapper MF Doom (one-half of Madvillain, alongside L.A. producer Madlib), who in this humble scribe’s honest opinion is among the greatest rappers alive, is akin to a Bigfoot sighting. Particularly over the last couple of years, after a series of scheduled MF Doom shows in 2007 descended into near-riots when the man onstage wearing the mask appeared to be someone other than Daniel Dumile (the rapper’s real name). Adding insult to injury, the supposed impostor seemed to be lip-synching.

“Everything that we do is villain style. Everybody has the right to get it or not get it,” was the closest Doom came to addressing the issue in Rolling Stone earlier this year. “Once I throw it out, it’s there for interpretation. It might’ve seemed like it didn’t go well, but how do we know that wasn’t just pre-orchestrated so that we’re talking about it now?”

Only time will tell whether Doom will end up onstage at this year’s edition of the We the People festival, which last year was a hit-or-miss affair with a solid lineup (including Suicidal Tendencies, Flying Lotus and RZA), but was marred by failing sound equipment and scheduling issues.

Expect more information in the coming weeks. And For Doom fans, fingers crossed.

-- Scott T. Sterling