Buck 65 has created hip-hop music under the mainstream radar for more than two decades. Originally from Mount Uniacke, Nova Scotia, he taught himself to rap and DJ, then started recording in his bedroom. He’s earned a reputation for disregarding genre limitations. Buck 65, whose given name is Richard Terfry, raps over violins, collaborates with female vocalists in French, makes whole verses by cutting in single-word samples with turntables and does pretty much anything else he wants to. His new album, 20 Odd Years, is a tribute and testament to his life in music so far. Its 12 tracks, many of which were co-written and recorded with different collaborators, have snappy beats and smart lyrics. They also have lovely melodies, nods to multiple styles and equal parts of melancholy reflection and playful quirkiness. The Alibi called Terfry at his home in Toronto, during a few days off in the middle of his tour.

There are lawn chairs strewn across a sandy field, the sunset in front of you, Sandia Mountains behind you, people with picnic baskets, gourmet takeout, wine bottles and blankets. A singer stands on a trailer-turned-stage that’s painted to look like the New Mexican desert, complete with cacti and mountains against a blue sky. This is the Placitas Campfire Series.

Octopus imagery has reached meme status (while the meme has attained metameme status), but for good reason. Octopi posses eye-catching beauty, and the biology, behaviors and diversity of these aquatic creatures are just as mesmerizing. With the mighty, eight-tentacled invertebrate mascot on their side, three locals— Ghost Circles, Molat The Tank and Waiting For Satellites—fill Burt’s Tiki Lounge (313 Gold SW) on Friday, Aug. 5, around 10 p.m. (Jessica Cassyle Carr)