The West Coast had Tupac and New York had Notorious B.I.G. Houston had the Geto Boys and New Orleans boasted Master P and Atlanta had OutKast and ...

... Jewett City is home to N.M.E. the Illest.

(By the way, for those perhaps not fluent in urban lexicon, "illest" does not mean that N.M.E, doesn't feel well or is some type of Typhoid Mary/plague carrier. It means he's a badass - by which we mean "good.")

Anyway, yes: the hip-hop scene in southeastern Connecticut has steadily grown over the years and established a fine reputation for competitive flow, rhyme, attitude and a solid roster of artists - and N.M.E. the Illest is at the forefront.

He celebrates his new album, "Hate Me Quietly," with a CD release party Saturday in New London's Oasis Pub. Also on hand to share the fun and perform will be Mister, Erik Lamb, Otis Clapp, Skobie Won, Chumzilla and Stryfe.

- RICK KOSTER

N.M.E. the Illest, 9 p.m. Saturday, Oasis Pub, 16 Bank St., New London; CD release party; $5; (860) 447-3929.