Common -- Cold as winter, this Chicago-born MC has long bridged the gap between the social consciousness of underground hip-hop and the commercial resonance of the mainstream.

On his latest, chart-topping disc, "Finding Forever," Common wraps his wizened yet lavender-smooth rhymes around Kanye West's vintage-soul-sampling beats to craft an album that sounds vintage and fresh at once.

Promising "no gimmicking, no mimicking," Common has dropped an album that both whispers and roars, that speaks to the streets and the suburbs in the same breath without compromising either. (Friday, House of Blues).

Maroon 5, with Robin Thicke and DJ ?uestlove -- Maroon 5's cocksure, blue-eyed soul comes impeccably dressed, with high cheek bones and the self-assured air of a pile of supermodels.

These funk lite Lotharios continue to score on their long-simmering sophomore disc, "It Won't Be Soon Before Long," an even more polished, dance floor-friendly effort than their big-selling debut.

Equally svelte and sweaty, the band's space age disco and sleek pop is nearly as well-tailored as these dudes' wardrobes. (Saturday, House of Blues).

Akon, with Rihanna, T-Pain and Sean Kingston -- Turns out Akon's 2004 debut is titled "Trouble" for a reason, as the oversexed R&B singer/producer has been finding himself knee deep in it lately.

First, he wildly groped an underage concertgoer at a gig in Trinidad, violently dry humping the befuddled gal onstage, costing him an endorsement deal with Verizon.

Then he body slammed a heckler at another concert a few months later.

Who knew that a guy who penned "Smack That" could act out from time to time?

Hopefully, Akon will be in better spirits when he hits Vegas, as he'll have some backup this time: Joining him in concert is purring pop siren Rihanna, the aforementioned, forever bawdy MC T-Pain and fresh-faced crooner Sean Kingston.

Just remember, if Akon invites you up to dance, better take some protective headgear. (Sunday, Orleans Arena).