CRAVE GETTIN' PRETTY

What's up with Pittsburgh's No. 1 hip-hop and R&B sensations? CRAVE is currently on the road representing Pittsburgh with Miami hitmakers Pretty Ricky, playing midwest dates in Cincinnati and Memphis.

CRAVE just released the sexy club single "Freaky Deaky," a collaboration with Pretty Ricky that is getting spins on WAMO. The group is also working on a remix album of seven new songs for release next month -- "just to keep it fresh in our area," says Lonnie, CRAVE's manager.

Lonnie says the reaction on the road has been "phenomenal" -- even in Cleveland, where he expected the football rivalry to spill over.

He says the group is currently in talks with major labels about future projects.

Tonight, CRAVE pops back into town to play a song or two at the Boardwalk. To check out "Freaky Deaky," go to www.myspace.com/thecraveinpittsburgh.

WIZ WITH LUPE

Wiz Khalifa, fresh from opening for Nas at Pitt, now heads to Indiana University of Pennsylvania to share a bill with Chicago's Lupe Fiasco, a young hip-hop star-in-the-making who debuted last year with the highly acclaimed and Grammy-nominated "Food & Liquor." The show is Friday night.

In other news, Khalifa's video for "Pittsburgh Sound" debuted this week on Fuse and will be in light rotation on the music network.

412 TO THE 617

Formula 412, a live hip-hop band based in Pittsburgh (obviously), will represent the 'Burgh this weekend at the Verge College Music Conference (www.vergeconference.com) in Boston.

First, the band -- emcee Masai Turner, guitarist Byron Nash, bassist Cliff Foster, keyboardist Akil Esoon, drummer Dennis Garner, turntablist DJ Supa "C" and cellist Barrett Black -- plays a send-off show tonight at Diesel on the South Side with CK9 and the Old E All-Stars and Sole Vibe. It's at 9 p.m. Admission is $10. You can check out a couple of singles at www.myspace.com/formula412.

EMERGENZA FEST

More than 30 bands will take the stage this weekend for the semifinals of Emergenza, an international battle of the bands, centered in Pittsburgh at Mr. Small's. This is the final night of semi's in Pittsburgh, with the winners moving on to Columbus. Shows are 7:30 tonight through Sunday. For more details, go to www.mrsmalls.com.

JOE IN THE ROX

Joe Grushecky -- rocker by night and special ed teacher by day -- plays a concert with the Houserockers to benefit the fine arts program at Sto-Rox High School. Grushecky says of his class work at the high school, "It is not an easy gig, by any means. Inner-city schools present a wide range of problems these days. We are working hard to bring a positive attitude and a sense of achievement to our kids." The concert is Friday at 8 p.m. Sto-Rox High School in McKees Rocks with The Dirty Sunshine and a Sto-Rox Student band. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students.