Riffs: The Board Adminstration showcase at U Street Music Hall and the magic of free CDRs

Fans were offered a cornucopia of compact discs at U Street Music Hall on Tuesday night.

By Chris Richards

Tuesday night, in the subterranean bass temple that is U Street Music Hall, hometown rap star Wale introduced fans to the Board Administration, a new Washington-based-hip-hop-R&B-go-go-record-label-slash-collective featuring rappers Black Cobain, Fat Trel and singer Tiara Thomas.

The evening included performances from all three and ended with a set from Wale and go-go troupe UCB, who churned out beloved hits of yore (UCB's "Sexy Lady") and a juggernaut version of Waka Flocka Flame's "No Hands" -- a radio single that happens to feature a verse from Wale.

UCB's performance was the best I've seen at U Hall, (I've been there almost every week since the club opened in March), and with the artists doling out free CDRs from the stage throughout the night, I took home some souvenirs to mark the occasion: Fat Trel's latest mixtape "No Secrets," and two UCB singles -- "Pat Your Weave" and "Diana." (The latter boasts sleek, "Parade"-esque cover art).

And while all three of these releases are easily downloadable for free on the Internet, there's something special about going home with a ringing in your ears and a stack of slimline CD cases crammed tight into your coat pocket.