Rock the Bells hip-hop tour plays Mandalay Bay

Gritty, confrontational, way harder than you -- not only does this describe New York City, but much of its classic hip-hop as well. Two definitive examples of such being Mobb Deep's murky, malevolent "The Infamous" and Ghostface Killah's hard-eyed pairing with his Wu-Tang Clan running mate Raekwon, above, on "Only Built for Cuban Linx," both of which will be performed in their entirety when the Rock the Bells tour hits town at 9 p.m. Monday at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Tickets are $32.50 in advance, $37.50 day of show, and VIP passes are $74.50. Call 632-7600.

-- By JASON BRACELIN