Concert halls, coast to coast, rocked and swayed to the sound of loud, pounding hip hop music. Fans lined up outside, anxious to get in. No violence, no beefs, and the kind of quality hip hop we've been missing ...

Many might think it's the incredibly successful Hard Knock Life tour, but the 26-city 30-day Underdawgs Tour (featuring Phife solo, Xzibit, Defari Heru, the Visionaries, and the Himalayaz), sponsored and conceived by industry vet Suave of Suave Management cost a fraction of the Def Jam inspired promotional juggernaut, received next to no publicity, and did it hard core without apologies.

The players of the tour shared some of experiences. "I'd rather be back at home, finishing the project," Phife said, "but it's been cool to be out. I do miss being part of a group, but I've been wanting to do this for the longest. Now I'm gettin' my man on. I always put the group first, but now I'm handling my business."

"Some things done happened while we was doin' this tour!" Xzibit exclaimed. "We did a show in Kansas, and the next day a tornado ripped through and killed 30 people. Roger Troutman died, [his A&R and friend] Bigga B died. You have to know how to work your work, but not neglecting my loved ones. " Partner in rhyme Defari agreed. "Travelin' on a bus across 48 contiguous states. You need to humble yourself, know your objectives as a man. Know when to say "no" on the drank, leave the party alone and go to bed. The people is what it's about, and you gotta go every night. Likwit MCs, we value this shit, we blue collar. We go out every night and work hard."

Bambino of the Himalayaz is another familiar face, formerly of Anotha Level. With partner Phalos, he's rocking a new single, "Playa Wayz" and trying to put down a more substantial flavor. "It's on some hype, party stuff, away from the violence," Phalos said. "But definitely from the streets of LA, it's not nothin' dark, on some get your club on stuff."

The shows were well practiced and filled with genuine energy and craft. Defari, performing with Phil da Agony, presented his picturesque rhymes in ways that illustrated his songs without descending into cartoonish characterizations. Xzibit, one of the most passionate and powerful voices in hip hop today, appears in full battle regalia -- black bandanna and coveralls, muscular bruiser at his side, gleaming gold chain dangling his logo. Phife performed his new material with confidence, and literally brought the house down with his medley of classical verses from his days with ATCQ.

When asked ahow he made a successful tour with acts some would call unmarketable, Suave (who manages all the tour's acts save Phife, managed by Fudge) said, "It was a matter of making all the calls, I did a tour out with nobody on the charts, and no video out. Dealing with the insurance, it was a task, but it turned out great." He said that making a tour like this happen without the violence that plagues hip hop required, "Be on top of your business, Dealing with people who take their business serious, they'll make sure everything is done tight. That's why you have to associate your people with." He also warned this isn't the end. The soldiers at his command may be marching on your town ... soon.