The Kid in question, showing some of his ink.

Los Angeles-based rapper Kid Ink may be a relative newcomer to the national hip-hop scene, but he’s already leaving an indelible mark among fans, especially on the Internet. (His 26 videos have a combined 50 million views on the Web.) Kid Ink  – known for his extensive tattoos as well as his rhymes – will be performing in our very own city on Saturday, Nov. 9, with local opener $tarbound. Kid Ink came into his own as a rapper in 2010 after spending time working the control board for the likes of Sean “Diddy” Combs and Sean Kingston. With a rising standing in the rap world, Kid Ink has collaborated with artists including Roscoe Dash, Dorrough, Sean Kingston, Wale, and Meek Mill. In between extensive touring, he’s released a flurry of mixtapes, an independent album last year, and an EP in May. He began 2013 by signing a major label deal with RCA, and his latest single, “Show Me,” features Chris Brown (yes, that Chris Brown) hit the R&B/hip-hop chart in September. Joining him is the Chippewa Valley’s own independent hip-hop artist, $tarbound. At just 19, $tarbound has already made a name for himself in the Midwest. The majority of Kid Ink’s tours have included packed crowds of 600 to 2,000 people, and the Eau Claire show is tucked between gigs in L.A. and Charlotte, N.C. (and just before he embarks on a big European tour), so it’s time for the Chippewa Valley’s hip-hop crowd to step up and represent.

Kid Ink featuring $tarbound • 7:30-10:30pm Saturday, Nov. 9 • Zorn Arena, UW-Eau Claire • $25 • tickets available from the UWEC Service Center at www.uwec.edu/Servicecenter/ or (800) 949-UWEC (8932) •