Surprise show: Hannibal Buress and hip-hop alter ego Eshu Tune to play The Blue Note Monday

Even people who don't like surprises can be swayed by the announcement of a "pop-up show" featuring one of America's best standup comedians — and his hip-hop alter ego.

Thursday morning, The Blue Note dropped word of a Monday-evening show featuring superlative performer Hannibal Buress and his musical persona, Eshu Tune.

Labeled as a split bill, it wasn't immediately clear how much of the show will be devoted to each side of Buress' talents. But it might be safe to expect Monday to skew musical given the current relevance of the Eshu Tune project.

As a comic, the 40-year-old Chicagoan achieved wider notoriety for a 2014 routine that re-introduced concerns over the legendary Bill Cosby's sexual assault allegations to segments of the public. However, those who follow strong, independent comedy have been drawn to Buress' voice for years. His drawling delivery only enhances the narrative twists and turns that make his work stand out.

"Buress’s style ... is rambling and unpredictable and can swing from cerebral mumblings to loud rants," Chicago Magazine's Elly Fishman wrote in 2014. "Some of his friends in the industry liken him to British comics because of his willingness to walk a joke down a path even when it becomes surreal or kind of weird. They also note that Buress’s laid-back delivery is meticulously constructed and rehearsed."

Buress has also shown up often on TV screens, appearing everywhere from "30 Rock" to "Broad City" and "The Simpsons."

His musical moniker is "inspired by Nigerian mythology, specifically the Yoruba deity Eshu, a benevolent spirit also known to be a trickster, who serves as a messenger between Heaven and Earth," Okayplayer's Sama'an Ashrawi wrote last year.

Reviewing Eshu Tune's South by Southwest set earlier last month, the Austin American-Statesman's Deborah Sengupta Stith noted a thoughtful amount of convergence and divergence between Buress' twin pursuits:

"Backed by a full band, he made it clear that he was in the building to show and prove his rap skills. But still, he peppered the set with jokes, and many of the songs themselves were infused with humor. High points included 'Veneers,' a baller anthem about fixing your teeth, and a random cover of Christian pop icon Michael W. Smith’s 'Awesome God.'"

Monday's show begins at 8; tickets are $35-$49.50. Visit https://thebluenote.com/ for details.

Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at adanielsen@columbiatribune.com or by calling 573-815-1731.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Hannibal Buress, hip-hop alter ego Eshu Tune, to play The Blue Note Monday