Northern State

Northern State are constantly billed as 'the female Beastie Boys,' not an unfair tag when one considers the similarities between the bands; the humour, the New York-iness, the Jewishness. However, this all-female crew have something more in common with fellow Nassau county natives Public Enemy, in that their raps tend to be more politically informed, even if it is thrown in between a stupid jokes about how gangsta they are. Pitchfork and most other reviews have been rather... harsh on Northern State, mentioning that they essentially exist in a vacuum with their female, indie-based rap, and that it's really only their own self-confidence that gets them by. However, I personally enjoy it, even though they are 'C-grade rappers.' There's something so positive and cheerful about this band that manages to force its way through the sometimes faltering musicianship, and they're definately worth a listen, especially you, Steel Lord.

DOWNLOAD

Beard Tapes Vol. 1

There's no real theme to this mixtape, just a few of my favourite songs that fit well together. Hopefully iy encourages you to delve deeper into the artist's respective discographies.

DOWNLOAD

Public Enemy - Fear of a Black Planet

Public Enemy's third album is arguably their greatest, although it received less attention at the time of release due to allegedly anti-Semetic comments made by band member Professor Griff. Although Chuck D made an apology at the time, he has since taken it back, stating that Griff's comment was anti-Zionist and not anti-Semetic. Fittingly, this album and the previous record both reference the plight of the Palestinians
Time has proven this to be the superior record, with Chuck D's lyricism at its career high, and the rest of the band sounding tighter, tougher and better produced. Sadly, the Bomb Squad would leave after this record, leaving Public Enemy to pursue a different musical direction that lacked the crunch to match Chuck's rhymes. Listening to this, though, one wonders how it all went so wrong and the gangstas moved in.

DOWNLOAD!

Cannibal Ox

I rest my head on 115
But miracles only happen on 34th, so I guess life is mean
And death is the median
And purgatory is the mode that we settle in

A rap album for you boys and girls. On of my favourites, in fact. Say hello to the MCs Vordul Megallah and Vast Aire, collectively Cannibal Ox. Definitely grab this if you enjoyed 36 Chambers.

The Cold Vein is the debut album by American hip hop duo Cannibal Ox. It was produced by El-P and released on his Definitive Jux label on May 15, 2001.

The Cold Vein was generally received well by critics, drawing many favorable comparisons to the 36 Chambers-era Wu-Tang Clan.

Many praised El-P's production work, with CMJ contributor Brian Coleman writing "Producer El-P, of the now-defunct Company Flow, gives this Harlem-bred and Brooklyn-based vocal duo of Vast Aire and Shamar what usually sounds like a full goth orchestra perched in a dank basement, with thick synth strings, simulated outer-space found-sounds and choppy, pounding drums." Allmusic contributor Jack LV Isles was also impressed by El-P's beats, writing "El-P (a serious candidate for producer of the year) lays out some of the most lushly intriguing sounds and beats that feel as herky-jerky as they sound gilded with silk."

The album was also noted for its profound lyrical content; many critics and fans felt Vast Aire's and Vordul Mega's lyrics painted a vivid picture of a poverty-stricken New York. Gavin Mueller of Stylus Magazine wrote about "The F-Word", a song addressing unrequited love: "Moments like these show not only the skill of Can Ox’s MCs, but the potential for hip hop lyrics to work on as many levels as the finest English poetry."

The Cold Vein landed on many 'best of 2001' lists and even some best of the decade.

Artist: Cannibal Ox
Album: The Cold Vein
Genre: Hip Hop, Rap
LastFM: http://www.last.fm/music/Cannibal+Ox

Track Listing:
1. "Iron Galaxy" – 5:56
2. "Ox Out the Cage" – 3:28
3. "Atom" – 5:52
4. "A B-Boys Alpha" – 4:27
5. "Raspberry Fields" – 4:01
6. "Straight Off the D.I.C." – 4:17
7. "Vein" – 4:27
8. "The F-Word" – 5:27
9. "Stress Rap" – 5:31
10. "Battle for Asgard" – 4:26
11. "Real Earth" – 3:57
12. "Ridiculoid" – 4:46
13. "Painkillers" – 5:58
14. "Pigeon" – 6:10
15. "Scream Phoenix" – 5:05

Download: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ZE7E9958