Hip Hop You Haven't Heard

Hip Hop You Haven't Heard is the debut EP by New York City-based rap group Northern State. It was self-released in 2002, and was originally intended to be a demo.[1] As of 2003, it had gone out of print.[2]

Hip Hop You Haven't Heard
EP by
Released2002
GenreHip hop, pop rap
Length17:16
LabelSelf-released
Northern State chronology
Hip Hop You Haven't Heard
(2002)
Dying in Stereo
(2002)

Reception and impact edit

Hip Hop You Haven't Heard ended up getting Northern State a considerable amount of exposure, with some critics comparing its sound to early Beastie Boys music.[3] Pitchfork Media also noted the sincere sound of their rapping on the EP.[4] One favorable review the album received was written by Robert Christgau, who gave it a four star (out of five) review in Rolling Stone.[5] This review, in which Christgau praised Northern State as "everything you want underground hip-hop to be", sparked criticism from other rap critics, who argued that the band was guilty of cultural appropriation.[6] The review has also been credited with helping the EP, and by extension Northern State themselves, get more publicity.[7][8]

Track listing edit

No.TitleLength
1."The Man's Dollar"3:29
2."Dying In Stereo"4:46
3."A Thousand Words"3:36
4."Rewind"5:25

References edit

  1. ^ Couch, Andy. "Ipecac Recordings - Northern State". ipecac.com. Retrieved 2017-11-19.
  2. ^ Nelson, Jessica (2003-06-12). "Northern State". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved 2017-11-19.
  3. ^ LLC, SPIN Media (2002-12-01). "Strong Island". Spin. SPIN Media LLC. p. 32.
  4. ^ Baron, Zach (2007-08-16). "Northern State: Can I Keep This Pen? Album Review". pitchfork.com. Retrieved 2017-11-19.
  5. ^ Christgau, Robert (2002-08-22). "Northern State: Hip Hop You Haven't Heard". Rolling Stone.
  6. ^ Bachor, Ken (2012-10-02). "Robert Christgau Goes Ham on Northern State in Rolling Stone (2002)". Spin. Retrieved 2017-11-19.
  7. ^ Schmader, David (2003-08-21). "Smart Chicks Do Hip Hop". The Stranger. Retrieved 2017-11-19.
  8. ^ Mehr, Bob (2004-02-26). "Northern State". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2017-11-19.