NEW YORK NIGHT TRAIN: RECOMMENDED:CANNIBAL OX, C-RAYZ WALZ, THE REAVERS

RECOMMENDED!
CANNIBAL OX
CRAYZ WALZ, THE REAVERS
@ Tonic

Cannibal Ox
C-Rayz Walz
The Reavers
Bowery Ballroom

In the years since I last saw Cannibal Ox perform, quite a bit has changed. “Underground” hip hop became quite a sensation a few of years ago - transcending its downtown fanbase and making MC’s Vast Aire and Vordul Mega (and beat-meister El-P for that matter) household names – depending on whose household you’re talking about. Consistent with the rules of contemporary culture, the ideas of the mighty Ox, Mike Ladd, and others who were flagrantly defying the musical and lyrical rules of mainstream hip hop at the turn of the millennium, were quickly absorbed by the very music they were rebelling against.

Cannibal Ox’s earlier tracks were total robotic sci-fi, damaged circuitry mindf*ck. The lyrics touched on both the terrestrial and the celestial. Vast and Vordul both possess astounding creativity, flow, and general skills.

After solo records and other projects, and a disappearance as Cannibal Ox for quite some time, the duo is back with an upcoming El-P produced record on Definitive Jux. Apparently RZA and Pete Rock are also helping out. I can’t wait to see what the duo has come up with and how they have matured over the years. If you want to know what they’ve been up to lately, this seems as good a place as any to find out.