Mighty Joseph- Empire State

By: R.M. London

Released: ((3.7.2008))

Ever since the intergalactic New York armageddon shocked the hip hop world in 2001 ("Cold Vein") hip hop heads worldwide have been anticipating the next release from Cannibal Ox (Vast Aire and Vordul Mega). Rumors have been strewn about, but still no word on an actual release date, or if the duo will ever come together again for another full length. In the midst of reminiscing an album that happened seven years ago, Big Apple MC, Vast Aire, has been on his grizzly releasing "Look Mom No Hands" in 2004 and a collaboration album with DJ Mighty Mi in 2005's "The Best Damn Rap Show." Now in 2008 Vast has hooked up with the relatively unknown NY MC, Karniege, to form Mighty Joseph and has brought us the Empire State-- a dextrous journey into the 'city that never sleeps' that winds through tales of poverty, paranoia, and the current state of hip hop.

Empire State begins with the epic big city soundtrack, "The Uprising," a chest pounding beat that Karniege and Vast tear into like jungle prey. The introduction to the duo proves to the Ox faithful that Vast remains stellar with his quirky swagger and icey paused flow, while Karniege commands attention with a beastly Bronx blow that embeds itself within the boom bap foundation. Following the grand entrance the album morphs into "Beast," a hard hitting beat that flips from mafioso strings to harp hits as Karniege and Poison Pen pelt the mic with bravado. "Out of the Gates," a 9th Wonder-esque track that Mighty Joseph and Genesis attack with vigor. "Kids," a heart pouring poetic track about wanting a better life outside of the projects and poverty. "Anything Can Happen," an eerie piano wrapped Karniege solo track that tells a street story of crime and murder. And the Madlib produced "Legend," a bouncy 8-bit laced track that Vast rips on the solo tip, and even provides an old school game code that real gamers might recall. All in all the production is hot, Karniege and Vast match-up well, but there are a few parts that just don't seem to fit with the album's atmosphere.

As the album continued we saw the return of Cannibal Ox as Vordul Mega makes his appearance on "Blood Sport," a song with a throwback Ox 'zap' that is sure to get the Jukies into a tizzy with Vordul and Vast's dizzy rhyme schemes and cryptic candor. A surprising appearance from the Living Legend Murs on "The Dark Ages" that, despite the un-fitting guest spot, works and marks the point in the album where everything good stops and the filler started rolling in. Fighting to stay focused to the finish the album loses its luster within the last portion. "Criminal Tales," "Nightlife," "General Stripes," and "Rock-it Science" lack anything worth talking about and force the album to fizzle out rather than it fade away, or stomp home strong. Despite the dope guest spots and array of top notch producers, Vast becomes limited and Karniege lacks the power to carry the album alone.

Even though "Empire State" had a few speed bumps, there are many tracks that shine and have endless replay value. Vast Aire and Karniege prove to the naysayers that they are a duo to be reckoned with and are a go to team for grimey tales of street life inside the Rotten Apple. The new record might have had more impact if the fat was trimmed off towards the end, but Mighty Joseph did have a huge "Cold Vein" fan excited and focused on the record in hand and not 2001.

In the end "Empire State" will be one of those hit or miss albums for hip hop heads in 2008. It was mostly a hit for me.

Favorite Tracks: The Uprising, Anything Can Happen
What to do (Buy/Try/Frisbee): Try.
Digits: 7.5 // 10