CANNIBAL 0X gig details

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America's hottest underground hiphop act...

CANNIBAL OX
(Def Jux Records, New York)
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Messiah J & The Expert (formerly known as Creative Controle)
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DJ Tu-Ki (Irish DMC Champ 2003, 2002)

The Village, Wexford St. Ph: 01 475 8555

Thursday 25th Sept. 2003. Doors 8pm

Tickets just €15 from usual outlets.

Fans of all genres of pioneering and progressive beats were delighted to learn recently that New York cult hiphop act Cannibal Ox had not actually split and are to release next month a follow-up to 2001’s groundbreaking ‘Cold Vein’ album - a massively influential record that set New York’s Def Jux records (RJd2, El-P, Mr Lif ) firmly on the map as the home of the freshest American hiphop music, with luminaries such as Elvis Costello declaring it ‘sonic genius’ and NME trumpeting Cannibal Ox’ rappers Vast Aire and Vordul Megillah passionately despairing poems of gritty urban realism as the true heirs to Marvin Gaye’s throne.

Irish fans will also be delighted to hear that one of just three European dates on this tour – they habven’t been to Europe since legendary shows in late 2001 – is to take place in Dublin’s The Village on Thursday 25th September. This will be the first chance to hear live tracks the excellent singles Can Ox have released this year, as well as an exclusive preview of the forthcoming second album on top of the classics from ‘The Cold Vein’.

Support comes from Dublin’s finest Messiah J & The Expert (formerly known as Creative Controle) whose current five-piece live show will no doubt do justice to their excellent debut album ‘What’s Confusing You?’- set to cause ripples when released at the end of the month. For Irish DMC champ DJ Tu-Ki, who retained his title last week, this will be a sort of homecoming after he represents Ireland in the annual World DMC competition at the Brixton academy in London.


“Let’s not mince any words: Cannibal Ox’s is the best hiphop album for a long long time.” THE WIRE.

“Cannibal Ox’s debut album is a ‘What’s Going On’ for the hiphop age.” NME

“Can Ox’s formidable passionate stage presence puts them above RJd2 and El-P as the most exciting act on the Def Jux label” THE FACE

CANNIBAL OX - biog - 2003

can*ni*bal (noun): one that eats the flesh of its own kind ox (noun): a slang term used to describe a sharp blade Cannibal Ox, a pair of MC's that devour their own kind with words as sharp as blades Harlem,

NY natives Vordul Megilah and Vast Aire have taken the world by storm with their unique brand of street poetics. The hype on Can Ox has been deafening over the past few years with constant talk of them on all the hip hop sites as well as consistent coverage in the media, despite the fact that they have not had a new record in rotation or on store shelves. From 1995 to 2003 they have performed at every major hip hop venue in NYC with 98 marking the year that they would travel beyond the NY border to take the show on the road to Europe with Company Flow, Mr. Lif, and BMS on the "Little Johnny Tour".

Upon return from Europe, they showed no signs of slowing down their live performances, continuing to do shows in Chicago, Boston, New York, and other cities across the US. 2001 marked the year that Cannibal Ox unleashed "The Cold Vein" a no holds barred look at the lives of two Harlem youths. A life where "everyday is no frills, empty crills, empty 40 bottles and MC's with skills". The album went on to sell over 50,000 copies and garnered unparalleled praise from critics the world over. The record still sells over 500 copies per week, and any record featuring either member of the duo becomes an instant success at college radio.

As they prepare their next LP, and work on solo projects, the anticipation builds daily for their return to the hip-hop world.not as neophytes but as conquering heroes. A taste of things to come can be found on Jean Grae's new single Swing Blade, where the once-unknown kids from Harlem come out hard. silencing all those who spoke of a break-up or doubted their roots in the street. Fans all over the world are eager to see them live and relive old classics while getting a first look at their new material.