Capone N Noreaga and Onyx to hit Manchester

Image: Onyx (Credit Keep it Sticky)

There's more hip hop goodness heading the way of Manchester shortly. After the likes of Camp Lo, KRS One, The Lox, Masta Ace, Smif & Wessun and more have graced the city in recent times, underground hip hop sees another presence in the city with a double headline show form two immortal groups from the 90s, Capone N Noreaga and Onyx.

The Queensbridge duo of CNN blew the world of grimy NYC hip hop open in 1997 with the release of The War Report, an undeniable classic which was acclaimed by many as the real sound of the streets (a claim with added weight once Capone was imprisoned months before the release).

Noreaga would then go onto have great success as a solo artist working with the likes of The Neptunes, but it was with Capone where he truly emphasised his 'hood' credentials - the duo's rhyming over arguably DJ Premier's finest ever beat on 'Invincible' (above) remains one of the greatest hip hop records recorded in the twenty first century.

Onyx were equally evident of the rowdiness of hip hop at its finest, but whereas CNN's style focused on the grimier crime influenced side Onyx were all about the beatdown - lyrical or otherwise.

Their aggressive snarls saw three lauded albums in the shape of Bacdafucup, All We got iz us and Shut em Down (which Noreaga appeared on), each a blisteringly barrage of bombast.

Also Queens residents, they'll be bringing together a double header of underground hip hop in the city on Saturday 17th May as hip hop at it's most unflinchingly brutal best takes over the Manchester Club Academy, Murkage will support.. Head here for more details.

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