NORTH Vinyl Records and CDs

A female rap trio from Long Island, N.Y., Northern State consist of HestaPrynn, DJ Sprout and Guinea Love. They rock a super-catchy -- some mightsay "sassy" -- style that instantly evokes memories of a Licensed ToIll-era Beastie Boys: heavy on the high-pitched loud rhymes and popculture references. However, whereas the young Beasties repped the virtuesof angel dust, KFC and under-aged girls, Northern State are all aboutpolitical awareness, vegetarianism and female empowerment. Because oftheir very in-your-face style (both in content and delivery), mostlisteners will find them either absolutely brilliant or impossible tolisten to; some critics have lauded them, while others have shredded theirmusic. Regardless, the group's first album Dying In Stereo earnedthem a deal with Columbia Records, got them on Last Call With CarsonDaly, and prompted collaborations with hip-hop icons like Pete Rockand DJ Muggs. Whether N.S. are just a flash in the pan or will become thefirst female white rap group to blow up remains to be seen, but they'redefinitely making moves.