An air of mystique surrounds the careers of Harlemites Vast Aire and Vordul Mega, collectively known as Cannibal Ox. Fourteen years after earning their status as luminaries of underground hip-hop, Cannibal Ox is set out to release the highly-anticipated sophomore album, Blade of the Ronin.  Serving as the follow-up to the duo's acclaimed debut album, Blade of the Ronin is the embodiment of Vast and Vordul's years of creation and properly serves to provide listeners with the grimy yet futuristic soundscape that they've come to expect from Cannibal Ox. In 2001, Cannibal Ox released it's debut album, The Cold Vein, which remains one of the seminal works of the New York hip-hop scene. Regarded as a cult classic amongst hip-hop purists, The Cold Vein has been ranked as #152 on Pitchfork's "Top 200 Albums of the 2000s" list.  Since the success of The Cold Vein, Cannibal Ox has largely maintained their independent, enigmatic persona, shying away from the glowing heat of the mainstream limelight. Blade of the Ronin solidifies the triumphant return of Cannibal Ox as the kings of underground hip-hop, as Vast and Vordul capture their trademark sound with Bill Cosmiq at the helm for the majority of the album's production. Together, this trio has created an album that personifies a sense of insightful lyricism and poignant production that has arguably been absent from the scene since The Cold Vein. The album also features tremendous guest appearances from MF Doom, U-God (of Wu-Tang Clan), Elzhi, Artifacts and more, all of whom compliment the vibe of Can Ox. It is now available for the first time ever on vinyl, as a special edition Red 2XLP pressing. "* Sophomore album from Cannibal Ox, serving as the follow-up to the critically acclaimed debut, The Cold Vein (ranked as #152 on Pitchfork's "Top 200 Albums of the 2000s" list, received perfect ratings from publications such as Stylus Magazine and HipHopDX). * Features guest appearances from MF DOOM, Elzhi, U-God (of Wu-Tang Clan), The Artifacts (Tame One and El Da Sensei) and more * Features production
Release date:
March 12, 2021
Label:
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.
Recommended equipment and accessories
-
Phono Preamps - Top Picks
A selection of the best phono preamps for your turntable setup
-
Ortofon 2M Blue Premounted
Mounted on the SH-4 Black Headshell, this setup delivers exceptional clarity, dynamic range, and accurate sound reproduction.
-
Audioengine A2 Plus
Precision-engineered 2.75-inch woofers and a 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter, featuring built-in DAC and Bluetooth connectivity for seamless integration.
-
Denon DP-400
Featuring a high-precision, belt-driven mechanism and an adjustable tonearm that ensures optimal tracking and minimal resonance
-
Technics SL-1500C Turntable
Features a direct-drive motor, a high-precision tonearm, and a premium MM cartridge, delivering exceptional sound quality
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Natasha Pirard Fernande, Cecile
Deewee
November 21, 2025 -
Skindred You Got This
Earache Records
April 17, 2026 -
Ink & Dagger Drive This Steak Through My Philadelphia Heart
Trust Records
November 21, 2025 -
Unto Others I Believe In Halloween II (Black & Green Splatter)
Eisenwald
November 21, 2025 -
Mariachi El Bronx Mariachi El Bronx IV (Orange)
Ato Records
February 13, 2026 -
David Keenan Modern Mythologies
Good Form Recordings
December 19, 2025 -
Fionn Regan O Avalanche
Fionn Regan Music
November 21, 2025 -
Guenna Peak Of Jin'arrah
The Sign Records
December 31, 2025 -
Slayer Hell Awaits [3xLP]
Metal Blade
May 15, 2026 -
Olly Murs Knees Up (Transparent Green)
Bmg Int'l
November 28, 2025 -
Meghan Trainor Toy With Me
Epic Records
April 24, 2026 -
The Devil Wears Prada Flowers
Solid State Records
November 28, 2025 -
Danny Brown Stardust [2xLP]
Warp Records
February 20, 2026 -
The Mary Onettes SWORN (Black & White Splatter)
Welfare Sounds & Records
November 28, 2025