#representingnyc

Born of an after-school program in Bushwick, Brooklyn, this group of five MCs teamed up with ex–Gang Gang Dance drummer Tim DeWitt and Skeletons' Matt Mehlan to rhyme over some spare beats. And while Los Angeles' youthful Odd Future traffic in violent absurdity, Nine 11 are as serious as dead prez. Angel-dust strings heave around "End of the World," while the quintet find troubles grinding inside on the skull-rattling "Stressin'." (The percussive skitter of "Rookie of the Year" allows them to relax, but just for an instant). They may overstuff and huff a few bars, but chalk that up to being young with too much to say.