Empire State by Mighty Joseph

Mighty Joseph is the combination of Vast Aire (Cannibal Ox) with his long-time rhyme ally Karniege. The duo’s sole album, Empire State (2008) was released during the tail-end of the last great non-commercial hip-hop period.

Never released on vinyl before the album will be available on double LP vinyl edition.

Rooted in the concrete streets but lyrically abstract, features and beats are provided by equal musical foils including Madlib, Camu Tao, Murs, J-Zone, Poison Pen and Vordul Mega (Cannibal Ox) among others.

Fan and critical attention were positive with All Hip Hop summing the album as "solid post-millennium product that bridges the gap between gritty street tales and a paranoid view of the future.”

Plug One Magazine added that "Empire State" "unravels a unique perspective, documenting not only much personal change between the two emcees but also the changes in the streets of New York City. From poverty, to the September 11 attacks, to the abuse of Hip Hop culture in general, "Empire State" stands strong as a snapshot of the city."

Tracklist

1.	The Uprising	4:25

2.	Beast (feat. Poison Pen)	2:44

3.	Out The Gate (feat. Genesis of LXG)	4:51

4.	Kids [N.Y.C.]	3:48

5.	Blurr	2:45

6.	Anything Can Happen?	3:26

7.	Legend	4:15

8.	Blood Sport (feat. Vordul Mega)	4:33

9.	The Dark Ages (feat. Murs)	3:49

10.	Criminal Tales	5:22

11.	Pandora's Box (Access Immortal, Double A.B. & Swave Sevah)	4:14

12.	Night Life	3:08

13.	General Stripes	3:09

14.	Rock-It-Science	6:35

Credits

released September 24, 2025

All songs are written & performed by: Vast Aire, Karniege & where writers and co-performers appear.

Production on tracks 1 & 9 by Karniege, tracks 2 & 6 by Aerz Nights, track 3 by DJ Priority Muzik, tracks 4 & 11 by Melodious Monk, track 5 by Cryptic One, track 7 by Madlib, track 8 by Camu Tao, track 10 by Sebb One, track 12 by 4th Pyramid, track 13 by Up Media Inc and track 14 by J-Zone.

All scratches by DJ Cip One

Artwork by Alex Fuentes (Los Fokos)

License