Hip Hop You Haven't Heard

Hip Hop You Haven't Heard ended up getting Northern State a considerable amount of exposure, with some critics comparing its sound to early Beastie Boys music.^[3] Pitchfork Media also noted the sincere sound of their rapping on the EP.^[4] One favorable review the album received was written by Robert Christgau, who gave it a four star (out of five) review in Rolling Stone.^[5] This review, in which Christgau praised Northern State as "everything you want underground hip-hop to be", sparked criticism from other rap critics, who argued that the band was guilty of cultural appropriation.^[6] The review has also been credited with helping the EP, and by extension Northern State themselves, get more publicity.^[7][8]