Rare are the moments in hip hop history when that golden project drops.

By golden, we mean a jewel case full of precious gems excavated from the mines of new music —an album that has glitz, yet retains the properties of hard core durability.

X marks the spot for New Breed, a sibling pair who have struck it rich with their first full length album, Stop The Music. The catching illustrated album cover is only the beginning, as brother and sister Macho and Elsie Ortega collaborate to audio-illustrate rap imagery at its finest.

Hailing from the Puerto Rican streets of Boston, the duo had earlier debuted on the scene with their two song EP, Stories, demonstrating that they could hold their own. Then they took it to the next level by appearing on DJ Maj's, Full Plates album, birthing the smash hit single, "What's My Name?".

Surpassing expectations, the twosome made noise with the gloriously indelicate Tunnel Rats, cornering the album with the title cut, "Tunnel Vision."

Tunnel Vision

Click on the above CD image for the Tunnel Rats review.

Now, causing an eclipse in hip hop and affecting the crucial balance of what listeners have been so accustomed to, New Breed presents a rarity to the market. Spin the disc and volcanic lyrics electrify the air, like lava spilling from their lips. Their vibe is East Coast, hard-core urban, nicely infused with a Puerto Rican roots vibe.

If you’re familiar with the Tunnel Rats project, you don’t need to be schooled that Macho and Elsie are each choice MCs, confident in delivery and giving up their own style of accent-splashed flava and showing a knack for rhyme finery.

Throughout the album, the tag team sling clever rhymes, and as if that weren’t enough, it’s all supported by unreal production from the hand of rising mix maestro, Dert, and instruments from Donavan Luke Henry.

On "My People", New Breed displays their Hispanic heritage and breaking the traditional "hip hop hooray" vibe, while emitting sparks that severe lies and the misconceptions of life. Truth reigns as they represent the kingdom of God fully fashioned with innovation and spontaneous flow. The duo exhales killer lyrics, taking rapper's delight to an entirely different level.

Interview with New Breed

Click on the above image to discover what this New Breed is all about. Macho and Elsie drop their story in our interview with them.

Tracks such as "Verse of The City", "Stand" and "Live This" hold you captive with policing grooves forcing your hands in the air.

"Dry Bones" brings Macho and Elsie bearing the mantle of the modern prophet as they exercise their skills. The rhyme here carries an apocalyptic message. "Don't Listen", masterfully laid out by Elsie, promotes celibacy, cautioning that listening to your heart can do you wrong if you’re heart has been deceived. Even the "Outro" is flavorful, leaving you salivating for the hinted sequel.

From rhythm to rhyme, hands down, New Breed appeases the urge for real hip hop by staying true to Christ as well as the art —a perfect combination. New Breed delivers a well-rounded creation on Stop The Music, and may go down as the most noted hip hop release of the year 2002.