Hangar 18

Aptly named after the final resting place in New Mexico's tourism industry, Hangar 18 (think Area 51) used its dark and eerie club-banging beats on tour recently to warm up crowds for label mate RJD2. Returning three months later, DJ Pawl and MCs Alaska and Windnbreeze have yet to reach the desired expectations of The Multi-Platinum Debut Album, but, hey, they also tout themselves as the greatest power trio since Rush. Much to the dismay of Canadian prog-rock fans everywhere, though, this New York hip-hop outfit still sounds like a million bucks with aggressive lyrics and a backdrop of beats that hold true to Def Jux tradition. Those unfamiliar with Hangar 18 can rest assured that Windnbreeze's lyrics are kid-tested and approved -- he works as a first-grade teacher and rehearses in front of his pupils. But you may also want to steer clear of the New York City public education system.