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Madvillainy is the debut and only studio album by Madvillain, a collaboration between legendary rapper MF DOOM (Daniel Dumile) and acclaimed producer Madlib (Otis Jackson Jr.), released on March 23, 2004 by Stones Throw Records. The album is often hailed as a masterpiece of underground hip-hop, characterized by its unconventional structure, eclectic production, and MF DOOM’s intricate, surreal lyrics.

Madvillainy was a highly anticipated project in the underground hip-hop scene, bringing together two of its most respected figures. MF DOOM, known for his complex wordplay and villainous persona, and Madlib, celebrated for his experimental and sample-heavy production, combined to create a dense, atmospheric album.
The project was recorded over several years, with Madlib working on beats while traveling and MF DOOM crafting his lyrics with a stream-of-consciousness style.
The album has a lo-fi aesthetic, featuring short, fragmented tracks, many of which do not follow traditional song structures like verses and hooks. Instead, Madvillainy is more of a collage, with some tracks acting as interludes or musical sketches.

Madlib’s production is eclectic and layered, drawing from jazz, soul, Brazilian music, obscure soundtracks, and 1970s psychedelia, creating a moody and experimental backdrop for MF DOOM’s vocals.
The album’s beats are sample-heavy, often gritty, and feature unorthodox tempos and time signatures. Madlib also uses interludes and vocal samples from obscure sources, giving the album a cinematic, almost comic book-like feel.
MF DOOM delivers his signature abstract and multi-syllabic rhymes, filled with internal rhyme schemes, pop culture references, and complex wordplay. His delivery is intentionally offbeat, which complements the nontraditional structure of the production.

Lyrically, Madvillainy is a blend of surrealism, humor, and complex storytelling. MF DOOM’s persona as the masked supervillain is ever-present, with much of the album reflecting his mischievous, sardonic view of the world.
His lyrics often appear cryptic, with layers of meaning that reward close listening. He plays with words in ways that defy conventional hip-hop norms, eschewing clear narratives in favor of dense, puzzle-like rhymes.
Themes in the album include betrayal, paranoia, and the villain’s perspective, often narrated from a detached, almost nihilistic point of view. However, DOOM’s approach is often playful, filled with irony and wit.

Key Tracks and Highlights:
"Accordion" – A minimalist, standout track where MF DOOM delivers one of his most well-known verses over a sparse accordion loop. The track captures DOOM’s style perfectly, with cryptic, tightly-packed bars and Madlib’s minimalist approach.
"Meat Grinder" – A haunting, jazz-infused beat serves as the backdrop for MF DOOM’s dense wordplay, as he raps with a stream-of-consciousness flow, dropping surreal imagery and twisted humor.
"America’s Most Blunted" (featuring Quasimoto) – A playful, weed-themed track featuring Madlib’s alter ego, Quasimoto. The track is both funky and chaotic, with vocal samples interspersed between DOOM and Quasimoto’s verses.
"Curls" – One of the shorter tracks, with a smooth, almost nostalgic beat. DOOM’s verses are filled with detailed, vivid descriptions, encapsulating his ability to turn everyday observations into poetic rhymes.
"All Caps" – Perhaps the most iconic track on the album, known for its booming beat and DOOM’s punchy, comic book-inspired verses. The title refers to MF DOOM’s alias, urging fans to spell it in all capital letters, reinforcing his larger-than-life persona.
"Rhinestone Cowboy" – The album’s closer, featuring a soulful, downtempo beat and some of DOOM’s most introspective and reflective lyrics. It’s a contemplative end to an otherwise chaotic and fragmented album.

Madvillainy is a nonlinear album, with many of the tracks flowing directly into each other without clear transitions. It’s constructed more like a sonic collage, making the album feel like a continuous, abstract narrative rather than a collection of separate songs.
The album contains numerous interludes and brief tracks, some less than a minute long, but all contributing to the overall mood and atmosphere. Tracks like "Sickfit" and "Do Not Fire!" are instrumental breaks that give Madlib’s production room to shine.

Upon release, Madvillainy was met with widespread critical acclaim. It was praised for its innovation, lyrical complexity, and cohesive production, with critics noting its departure from conventional hip-hop formulas.
It quickly became regarded as one of the most important and influential underground hip-hop albums of all time, with its influence extending beyond just hip-hop into broader experimental music.
MF DOOM’s and Madlib’s artistic approach on Madvillainy helped solidify their reputations as avant-garde artists, unafraid to push the boundaries of the genre.
The album is frequently included in lists of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time and is particularly beloved by fans of alternative and underground hip-hop. It has been noted for its lasting influence on the sound and style of future hip-hop artists, especially in the abstract, lo-fi, and experimental spaces.
Impact on MF DOOM and Madlib's Careers:
MF DOOM further cemented his legacy as one of hip-hop’s most enigmatic and talented lyricists. His use of the supervillain persona, combined with his intricate rhyming style, made him a cult figure in the genre.
Madlib also gained widespread recognition for his unique production style, which merged elements of hip-hop, jazz, and experimental music. His ability to create deeply layered and textured beats without sacrificing their lo-fi charm became a hallmark of his production style.
Madvillainy’s success paved the way for other projects in the underground scene and inspired a new wave of artists who saw hip-hop as a medium for abstract, avant-garde expression.

Madvillainy continues to be revered as a benchmark in underground hip-hop. Its influence can be heard in the work of countless artists, from Earl Sweatshirt and Tyler, The Creator to more experimental producers and MCs who were inspired by Madlib's and MF DOOM’s fearless approach to crafting an album.
The mystique surrounding MF DOOM, especially after his untimely death in 2020, only added to the album’s legendary status, with Madvillainy often considered his definitive work.
The album’s blend of complex lyricism, unorthodox production, and nontraditional structure helped redefine what could be done in the hip-hop genre, making it a timeless work of art.
In summary, Madvillainy is a landmark album in hip-hop, pushing the boundaries of both lyricism and production. Its influence is far-reaching, and its status as one of the greatest underground albums remains unchallenged. The partnership between MF DOOM and Madlib resulted in a project that is as dense, surreal, and captivating as it is groundbreaking.

6 years after the first release of Conway’s classic debut album “Reject 2”, Scmd Music (Taha and Jtlm Records) brings the official reissue with the OG art cover to the world. Straight up classic material! The masterpiece features underground heroes such as Westside Gunn, Roc Marciano, Mach Hommy, Benny The Butcher, Skyzoo, etc. Productions by DJ Daringer. Buffalo in full effect…

6 years after the first release of Conway’s classic debut album “Reject 2”, Scmd Music (Taha and Jtlm Records) brings the official reissue with the OG art cover to the world. Straight up classic material! The masterpiece features underground heroes such as Westside Gunn, Roc Marciano, Mach Hommy, Benny The Butcher, Skyzoo, etc. Productions by DJ Daringer. Buffalo in full effect…

Red Cover Edition. 6 years after the first release of Conway’s classic debut album “Reject 2”, Scmd Music (Taha and Jtlm Records) brings the official reissue with the OG art cover to the world. Straight up classic material! The masterpiece features underground heroes such as Westside Gunn, Roc Marciano, Mach Hommy, Benny The Butcher, Skyzoo, etc. Productions by DJ Daringer. Buffalo in full effect…

This was the first release from Anderson .Paak & Knxwledge as Nxworries: "Suede" and "Link Up" were their first two tracks. "Droogs" is a Knx remake of an Anderson .Paak single. Instrumentals and bonus beats around out the EP.

Limited edition vinyl!
Chopped Herring presents the CD version of Stranger Danger’s debut project “How to Lose Friends and Alienating People”. If you expect nothing but grimy underground hip hop from LA on this one, you got it all right!
From the producer of the amazing “Tha Roach Killaz LP” from last year on Herring comes Stranger Danger's debut solo album produced entirely by the LA native himself. Incredible sample choices mixed up with drug laced experimentalism makes this, along with his previous production outing, one of the nicest debuts in a minute. Also included among the variety of guest MC's is the kid A.F.R.O.
The CD title pays obviously contribution to the 2001 book by Toby Young. In 1995 high-flying British journalist Toby Young left London for New York to become a contributing editor at Vanity Fair. But things didn't quite go according to plan. “How to Lose Friends and Alienate People” is Toby Young's hilarious account of the five years he spent looking for love in all the wrong places and steadily working his way down the New York food chain, from glossy magazine editor to crash-test dummy for interactive sex toys.

Limited edition CD!
Produced by J-Dilla!
Here we go with the lost Funky Cowboys material by Proof & Jay Dee from 1993-1994. This serious piece of wax includes 3 never heard before joints and 3 rare and officially unreleased bangers. Proof passed 12 years ago. R.I.P.

What a great combination – Chopped Herring's own Brooklyn kids, Penpals meet the incredible production skills of Scots duo Slipmat Brothers aka Jazz Spastiks on the new album “Made For The Underground”- a match made in true Underground Hip Hop heaven!!! All you can expect will be nothing but the finest and dopest vocals straight outta Brooklyn paired with dusty and jazzy beats from the Jazz Spastiks vaults.