Masters of the Universe | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | October 31, 2000 | |||
Genre | Alternative hip hop | |||
Length | 72:37 | |||
Label | Subterraneous Records | |||
Producer | Trackezoids | |||
Binary Star chronology | ||||
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Masters of the Universe is the second and final studio album from American hip hop duo Binary Star (Senim Silla & One Be Lo), released on October 31, 2000. [1] The release is largely a remixed and rearranged version of their 1999 debut Waterworld . [2] The album was one of the most acclaimed underground hip hop releases of 2000, [3] though it only sold around 20,000 copies. [4]
Masters of the Universe was re-released on July 25, 2006 by Infinite Rhythm Network.
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [1] |
RapReviews.com | 9/10 [2] |
In a review for AllMusic, Brad Mills wrote that the album has "everything a great hip-hop album requires, with varied beats, differing rhyme deliveries, and content you'll find yourself thinking about long after it's been said." He rated the album 4.5 out of 5 stars, and noted that "without huge marketing budget from a major label, this album will probably fail to reach the level of success it deserves." [1] At RapReviews, Steve Juon rated the album 9 out of 10, and argued the album "represents everything that's right about underground hip-hop... Very few albums that come out are as well conceived or prepared as "Masters of the Universe" – which proves exactly why the title of Binary Star's national debut is truly apt." [2] In a 2014 "Album of the Week" for Bonus Cut, Daniel Hodgman wrote that the album was an "aggressive mix of raw underground hip-hop and self-conscious lyricism... Most of what makes Masters of the Universe pleasing is its relentless punchlines, vast lyrical depth and succinct production as an underground hit. [5]
# | Title | Producer(s) | Performer (s) |
---|---|---|---|
1 | "Reality Check" | OneManArmy | OneManArmy, Senim Silla |
2 | "Conquistadors" | Decompoze | OneManArmy, Senim Silla |
3 | "Solar Powered (Intro)" | *Interlude* | |
4 | "Solar Powered" | OneManArmy | OneManArmy, Senim Silla |
5 | "Slang Blade (Intro)" | *Interlude* | |
6 | "Slang Blade" | Decompoze | Senim Silla |
7 | "Binary Shuffle (Intro)" | *Interlude* | |
8 | "Binary Shuffle" | Senim Silla | OneManArmy, Senim Silla |
9 | "Fellowship" | OneManArmy | OneManArmy, Senim Silla, Athletic Mic League, Decompoze |
10 | "New Hip Hop" | Decompoze | OneManArmy, Senim Silla |
11 | "Masters of the Universe" | Decompoze | OneManArmy, Senim Silla |
12 | "Indy 500" | Decompoze | Decompoze |
13 | "Evolution of Man" | Decompoze | OneManArmy, Brenda J |
14 | "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Part 1)" | Decompoze | Senim Silla |
15 | "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Part 2)" | Decompoze | OneManArmy |
16 | "Honest Expression" | OneManArmy | OneManArmy, Senim Silla |
17 | "Honest Expression (Outro)" | *Interlude* | |
18 | "Glen Close" | Decompoze, OneManArmy | OneManArmy |
19 | "Wolfman Jack (Intro)" | *Interlude* | |
20 | "Wolfman Jack" | Decompoze, OneManArmy | OneManArmy, Senim Silla |
21 | "OneManArmy" | OneManArmy | OneManArmy |
22 | "The KGB (Intro)" | *Interlude* | |
23 | "The KGB" | OneManArmy | Malaki, Senim Silla, Texture, Elzhi, O-Type, Lacks, OneManArmy, J.U.I.C.E. |
24 | "Album Outro" | *Interlude* |
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