Madvillainy
by Madvillain
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 838 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 768 out of 838
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 838
  3. Negative: 55 out of 838

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  1. Mesmerize
    Aug 9, 2016
    9
    9.5
    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
  2. FuadKyoto
    Nov 18, 2010
    9
    Truly the best hip-hop album ever made. Can you even imagine the amount of work they've put in to pick the samples? These weren't produced in no studio or whatever, these were hand-picked from a ceiling-high stack of vinyl.

    Kudos to them. Their efforts certainly have not been in vain.
  3. Labarron
    Oct 29, 2011
    10
    One of the BEST hip-hop album of all time. I'm honored that I had the opportunity to listen and own this album. The album is genius! Madlib is a awesome producer and MF Doom, is an amazing rapper (and also a producer). Because of this album, I'm a big fan of Madvillian. Can't wait for their next album together!
  4. Guivera
    Mar 1, 2011
    10
    Probably the best hip-hop album i have heard in my entire life, make sure you listen to it from start to finish. Very original and heaps of clever lyrics and nice beats. Absolutely quality hip-hop.
  5. ManWhoCritiques
    Apr 27, 2011
    10
    This album took me for a long ride and on the way explained what was wrong with mainstream rap and how the glory days are long gone. the production from Madlib were topped with a combination of lyrics that were just as strange but incredibly artistic from the undergrounds most treasured lyricst MF DOOM. Losg story short, it just matched perfectly. The unorthodox flow and the mysteriousThis album took me for a long ride and on the way explained what was wrong with mainstream rap and how the glory days are long gone. the production from Madlib were topped with a combination of lyrics that were just as strange but incredibly artistic from the undergrounds most treasured lyricst MF DOOM. Losg story short, it just matched perfectly. The unorthodox flow and the mysterious melodies put my brain into pondering mode and concluded that anything unseen by the public could easily be the best thing around. Hip hop whould be briefly revived by this album and still carrys a strong position as the best hip hop album of its decade.… Expand
  6. jimrgray86
    Jul 19, 2011
    10
    The best underground album of all-time. The entire album flows from beginning to end; a sequel is needed ASAP. No hooks because none are necessary when an MC as skilled as this handles the microphone
  7. j30
    Sep 28, 2011
    9
    A very entertaining, inventive Hip-Hop album with no boundaries. Like nothing you've ever heard.
  8. superturtle
    Jan 14, 2012
    10
    a simply mind-blowing record... DOOM lays down his signature twisted lyricism and flow over equally warped and perfectly crafted beats from the one and only Madlib. simply put, this is a landmark hip hop record. must own for all underground rap fans
  9. AndImObama
    Jun 21, 2012
    8
    The beats are mostly good. Some of them seem out of place. DOOM has good rhymes. The low ratings seem to be from children who are expecting "gangsta rap". This has very few themes regarding violence or sexuality. It's truly poetry, over nice sounds.
    Deduct one point for some weird beats, and another for some out of place silences from DOOM.
  10. charlesobrien
    Sep 8, 2012
    9
    Fantastic album which has stood the testament of almost a decade. MF Doom continues to release unprecedented rhymes over classic Madlib instrumentals. A true hip-hop classic.
  11. simonsays
    Jun 14, 2013
    9
    I don't even know why I'm bothering to review this, everyone should know by now how great this thing is, Seriously, I've yet to hear another hip-hop album as creative (while also being consistently catchy and crisp) quite like this one
  12. Andremax
    Jul 10, 2018
    10
    Amazing album to beggining 'till the end. There's several textures in music's beats and consistent rymes that fit in the beat as an instrument.
  13. jpotz
    Nov 8, 2013
    9
    There is no doubt in my mind that 'Madvillainy' has managed to convert hipsters and musical intellectuals into avid hip-hop listeners. It is a record that has inspired underground rap in a way not seen since 'Paul's Boutique'. For those who think that this album is overrated, you're missing the point. This album was never intended to be a game-changer, so there's no irony. It just requiresThere is no doubt in my mind that 'Madvillainy' has managed to convert hipsters and musical intellectuals into avid hip-hop listeners. It is a record that has inspired underground rap in a way not seen since 'Paul's Boutique'. For those who think that this album is overrated, you're missing the point. This album was never intended to be a game-changer, so there's no irony. It just requires several listens to fully appreciate, just like any album worth its salt.… Expand
  14. mnoonan98
    Apr 7, 2016
    10
    This album is a n absolute masterpiece, by the far greatest hip hop album of all time. Nothing comes close not straight outta Compton, not enter the wu-tang and not even illmatic.
  15. gabrield1234
    Apr 12, 2017
    10
    I would kill to have a tenth of the talent that these two musicians present on this album. Madvillainy is arguably the most important collaboration of all time bringing together the rhyme master himself doom, with the beat master Madlib. The album is often cited by MC's as an inspiration and I feel that many elements from To Pimp a Butterfly first make an appearance here. Spectacular albumI would kill to have a tenth of the talent that these two musicians present on this album. Madvillainy is arguably the most important collaboration of all time bringing together the rhyme master himself doom, with the beat master Madlib. The album is often cited by MC's as an inspiration and I feel that many elements from To Pimp a Butterfly first make an appearance here. Spectacular album through and through!… Expand
  16. BetterOffDead_
    May 14, 2014
    10
    excellent album, great production by madlib great flow by doom. the best abstract hip hop in my opinion.. track after track doom stays consistent, the skits on this thing fit in well this was a game changer back in 04
  17. Daniel_B
    Mar 21, 2015
    10
    Madvillainy is one of the top five rap albums of all time, no question. Doom's wordplay is intimidatingly dense, and the album is almost entirely free of hooks. Madlib's producing is the best it's ever been and pulled from all kinds of different sources. Accordion, Meat Grinder, Raid, Curls, Shadows of Tomorrow, Figaro, Strange Ways, Fancy Clown, ALL CAPS, and Rhinestone Cowboy are allMadvillainy is one of the top five rap albums of all time, no question. Doom's wordplay is intimidatingly dense, and the album is almost entirely free of hooks. Madlib's producing is the best it's ever been and pulled from all kinds of different sources. Accordion, Meat Grinder, Raid, Curls, Shadows of Tomorrow, Figaro, Strange Ways, Fancy Clown, ALL CAPS, and Rhinestone Cowboy are all individually brilliant, but the whole album is a 46 minute long high point.… Expand
  18. neighel1
    Mar 1, 2019
    10
    Just an amazing album, nothing to complain about. MF DOOM's lyricism, Madlib's production, and the amazing samples make it an easy 10/10 for me.
    My favorite tracks: All caps, Shadows of tomorrow, Accordion, Curls, Rhinestone Cowboy.
  19. padrah_
    May 6, 2017
    10
    Legitimately perfect. There are no filler tracks. No tracks that feel redundant. There's not a single piece of half-assed production on this album. MF DOOM's vocal delivery suits Madlib's production perfectly. Highlights on this album include 'Accordion', 'Fancy Clown', 'Meat Grinder', 'Figaro', and 'All Caps'. Listen to this. Now.
  20. Shady313
    Apr 11, 2015
    10
    10/10 ................................................................................................................................................
  21. ihavevocaloid
    Jun 20, 2015
    9
    Was this made in 2004? I have a hard time believing it was. With its structure, amount of tracks, the length of those tracks, and the excessive sampling (which is not a bad thing) I wouldn't even be able to believe that if this had come out in 2015, it did. What makes Madvillainy especially special is that although it feels futuristic, it takes you through a flashback of the 20th century.Was this made in 2004? I have a hard time believing it was. With its structure, amount of tracks, the length of those tracks, and the excessive sampling (which is not a bad thing) I wouldn't even be able to believe that if this had come out in 2015, it did. What makes Madvillainy especially special is that although it feels futuristic, it takes you through a flashback of the 20th century. Though the structure, tracks, and use of sampling make it feel futuristic, the samples that they used makes Madvillainy seem like it could have been made in any year from 1900 to 2100. The originality of Madvillainy is one of the things that make it a classic. The other main thing that makes it a classic is Madlib's fantastic production. The samples are all executed brilliantly and Madlib brings his own vibe to them, which I specifically love. "Accordion" made me start banging my head instantly, and the layered production of this album reminds me of the production on My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West. I'm pretty sure that Madlib influenced Kanye very greatly. And the final piece of the puzzle is DOOM's lyricism. DOOM always spits dope rhyme after dope rhyme, and although he should definitely try to be more energetic so he doesn't come off as a boring rapper, I still think that Madvillainy would have been incomplete without Doom. I liked every song on here, except two. "Rainbows" was very weird, and although it was not terrible, it still ended up being my least favorite on the album with Doom's singing and the incomplete production (only being a sample). I didn't care for "Eye" that much either, but it was more because of the fact that DOOM wasn't on it than because it was a bad song. Overall, Madvillainy is a classic because of its production, lyricism and originality. Grade: A. Highlights: "Accordion", "Raid", "America's Most Blunted", "All Caps". Worst song: "Rainbows"… Expand
  22. LtXDonut
    Aug 21, 2017
    10
    DOOM and Madlib came together to create something truly special. There's a reason this is one og the highest rated things ever released on this site. Few things I can say that haven't been said already, but please do yourself a favor and give it a listen. MADVILLAINY is fantastic.
  23. SuperRap
    Apr 9, 2015
    10
    The production is crazy. The rhymes are ill. The flows are insane. This album is sonically so different from what you're used to as a hip-hop album from the 2000's album and yet in all it's strange ways it works so well. You will find yourself rewinding to hear DOOM drop some of the most 'out there' rhyme schemes on beats filled with obscurity unmatched. I've been listening to it for yearsThe production is crazy. The rhymes are ill. The flows are insane. This album is sonically so different from what you're used to as a hip-hop album from the 2000's album and yet in all it's strange ways it works so well. You will find yourself rewinding to hear DOOM drop some of the most 'out there' rhyme schemes on beats filled with obscurity unmatched. I've been listening to it for years and still do, from start to end without skipping.… Expand
  24. hiimsmart
    Mar 27, 2016
    10
    This album is a story of two villains who just wanna throw down the strongest beats and nastiest bars known to mankind. Or are they just a couple of misunderstood boys just happened to be on the wrong side of the law?

    I never knew of these two before a certain Anthony Fantano, but damn am I glad he brought this to my attention. This is strong from start to finish and has some memorable    This album is a story of two villains who just wanna throw down the strongest beats and nastiest bars known to mankind. Or are they just a couple of misunderstood boys just happened to be on the wrong side of the law?

    I never knew of these two before a certain Anthony Fantano, but damn am I glad he brought this to my attention. This is strong from start to finish and has some memorable songs that song so different out of succession with the album listing. If you listen to this album all in one sitting, you will get the complete story of MF Doom and Mad Lib as they take you on this musical adventure of theirs.

    My favourite tracks off of this album are without a doubt: Rhinestone Cowboy, Fancy Clown, Bistro, and Figaro.    … Expand
  25. willemb98
    Feb 9, 2021
    10
    It is quite simply one of the greatest rap albums of all time, no more needs to be said. RIP MF DOOM
  26. Randomn
    Dec 5, 2016
    10
    Truly a masterpiece, clever usage of words, witty remarks and punchlines. This can be a fuel to write poetry that features the influences that Madvillainy gave to us.
  27. Gamesearcher1
    Aug 29, 2019
    8
    This album did something incredible. It made me like hip-hop. I hate the genre for its repetitiveness, its whiny ass vocalists and the usually terrible lyrics. But hell, I love a lot of this album.
    MF Doom certainly has a great voice, with an incredible flow. The other vocalists are quite nice also too, and I even like Quasimoto, even though he can get quite annoying.
    The beats are    This album did something incredible. It made me like hip-hop. I hate the genre for its repetitiveness, its whiny ass vocalists and the usually terrible lyrics. But hell, I love a lot of this album.
    MF Doom certainly has a great voice, with an incredible flow. The other vocalists are quite nice also too, and I even like Quasimoto, even though he can get quite annoying.
    The beats are great, and I adored some like "Raid" or "Meat Grinder", and Madlib manages to make even some instrumentals interesting. The sampling is done well, although it can be overdone on some songs which are just samples ("Do Not Fire!" and "The Illest Villains"). I wish there was a bit more of a jazz influence because it's done well on songs like "Rainbows".
    At 22 tracks this album flows surprisingly well, and telling different tracks apart, which for me in hip-hop is hard, was incredibly easy. Some of the songs were kind of dull, though,
    And I'd be remiss to not mention the impeccable writing of DOOM, and looking at all the rhyming schemes he establishes in almost every song is just breathtaking, and he manages to pack in so many interesting stories into them as well.
    Overall, everyone can love this album if I can. It's very entertaining and holds some of the best songs I've heard in the entire genre. I expect this to grow on me as I see more of what this genre holds.
    Favourites: Meat Grinder, America's Most Blunted, All Caps, Raid
    Least Favourites: The Illest Villains, Do Not Fire!, Great Day    … Expand
  28. ZiggeStardust
    Apr 14, 2017
    10
    ´Top 5 rap albums ever. A real masterpiece. Brilliant production from Madlib and ofcourse mental rapping from the legendary mc MF DOOM. Best songs: All caps, Meat grinder, Figaro
  29. FruitJuice
    Aug 5, 2017
    9
    a masterpiece............................................................................................................................................................
  30. upmysleeves
    Jun 12, 2018
    10
    The greatest underground hip hop of all time. Madlib and MF DOOM at their creative peak create one of the most influential and progressive hip hop records of the past 20 years.
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Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best Album of 2004
7
#7 Most Discussed Album of 2004
7
#7 Most Shared Album of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
93

Universal acclaim - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Tiny Mix Tapes
    90
    A dizzying synergy of heavy brains and chemistry, culminating in blissfully fun, irreverent, and engaging brand of record-making magic.
    Read full review
  2. Mojo
    90
    The wily creativity on display here is astonishing. [Jun 2004, p.114]
  3. Austin Chronicle
    89
    Not only does it capture the unstructured verse of a masked maniac within a sheer net of plausibility, it parades his inner dementia among instrumental adornments of the highest order.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »