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. MikeC
    Jul 8, 2006
    10
    I bought this album on critical responce after I head a bunch of good things about Doom, this album is easlily my favorite hip hop album, which is odd because it's so current, but its badass, the beats are spectacular, the punk rock presentation is endearing, and the buttery smooth flow is bodacious, Every single hip hop fan needs to own this album as a reference point to greatness.
  2. proj10
    Aug 28, 2006
    10
    dopeness at it's maximum
  3. AshleyB
    Nov 18, 2004
    9
    "Mad man never goes (*pop*) like snot bubbles." If somebody overdosed on pcp, they couldn't come up with something like that. The most original album I have heard in a while!
  4. JoseG
    Nov 7, 2004
    10
    This is the best album since never....This is on another level. You can't rate it along with any other album. Simply BRILLIANT!!!!
  5. DrewW
    Dec 19, 2004
    10
    It took some time to love, and now I can't stop listening. The lyrics are good , but the samples are genius.
  6. ShabarO
    Dec 22, 2004
    10
    Not only a perfect note it should be a blue note. That is what I call jazz!
  7. DJMayday
    Dec 23, 2004
    10
    Wildly overrated??? Son, please...try as we all might, you cannot overhype a masterpiece. Madvillainy joins a very elite lineup--jazzed like Tribe, blitzed like Wu, tight as all hell...requires--no, DEMANDS--spin after spin. Yes, Madlib and Doom have dropped hands down the best hip hop release of 2004, but more than that, they've set a precedent: to take a shot at all-time Wildly overrated??? Son, please...try as we all might, you cannot overhype a masterpiece. Madvillainy joins a very elite lineup--jazzed like Tribe, blitzed like Wu, tight as all hell...requires--no, DEMANDS--spin after spin. Yes, Madlib and Doom have dropped hands down the best hip hop release of 2004, but more than that, they've set a precedent: to take a shot at all-time greatness--whoever you are--that next record's gonna be held up against this one.… Expand
  8. timd
    Mar 26, 2004
    10
    Like all great pop art this album is familiar and decidedly alien. Engaging and oddly distant. MF Doom and Madlib are the best thing happening in underground hip hop, undercutting El-P and his Def Jukies on the grounds of inovative music by altering musical preconceptions as well as contexual ones. Perhaps more hip hop should keep it sureal.
  9. VinceH
    May 21, 2004
    10
    I have to admit I didn't like this album at first. I liked it, I just didn't LOVE it like other people did. Now it's one of my favorite CD's in my collection. It grows on you with repeated listenings so definitely spin it a few times to really get it. A complex, sprawling work that if there is any justice in the world will get nominated for some type of award.
  10. RobertA
    Jun 15, 2004
    9
    Jampacked full of complete originality. great cd. great music but the Street Fighter 2 sounds in one song won me over. 9 for sure. like nothing you have ever heard before.
  11. DanielB
    Sep 19, 2004
    10
    Wow...so rarely see this kind of invention in such a tired usher world. Sick.
  12. GinaM
    Nov 17, 2005
    10
    i really think this is such an amazing album. the sampling along with the wild rapping is excellently done, and just because all of MF Doom's lyrics don't always make sense it TOTALLY works on this album, it's almost more intelligent. i would definitely recommend this album to anyone.
  13. rodram
    Dec 28, 2005
    10
    brilliant super genius, nvr get bored of this after years..
  14. JoeyB
    Jan 23, 2005
    10
    My first exposure to MF Doom has blown me away. I didn't know what to say to what I was listening to as it came through the speakers, but I could only stutter and blink in awe. What a great album.
  15. TimM
    Apr 13, 2005
    9
    This album is simply incredible. Flowing... Brilliant.
  16. ON
    Feb 17, 2006
    7
    Madvillainy is a decent album, though to be perfectly honest I expected a lot more from MF Doom after all the hype. And maybe that's why I'm only giving it a 7. After hearing so much about Doom's creative genius it's easy to be disappointed. Is it genius to not have a chorus in any song? I don't know. Is it genius to create "abstract" raps? I don't know. But Madvillainy is a decent album, though to be perfectly honest I expected a lot more from MF Doom after all the hype. And maybe that's why I'm only giving it a 7. After hearing so much about Doom's creative genius it's easy to be disappointed. Is it genius to not have a chorus in any song? I don't know. Is it genius to create "abstract" raps? I don't know. But I know what I like, and I like having some choruses and having some raps that have a story to tell. This album's got some sweet beats and his rhythm is pretty tight, but my expectations were way higher.… Expand
  17. DanH
    Jul 31, 2006
    10
    Great album. But to anyone who disses Doom as an MC: name one rapper out today with a more unique style. You can't. And Madlibs beats are cool, perfect for Doom's style.
  18. 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.
  19. Trillmatic
    Nov 6, 2011
    10
    A masterpiece. MF DOOM is one of the most talented rappers I have ever heard (and I've heard 100's of albums), and Madlib is one of the greatest and most diverse producers in the world. The combination of the two works extremely well, as the two have a very similar sound. This is a must for any hip hop fan to listen to.
  20. YourActualDad
    Dec 1, 2018
    10
    A masterpiece in every way imaginable. The production by Madlib is nothing less than perfection and some of the best I've ever heard. MF DOOM brings his legendary flow and the best lyrics in the game. The two combine to create the best Producer-Rapper combo I think I've ever heard. Their styles mesh perfectly and there isn't a single track that I wasn't blown away by.
  21. fomalhaut
    Nov 3, 2019
    10
    The perfect combination of Madlib's best production and Doom's rap. It was released in 2004, but it's out of date.
  22. Metahypnotoad
    Jan 22, 2020
    9
    Short, punchy, lyrically smart, and incredibly produced, Madvillainy is a collaboration of Madlib and MF DOOM at the peak of their powers. The rapping of DOOM on this album is very impressive in terms of both lyrics and flow, that combine wit and double entendres that leave you discovering more with every listen. This is complimented perfectly by Madlib's production, likely with the helpShort, punchy, lyrically smart, and incredibly produced, Madvillainy is a collaboration of Madlib and MF DOOM at the peak of their powers. The rapping of DOOM on this album is very impressive in terms of both lyrics and flow, that combine wit and double entendres that leave you discovering more with every listen. This is complimented perfectly by Madlib's production, likely with the help of DOOM's own production abilities, both being masters of sampling, with Madlib perhaps the more polished of the two. This is perhaps what makes this album so impressive, a unique blend of two creative minds combining their own independent talents into an endlessly enjoyable album that always leaves you wanting more.… Expand
  23. Klol
    Sep 3, 2020
    10
    This album is my #1 of all time. It is the only album that I find every track to be a 10. The production by Madlib is insane. The lyrics and flow by MF DOOM is again, insane. The album is also quite consistent.
  24. madhappy
    May 8, 2021
    10
    the best album ever made, everything this man rhymes is a punchline and he has a unique flow that stays undefeated a whole 17 years later
  25. tobyxnd
    Apr 23, 2022
    10
    After a year of listening and loving this album, I've come to the conclusion that this is one hundred percent one of the best albums ever made. DOOM's lyrical ability on this LP really shines paired with the funky, soulful beats by MADLIB never fail to keep me entertained. Even with the short run-time on tracks and even the album I still love this album. Even with the countless otherAfter a year of listening and loving this album, I've come to the conclusion that this is one hundred percent one of the best albums ever made. DOOM's lyrical ability on this LP really shines paired with the funky, soulful beats by MADLIB never fail to keep me entertained. Even with the short run-time on tracks and even the album I still love this album. Even with the countless other classics that came out in the 2000s era of music, MADVILLIANY still comes out on the top the list. It's a tragedy that we had to lose the legend that is MF DOOM.… Expand
  26. Pewpskii
    Jan 26, 2023
    10
    One of the best rap albums of all time. Really just an excellent, timeless album from the Illest Villain.
  27. SeppM
    Mar 12, 2007
    10
    an unbelievable album!!!
  28. MichaelC
    Sep 1, 2006
    10
    It's one of the few albums that I can listen to over and over and over again, every track flows so flawlessy, and are instantly catchy, but there are plenty of hidden tresures in some of these songs, that you start to notice on about the 10th listen. A Classic no doubt, almost as good as The Unseen.
  29. JBone
    Sep 15, 2006
    10
    I don't give out tens easily. This album is a ten. Basically, if you are a fan of Madlib's disctinct production style, then this is a masterpiece you must check out. Immediately. Art meets entertainment in a most equisite package/
  30. MFDOOMMFDOOM
    Mar 22, 2007
    10
    Gets more fresh and fresh after every listen.
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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 »