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Beauty And The Beat Image
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 36 Ratings

  • Summary: This self-produced second album for the Boston-based rapper includes guest appearances from Mr. Lif, Percee P, Dagah and Insight.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 18
  2. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Edan has lowered his tone, beefed up his content, mastered an independent, creative production style and crafted a concise album that makes a strong stab for early album of the year bids.
  2. If hip-hop had existed in the days of the Filmore, Woodstock and the Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, Edan would have been right on the bus.
  3. Urb
    90
    With an awe-inspiring imagination in tow, Edan drops his own distinct magical mystery tour. [Apr 2005, p.101]
  4. Uncut
    80
    Edan's punch and broad vision distinguish him from the rest of the pack. [Jun 2005, p.110]
  5. It's sucker punch after sucker punch of syllable-swapping fun.
  6. The overall feel is of an academic exercise in hip-hop cultural anthropology.
  7. If Edan can sort out the dismayingly schizophrenic nature of Beauty and the Beat, he could harness his immense potential as both a rapper and lyricist and create something pretty cool, especially if he gets guest-MCs who perform as well as Insight, Percee P, and Mr. Lif do on this album.

See all 18 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 24
  2. Negative: 1 out of 24
  1. GabeD
    Apr 8, 2005
    10
    This album is incredible. Blew me away from first listen, and the more lyrics I pick up on, the better it gets.
  2. daniels
    Jan 23, 2007
    10
    This is some hot stuff. Beauty is one of the best beats. Ever.
  3. JimmyJ
    May 2, 2005
    10
    Spectacular! Beauty and the Beat joins Blazing Arrow, The Unseen and Madvillianany in the pantheon of underground brilliance.
  4. GAxe
    Jul 2, 2005
    10
    This is a truly good hip-hop album, largely due to Edan's ability to soak up his broad scope of influences and spill them out again in This is a truly good hip-hop album, largely due to Edan's ability to soak up his broad scope of influences and spill them out again in kaleidoscope patterns. I really love an album that shows up mainstream rappers as the derivative hacks they are. Expand
  5. DopeCope
    Dec 24, 2005
    10
    A refreshing, original, intelligent, and emphatic sophomore effort by Edan. My favorite album of '05.
  6. ArniS
    Jun 5, 2005
    9
    Extreemely creative and cool music. One of the best hip hop album in recent years. Still it ranks no. 2 for 2005, second only to Lord Quas.
  7. ChrisF
    Apr 14, 2005
    2
    this dude blows. Beats are ok, but if you want to listen to some suburbian kid re-enact the wu tang clan... this is for you. I'm happy this dude blows. Beats are ok, but if you want to listen to some suburbian kid re-enact the wu tang clan... this is for you. I'm happy with the real thing. Expand

See all 24 User Reviews