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. 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
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. DanielB
    Sep 19, 2004
    10
    Wow...so rarely see this kind of invention in such a tired usher world. Sick.
  5. 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.
  6. rodram
    Dec 28, 2005
    10
    brilliant super genius, nvr get bored of this after years..
  7. 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.
  8. TimM
    Apr 13, 2005
    9
    This album is simply incredible. Flowing... Brilliant.
  9. 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
  10. 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.
  11. dza360
    Aug 12, 2010
    10
    I have to respond to JeremyE's review. Look just because you can't understand the lyrics doesn't mean they aren't saying anything or have no meaning. I can't expect you to know what you don't know, but if you pay attention there is a lot of fascinatingly deep lyrics here. Try not to look at the world with such a literal view point. The lyrics on this album are abstract and take time toI have to respond to JeremyE's review. Look just because you can't understand the lyrics doesn't mean they aren't saying anything or have no meaning. I can't expect you to know what you don't know, but if you pay attention there is a lot of fascinatingly deep lyrics here. Try not to look at the world with such a literal view point. The lyrics on this album are abstract and take time to grasp. There are plenty of fine artists out there that say very literal things in their raps, go find them and leave what you don't understand alone.… Expand
  12. Beats
    Aug 14, 2010
    10
    This is one of the greatest albums, rap/indie wise, possibly ever. Its so well built from instrumentals to lyrical this album is a classic in my opinion. Accordion is one of the best songs on the album and can be taken in to context as one of the best rap songs in the past ten years and possibly of all time. M.F. Doom and Madlib create such a masterpiece that it will have your mind blownThis is one of the greatest albums, rap/indie wise, possibly ever. Its so well built from instrumentals to lyrical this album is a classic in my opinion. Accordion is one of the best songs on the album and can be taken in to context as one of the best rap songs in the past ten years and possibly of all time. M.F. Doom and Madlib create such a masterpiece that it will have your mind blown away from the first minute to the last. Definite buy for any indie lover or rap lover. You will never be the same again after you listen to this work of art… Expand
  13. commanderinKEEF
    Aug 19, 2010
    10
    This is one of very few albums in the rap world where I can jam to the entire album without skipping a song. Doom, being probably my personal favorite rapper, does some of his best work on this album. I heard this album being my first Madlib experience, and I was wowed. Most people don't appreciate the rap DOOM spits, but if you follow along to each spoken word, Doom is probably one ofThis is one of very few albums in the rap world where I can jam to the entire album without skipping a song. Doom, being probably my personal favorite rapper, does some of his best work on this album. I heard this album being my first Madlib experience, and I was wowed. Most people don't appreciate the rap DOOM spits, but if you follow along to each spoken word, Doom is probably one of the top ten most talented MC's of the world. Listen to this, this is BANGIN!… Expand
  14. Rafa
    Oct 1, 2010
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It is strange that the album already downloaded, is different rhymes, beats different, but the sound has an incredible quality;

    A good rap underground, MF DOOM rhymes short, dark and no chorus. Already in the beats, sounds of Madlib uses film clips, cartoons and even accordion, one thing is very complex and different from what happens in the mainstream;    … Expand
  15. Mesmerize
    Aug 9, 2016
    9
    9.5
    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
  16. SHantanubhati_3
    May 19, 2019
    3
    This album is literally nothing special it has great production but the lyrics are just some random words
    Most of the songs on the album are about nothing This whole album is content less There isn't anything special about This album except for the production
  17. 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.
  18. 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!
  19. 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.
  20. 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
  21. 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
  22. j30
    Sep 28, 2011
    9
    A very entertaining, inventive Hip-Hop album with no boundaries. Like nothing you've ever heard.
  23. 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
  24. 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.
  25. 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.
  26. 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
  27. 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.
  28. 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
  29. 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.
  30. 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
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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 »