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. The release is largely a remixed and rearranged version of their 1999 debut Waterworld. The album was one of the most acclaimed underground hip hop releases of 2000, though it only sold around 20,000 copies.Subterraneous Is A Movement
Masters of the Universe was re-released on July 25, 2006 by Infinite Rhythm Network.
Critical reception
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." 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." 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.
Track listing
#TitleProducer(s)Performer (s)1"Reality Check"OneManArmyOneManArmy, Senim Silla2"Conquistadors"DecompozeOneManArmy, Senim Silla3"Solar Powered (Intro)"*Interlude*4"Solar Powered"OneManArmyOneManArmy, Senim Silla5"Slang Blade (Intro)"*Interlude*6"Slang Blade"DecompozeSenim Silla7"Binary Shuffle (Intro)"*Interlude*8"Binary Shuffle"Senim SillaOneManArmy, Senim Silla9"Fellowship"OneManArmyOneManArmy, Senim Silla, Athletic Mic League, Decompoze10"New Hip Hop"DecompozeOneManArmy, Senim Silla11"Masters of the Universe"DecompozeOneManArmy, Senim Silla12"Indy 500"DecompozeDecompoze13"Evolution of Man"DecompozeOneManArmy, Brenda J14"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Part 1)"DecompozeSenim Silla15"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Part 2)"DecompozeOneManArmy16"Honest Expression"OneManArmyOneManArmy, Senim Silla17"Honest Expression (Outro)"*Interlude*18"Glen Close"Decompoze, OneManArmyOneManArmy19"Wolfman Jack (Intro)"*Interlude*20"Wolfman Jack"Decompoze, OneManArmyOneManArmy, Senim Silla21"OneManArmy"OneManArmyOneManArmy22"The KGB (Intro)"*Interlude*23"The KGB"OneManArmyMalaki, Senim Silla, Texture, Elzhi, O-Type, Lacks, OneManArmy, J.U.I.C.E.24"Album Outro"*Interlude*
References