Flashback Friday: Dr. Octagon and Madvillain
Hip-hop has always been ahead of the curve. While most of y’all have just started embracing comic book culture in the past decade, some of rap’s most eclectic MCs have long used tales of superheroes – and super villains – as a foundation for their music. Check out two of rap’s most celebrated and inventive releases.
Dr. Octagon, Dr. Octagonecologyst (1996)
By the late 90s, Kool Keith was considered a rap pioneer due to his work with the Ultramagnetic MCs. But it wasn’t until he broke out on his own and donned his Dr. Octagon persona that I really began to take notice of him. Dr. Octagon is essentially a crazy gynecologist from the future, so yeah, this album is pretty bizarre. But it’s Keith’s creativity that makes this a must-hear – it’s quietly become one of the more influential albums in hip-hop.
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Madvillain, Madvillainy (2004)
No offense to UGK, but MF DOOM and Madlib could also claim to be underground kings. While those two names might not ring bells with fans of mainstream rap, DOOM and Madlib have been the bars and beats behind some of hip-hop’s greatest tracks over the past two decades. Their collabo album, Madvillainy, features some of their best work. There’s a reason why Madvillainy consistently pops up on those “best rap albums ever” lists. Listen and learn why.
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Now, it’s your turn. Email soulinstereoblog@gmail.com hit me up on Twitter @etbowser, or stop by the comments section and share your Flashback Friday album. Leave a couple of sentences describing what makes it so great. I’ll feature your album on the blog.
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