| Masters of the Universe | |
| Type: | Album |
| Artist: | Binary Star |
| Cover: | Mastersoftheuniverse.jpg |
| Released: | October 31, 2000 |
| Genre: | Alternative hip hop |
| Length: | 72:37 |
| Label: | Subterraneous Records |
| Producer: | Trackezoids |
| Prev Title: | Waterworld |
| Prev Year: | 1999 |
| Next Title: | Light Years Apart |
| Next Year: | 2012 |
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,[1] though it only sold around 20,000 copies.[2]
Masters of the Universe was re-released on July 25, 2006 by Infinite Rhythm Network.
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.[3]
| Title | Producer(s) | Performer (s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Reality Check" | OneManArmy | OneManArmy, Senim Silla | |
| 2 | "Conquistadors" | Decompoze | OneManArmy, Senim Silla | |
| 3 | "Solar Powered (Intro)" |
| ||
| 4 | "Solar Powered" | OneManArmy | OneManArmy, Senim Silla | |
| 5 | "Slang Blade (Intro)" |
| ||
| 6 | "Slang Blade" | Decompoze | Senim Silla | |
| 7 | "Binary Shuffle (Intro)" |
| ||
| 8 | "Binary Shuffle" | Senim Silla | OneManArmy, Senim Silla | |
| 9 | "Fellowship" | OneManArmy | OneManArmy, Senim Silla, Athletic Mic League, Decompoze | |
| 10 | "New Hip Hop" | Decompoze | OneManArmy, Senim Silla | |
| 11 | "Masters of the Universe" | Decompoze | OneManArmy, Senim Silla | |
| 12 | "Indy 500" | Decompoze | Decompoze | |
| 13 | "Evolution of Man" | Decompoze | OneManArmy, Brenda J | |
| 14 | "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Part 1)" | Decompoze | Senim Silla | |
| 15 | "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Part 2)" | Decompoze | OneManArmy | |
| 16 | "Honest Expression" | OneManArmy | OneManArmy, Senim Silla | |
| 17 | "Honest Expression (Outro)" |
| ||
| 18 | "Glen Close" | Decompoze, OneManArmy | OneManArmy | |
| 19 | "Wolfman Jack (Intro)" |
| ||
| 20 | "Wolfman Jack" | Decompoze, OneManArmy | OneManArmy, Senim Silla | |
| 21 | "OneManArmy" | OneManArmy | OneManArmy | |
| 22 | "The KGB (Intro)" |
| ||
| 23 | "The KGB" | OneManArmy | Malaki, Senim Silla, Texture, Elzhi, O-Type, Lacks, OneManArmy, J.U.I.C.E. | |
| 24 | "Album Outro" |
|