Search - Binary Star :: Masters of the Universe

Bought this Album 7 years ago

Peazfool | New York NY | 04/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I knew there was a difference between hip "pop" and hip "hop" but could never touch it, grasp it and feel it until this album.



This was part of my education of hip-hop seven years ago, where curriculum included MCs verbalizing an underground movement that to me seemed un-tangible. Before hearing this album, I'd been a big fan of Arsonists, Eminem (when he still battled), Tribe Called Quest, Atmosphere, Common, Sage Francis, Zion I and Unknown Prophets. I heard the difference in their music, there was something about how they crafted rhymes out of ideas, how they defiantly refused the mainstream, corporate-run, watered-down music I heard on MTV. They provided a freshness of ideas to hip hop and put hip hop on a different stage, a stage where rappers like Run DMC, Ice Cube and Rocksteady Crew used to step on. They brought with them a level of thought processes that only few understood, a level where poetry met metaphysics met palpable themes of love, hate, and loss.



They brought with them, a positive force to hip-hop.



Since then, Eminem hit the mainstream, Atmosphere went overground, Eyedea and Brother Ali, Hieroglyphics, Aesop Rock, Anticon, Immortal Technique, MF Doom, Mr Lif and the whole Def Jux crew hit the new underground. A movie about b-boys came out, (and I know you all are saying "but You Got Served doesn't even begin to represent the underground culture" but hey at least more people know about it than before) Scribble Jam got big, Def Poetry came on the HBO scene.



And for those who chose to believe that this is "nerd rap" for suburban white kids, there's a level of both truth and hypocrisy to that argument. Yes, this misn't fusic isn't for everyone. Yes most of the kids that listen to this music probably are Caucasian and have a need for cognition. But don't limit yourself by not try something out because someone told you "this is music for who and who." The same stigma used to be (and to an extent, still is) attached to hip-hop. The media says "hip hop leads to drugs, gun violence and degradation of women." Is it true?



You must make that decision for yourself



The truth is, all of these factors contributed to what hip hop is today. There needs to be a mainstream for there to be an underground, there needs to be big business for there to be a grass roots, there needs to be a Dr Dre for Eminem to get signed, and ultimately the hip hop movement gets passed to us and it's up to Generation Y to shape and mold hip hop for what we see fit. We are not the movement, just sparkles in the stream.



After all, what art ultimately comes down to is "honest expression of self.""

Masters Indeed!

W. Turesky | East Amherst, NY USA | 06/29/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A classic underground release. If you like indy hiphop then you should pick up this album today. These two guys can really flow, especially when they are together. Rare album, so the asking price might be a little high. I would pay a maximum of $75 for this CD considering how well it was put together. I have had this CD for a while, I really can't remember how I found it but if you see anyo ther releases by Binary Star you should pick em up. These guys are very rare and I am still looking for WaterWorld I & II. I know alot about hiphop/rap and the underground and these guys are at the top of my list."

WOW, this album is sick!

N. Balow | Twin Cities, MN | 10/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Most people won't agree with me, but Onemanarmy aka. One Be Lo, is the greatest mc of all time. I think no one compares to him lyrically(his partner senim silla got crazy flow too). If you like rap, this cd has to be in your collection. On a side note, the album has too many worthless tracks without music, that is the only thing i would change about the album."