"If forced hip hop is gettin to ya; if jiggy or gangsta rap is givin you a headache; if corny, predictable beats and rhymes are numbin your thoughts; if all you really want is fresh, I mean chill see-your-breath fresh hip hop, then Mars Ill is the pill to pop to ease that dull throb in your skull.
Soulheir the MANchild flips his rhymes easy, but keeps his cryptic word-play packin' enuff punch to have you reelin'. And he does so over expansive, intellegent, head-noddin' creations by DJ Dust.
Seriously, this album has plenty of bumpin' tracks and runs long: which means that'll only lengthen the eargasm you'll be havin'.
Raw Material keeps your cereal crunchy with ill concepts too. Thru every avenue of rhyme or beat expression the ideas conveyed are extracted to wax facts and style; and the guest's spit the best saliva when its their turn to shine.
Mars Ill's Raw Material is as good as as any Dilated Peoples or Lone Catalysts, and might be better."
Its in the name...ILL!
Cam | Calgary, AB, Canada | 09/11/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Word up...
As far as underground hip hop goes there very rarely is a group that can put all the pieces together. Some have the beats, some have the lyrics, some have the overall sound and production, Mars Ill has it all. This isnt so much an LP as a collection of perfectly crafted words and music, an underground clasic if you must. Mars Ill has the talent to capture a listener with creativity and imagination. With there content based in the roots of their faith in christianity this is one raw album you can drop the windows to, drive a little slower, bump LOUD, and know your dope. Pick it up!
Peace and Godbless
Lingo"
Mars Ill.. Bringing Hip Hop Back To Its True Elements!!
Edwin Diaz | 29 Palms California | 09/12/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"One word for this album HOT.. Comprised of Man-Child(lyrical genious) and Dj. Dust (skillful turntablist) Mars Ill puts together a sound, which they boast to be "Underground", and yes they most definately do keep it real. On the Tracks "Sphere of Hip Hop" Pt. 1 & 2 Man-Child spits the real, reguarding the hip hop culture (the innovation that has brought it up, but also all the mess that is bringing it down), while taking you on a trip through the world of hip hop that has been evolving since Sugar Hill Gang released "Rappers Delight" A nice bonus on this cd are tracks by DJ Dust.. no lyrics, just the turntablist doing his thing on the wheels of steel, Brother got skillz.
This album is a must to Cop if you crave anointed hip hop. Mars Ill has a style which could very well have made them a big secular act.. but dont mistake it, Christ is truly the CENTER of this album!"
Fresh & so clean clean
trailblaza | UNC | 09/11/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Mars ILL is one of the dopest crews in the hip-hop underground. Soulheir the manCHILD and DJ Dust display a verbal arsenal & scratching skills that are severely lacking in today's industry. This is quality hip-hop for the masses & has everything you'll ever find in a hip-hop album: articulate rhymes, scratching, guest emcees, shout outs & phat beats. This is a must have for every hip-hop fan."
The real deal
Sheeky | Bakersfield, CA | 06/27/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"everything that has every come from Mars Ill has been amazing, including this first, nationally distributed album. These guys are true heroes of the underground scene, too, unlike these mega stars who have to have gimmicky stories and actions to build up some false credentials.
I can't say enough about this band and this album, the music speaks for itself. Check it out. My personal favorite on this album is Sphere of Hip Hop."