In 2002, demos of ‘Madvillainy’ were leaked online. The tracks included early vocals by MF DOOM, recorded and quickly mixed at Madlib‘s Bomb Shelter studio in Los Angeles. While the demos were unfinished, fans immediately knew this was a special hip-hop album, one that was different from all the others.
DOOM re-recorded the vocals – on the track ‘Rhinestone Cowboy’ he alludes to the leak – and Madlib added new beats and changed the order. Leaks could kill an album’s momentum in the early 2000s, but not here. The demos only whetted fans’ appetites. When ‘Madvillainy’ came out in 2004, it was “one of the most anticipated releases in underground rap history,” according to Pitchfork. ‘Madvillainy’ is now considered one of the best hip-hop albums of all time.
– Available on vinyl for the first time
– Vinyl sleeve and insert feature newly released archive photos by Eric Coleman (who photographed the original cover of Madvillainy).
– Mastered by Dave Cooley, who also mastered Madvillainy.
Tracklist:
A-Side
1. Do Not Fire! (demo)
2. Bistro (demo)
3. One False Move (“Great Day” demo)
4. America’s Most Blunted (demo)
5. Operation Lifesaver… AKA Mint Test (demo)
6. Figaro (demo)
7. Rainbows (demo)
8. Just for Kicks (“Meat Grinder” demo)
B-Side
1. Fancy Clown (demo)
2. Shadows of Tomorrow (demo)
3. Money Folder (demo)
4. Stakes (“Supervillain Theme” demo)
5. All Caps (demo)
6. One False Move (“Great Day’” demo instrumental)