What makes Raw Material by Mars Ill notable?

Raw Material received critical acclaim for its lyrical depth and production quality, influencing a generation of underground hip-hop artists. The album helped to elevate Mars Ill's profile within the genre, contributing to discussions around the evolution of conscious hip-hop and its cultural relevance during that era. Released in 2000, Raw Material is Mars Ill's second album, following their debut, which established them within the burgeoning underground hip-hop scene. At this point, the duo was solidifying their sound and identity, blending complex lyricism with innovative production techniques.

How many songs are on Raw Material?

Raw Material has 18 tracks, running approximately 68 minutes.

Raw Material

Mars Ill · 2000

68 min · 18 tracks · underground hip-hop

A raw fusion of gritty beats and introspective lyrics that encapsulates the underground hip-hop ethos of the early 2000s.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Sphere of Hip-Hop — This track exemplifies Mars Ill's commitment to authenticity in hip-hop, showcasing intricate wordplay and social commentary on the state of the genre.
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We'll Live Underground (Turntable Feast) — A celebration of underground culture, this track features dynamic turntablism and highlights the duo's dedication to subverting mainstream expectations.
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Black Market — With its hard-hitting beats and sharp lyrics, this track critiques commercialism within hip-hop while reinforcing Mars Ill's artistic integrity.
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Love's Not — This introspective piece delves into personal themes of love and vulnerability, showcasing the duo’s versatility beyond typical hip-hop narratives.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album blends intricate lyrics with diverse production, making it a notable entry in underground hip-hop.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features tracks that maintain a consistent tempo, while the second half introduces more varied pacing and instrumental interludes.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Mars ILL 4:27
2 Sphere of Hip-Hop 3:16
3 We'll Live Underground (Turntable Feast) 2:04
4 Black Market 4:02
5 Love's Not 5:01
6 Monotone 3:45
7 Unsound 4:44
8 Send a Man 1:49
9 Compound Fractures 3:22
10 Rap Fans 4:25
11 Under the Sun 4:43
12 Sounds of Music 5:16
13 Who Will Answer? 5:16
14 Indulgent Instrumental #1 1:26
15 Try Again 4:23
16 Touch and Go 5:04
17 Indulgent Instrumental #2 2:03
18 The END 3:35

What to play next

Listen next

Sound Methods

2002

Full Mars Ill discography Artists like Mars Ill

underground hip-hop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata