About

The original release of the Madlib and J Dilla collab, created between Los Angeles and Detroit in 2002-2003. 

The project was conceived in fall 2002 after Stones Throw released a limited edition 12" featuring "The Message," a track made by Madlib in 2000, flipping Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five's lyrics over a J Dilla beat. The song, unofficially credited to "Jaylib," was never intended for commercial release, but it got the two producer/mc's together to talk about an equal collaboration. Dilla & Madlib previously worked together briefly in Detroit, late 2001, on a project which was never completed.

As each were situated in their home towns (Dilla in Detroit and Madlib in L.A.), they fleshed out Champion Sound, which will easily win the award for the Most Blunted Album of the Year; these guys were smoking serious greens while working this one out. As one might expect, the production qualities of an album made by two of hip-hop's most celebrated producers is rich in texture, innovation, and solid momentum. Where Madlib is a seasoned MC (look at Lootpack's Soundpieces or Quasimoto's The Unseen), Dilla is not. He's not bad, just rougher around the edges, which lends to a disorienting listen in general. The beats are slapped together, whacked samples are abruptly dropped, and the lyrics are steps behind the beat and generally about nothing but b-boy posturing and other nonsense. All of which results in a very unique and strangely rewarding album. While it may require repeated listens to take hold, Champion Sound is full of a lot more winners than losers. —(via AllMusic)

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