Masters of Illusion (album)
{{Infobox album
| name = Masters of Illusion
| type = studio
| artist = Masters of Illusion
| cover = Masters of Illusion Instrumentals.jpg
| alt =
| released = November 14, 2000
| recorded = 1998–2000
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = {{hlist|Alternative hip hop|underground hip hop}}
| length = 65:15
| label = Threshold Records
| producer = KutMasta Kurt (also exec.)
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = Kool Keith
| type = studio
| prev_title = Pimp to Eat
| prev_year = 2000
| title = Masters of Illusion
| year = 2000
| next_title = Spankmaster
| next_year = 2001
|}}
{{Extra chronology
| artist = KutMasta Kurt
| type = studio
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| title = Masters of Illusion
| year = 2000
| next_title = Diesel Truckers
| next_year = 2004
|}}
{{Extra chronology
| artist = Motion Man
| type = studio
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| title = Masters of Illusion
| year = 2000
| next_title = Clearing the Field
| next_year = 2002
|}}
{{Singles
| name = Masters of Illusion
| type = studio
| single1 = Partnas Confused/Masters Of Illusion
| single1date = 1998
| single2 = Partnas Confused/Magnum Be I
| single2date = 1999
| single3 = We All Over/Souped Up
| single3date = 2000
| single4 = The Bay-Bronx Bridge/Silk Suit, Black Linen
| single4date = 2000
| single5 = Urban Legends/Let Me Talk To You
| single5date = 2001
|}}
|}}
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = Allmusic
| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/masters-of-illusion-mw0000107481|title=Masters of Illusion - Masters of Illusion|last=Meyer|first=Lee|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=November 26, 2017}}
| rev2 = HipHopDX
| rev2score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web|last=Staff |first=DX |url=https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.36/title.kutmasta-kurt-masters-of-illusion# |title=KutMasta Kurt - Masters of Illusion |work=HipHopDX|date=March 26, 2001 |accessdate=November 26, 2016}}
| rev3 = RapReviews
|}}
Masters of Illusion is the eponymous debut album of American hip hop group Masters of Illusion, composed of producer KutMasta Kurt and rappers Kool Keith & Motion Man. It was released on November 14, 2000, via Threshold Records. The project features no guest emcees, but does feature DJ cuts/scratches by DJ Revolution, DJ Babu and DJ Rhettmatic.
Some CD releases also come with a free instrumental version of the album, as is typical with Kool Keith releases (Dr. Octagonecologyst, First Come, First Served, etc.)
Track listing
{{Track listing
| all_writing =
| all_music = KutMasta Kurt
| title1 = Figment
| note1 = Intro
| length1 = 0:39
| writer1 = {{hlist|P. Laster|K. Matlin|K. Thornton}}
| title2 = Masters of Illusion
| length2 = 3:06
| writer2 = {{hlist|P. Laster|K. Matlin|K. Thornton}}
| title3 = We All Over
| length3 = 3:43
| writer3 = {{hlist|P. Laster|K. Matlin|K. Thornton}}
| title4 = Magnum Be I
| length4 = 3:21
| writer4 = {{hlist|P. Laster|K. Matlin}}
| title5 = U Want Freestyle?
| length5 = 2:28
| writer5 = {{hlist|K. Matlin|K. Thornton}}
| title6 = Scared Straight
| length6 = 3:01
| writer6 = {{hlist|P. Laster|K. Matlin|K. Thornton}}
| title7 = Time 2 Get Right
| length7 = 4:21
| writer7 = {{hlist|P. Laster|K. Matlin|K. Thornton}}
| title8 = Step Up
| length8 = 3:20
| writer8 = {{hlist|P. Laster|K. Matlin|K. Thornton}}
| title9 = The Funky Redneck
| note9 = Skit
| length9 = 1:48
| writer9 = {{hlist|P. Laster|K. Matlin|K. Thornton}}
| title10 = East West Hustlers
| length10 = 4:24
| writer10 = {{hlist|P. Laster|K. Matlin|K. Thornton}}
| title11 = The Bay-Bronx Bridge
| length11 = 3:40
| writer11 = {{hlist|P. Laster|K. Matlin|K. Thornton}}
| title12 = Call the National Guard
| length12 = 3:06
| writer12 = {{hlist|P. Laster|K. Matlin}}
| title13 = Back up Kid
| length13 = 3:34
| writer13 = {{hlist|K. Matlin|K. Thornton}}
| title14 = Partnas Confused
| length14 = 3:45
| writer14 = {{hlist|P. Laster|K. Matlin|K. Thornton}}
| title15 = Souped Up
| length15 = 3:23
| writer15 = {{hlist|P. Laster|K. Matlin|K. Thornton}}
| title16 = Urban Legends
| length16 = 3:41
| writer16 = {{hlist|P. Laster|K. Matlin|K. Thornton}}
| title17 = Clifton's Conversation
| note17 = Skit
| length17 = 0:21
| writer17 = {{hlist|P. Laster|K. Matlin|K. Thornton}}
| title18 = Let Me Talk to You
| length18 = 11:52
| writer18 = {{hlist|P. Laster|K. Matlin|K. Thornton}}
| title19 = Silk Suit Black Linen
| length19 = 1:42
| writer19 = {{hlist|P. Laster|K. Matlin|K. Thornton}}
| total_length = 1:05:15
}}
Notes
- Tracks 3, 5, 8, 12 and 14 featured DJ cuts by DJ Revolution
- Track 7 featured DJ cuts by DJ Rhettmatic
- Track 16 featured DJ cuts by DJ Babu
Personnel
- Kurt Matlin – lyrics, producer, mixing, arranging, executive producer
- Keith Matthew Thornton – lyrics (tracks: 1–3, 5–11, 13–19), vocals
- Paul K. Laster – lyrics (tracks: 1–4, 6–12, 14–19), vocals
- Kurt G. Hoffman – scratches/cuts (tracks: 3, 5, 8, 12, 14)
- Nazareth Nirza – scratches/cuts (track 7)
- Melvin Babu – scratches/cuts (track 16)
- Scott Zuschin – voice (track 1)
- Ken Lee – mastering
- Jim Rasfeld – layout
- James Reitano – artwork
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/KutMasta-Kurt-Presents-Masters-Of-Illusion-Kut-Masta-Kurt-Presents-Masters-Of-Illusion/master/76658|title=KutMasta Kurt* Presents Masters Of Illusion - Kut Masta Kurt Presents Masters Of Illusion|website=Discogs|language=en}}
- {{Cite web|url=https://koolkeith.bandcamp.com/album/masters-of-illusion-2|title=Masters Of Illusion, by KutMasta Kurt Presents|website=Bandcamp}}
{{Kool Keith}}
{{Authority control}}