When the virtuosic MC, MF DOOM teamed up with equally talented LA producer Madlib to work on a Stones Throw LP back in 2004, it was pretty easy to predict the remarkably high dopeness quotient. Anything less than a superb album wasn't actually possible. This opinion has consistently been reconfirmed by one stellar review after another, making Madvillainy a serious contender for the most critically acclaimed indie hip hop album in recent years. Even the cover was dope, damnit! Jeff Jank always kills it.
Thankfully for vinyl toy connoisseurs, hip hop connoisseurs and even just for the legions of rabid Metal Face fans out there, the creative and collaborative efforts didn't end with the Madvillainy LP – not by a longshot. First of all, the album spawned three dope videos ["All Caps," "Rhinestone Cowboy," and the yet-to-be-released "Accordion"] which is sort of a lot for an indie album. Then there were the two remix EPs by Four Tet and Koushik respectively.
Having explored all the audio possibilities, Stones Throw looked to toy maker Kid Robot for the ill vinyl toy collabo, which is the star of this issue's "Toy Story." They based the figure on the character developed by James Reitano, who animated the "All Caps" video, which was definitely not a bad idea. Dude's illustrations are tight! Standing 10- inches tall with articulated arms, two colors were released and they are both becoming increasingly hard to locate. You've heard the album, you've bought the toy; just wait for the amusement park ride.