Recorded 1997−1998 2000 Fold
(1998) Megadef
(2003) Release date 24 August 1999 | Length 59:02 Artist Styles of Beyond Label Ideal Records | |
 | ||
Released August 18, 1998 (Original)
August 24, 1999 (Re-release) Producer Divine Styler, DJ Cheapshot, Vin Skully
Mike Shinoda (for "Marco Polo") Genres Hip hop music, Underground hip hop Similar Styles of Beyond albums, Hip hop music albums | ||
2000 Fold is Los Angeles underground rap group Styles of Beyond's first studio album, which was released on Bilawn Records on August 18, 1998 and re-released on August 24, 1999 on SpyTech Records. This album was only released in an "edited version", whereas Megadef was only released in an "explicit version". 2000 Fold was out of print for several years, and was then only available as a download via iTunes and Amazon. In July 2007, it was made available once again in CD format, on both the Projekt Revolution and SpyTech Records official web-stores.
Contents
Styles of beyond 2000 fold
Background and composition
2000 Fold was produced by many producers, but the best known was Divine Styler and Mike Shinoda, who later became a platform for the group to show their talent after 2004. The other producers for the album were the members of the group. It became a breakthrough album for the group. The album cover was designed by Shinoda, and the photography was done by Joe Hahn. The album contains songs, which included samples from various other songs by artists, including Black Moon, Organized Konfusion, Michael Franks, Eric B & Rakim, Mobb Deep, Graham Nash, Chic, A Tribe Called Quest, The Seeds, EPMD and Depeche Mode.
Singles
The album spawned four singles, out of which "Spies Like Us" and its remix, as well as "Easy Back It Up" had a music video. Whereas "Winnetka Exit" and "2000 Fold" did not have a music video.
Critical reception
2000 Fold received generally positive reviews. The critics gave the album a loud applause and comparing the group with the artists like Prince Paul or Kool Keith. Allmusic gave the album 4 out of 5 stars saying that Styles have professed and display an appreciation for that early-'90s mindset with cleverly used electro-funk samples and rapid rhyming trade offs between Ryu and Takbir. RapReviews gave the album a rating of 9 out of 10 and opposing the censorship in the album saying, "For some reason, this entire album is censored. It makes no sense - but then again, neither does the fact they can freak so many diverse sounds and still retain sanity. If you're not completely satisfied.. well I can't get you your money back, but I'll be damn surprised."
Sputnik music gave the album a rating of 4.5 out of 5, saying that the album is great, and praising the group as, first things first. These guys can rap. No doubt, when you hear the way Ryu and Tak flow you'll be amazed. While Tak presents the smooth-as-silk flow, Ryu brings the punchline pain. A duo of rap Gods that seemed untouchable in that period of time, and even through today they don't go down hard. Safe to say, their debut album is no different.
Commercial performance
The album did not chart any where, because of the less publicity as well as uncertainty in release. The album was released four times just with minor changes. In the sputnik review it is said that the album is tremendously underrated due to no commercial success.
Track listing
Credits
Songs
1Intro1:57
2Styles of Beyond (Style Warz)4:49
3Hollograms3:50