Grandmasters (album)

Grandmasters
Studio album by
DJ Muggs vs. GZA
ReleasedOctober 6, 2005 (2005-10-06)
Recorded2005
StudioS.A. Recording (Los Angeles, CA)
GenreHip hop
Length43:46
LabelAngeles Records
ProducerDJ Muggs
DJ Muggs chronology
Dust
(2003) 		Grandmasters
(2005) 		Legend of the Mask and the Assassin
(2007)
GZA chronology
Legend of the Liquid Sword
(2002) 		Grandmasters
(2005) 		Pro Tools
(2008)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Cokemachineglow87%[2]
HipHopDX4/5[3]
laut.de[4]
Prefix9/10[5]
RapReviews8.5/10[6]
Robert Christgau(2-star Honorable Mention)(2-star Honorable Mention)[7]
Sputnikmusic4.5/5[8]
5/5[9]
StylusB[10]

Grandmasters is a collaborative studio album by American Los Angeles–based record producer DJ Muggs and New York–based rapper GZA. It was released on October 6, 2005 via Angeles Records, serving as Muggs' first in his "DJ Muggs vs." series and GZA's fifth album. Produced entirely by Muggs, it features fellow Wu-Tang Clan members and affiliates Raekwon, RZA, Masta Killa and Prodigal Sunn, as well as Cypress Hill's Sen Dog. The project has a theme of chess as can be seen by the track names. Introductions featuring chess strategy, including instruction for a chess opening using algebraic notation, are within the album. The album was also released in 'Instrumentals' and 'Remix' versions. The latter containing a bonus DVD featuring world tour and studio footage.

  1. ^ Brown, Marisa. "Grandmasters - DJ Muggs, GZA | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  2. ^ Purdom, Clayton (November 4, 2005). "DJ Muggs vs GZA: Grandmasters (Angeles; 2005) | Record Reviews @ Cokemachineglow.com". Cokemachineglow. Archived from the original on February 2, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2020 – via Wayback Machine.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. ^ Ryce, Jeff (February 1, 2006). "DJ Muggs vs GZA - Grandmasters". HipHopDX. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  4. ^ Engelen, Alexander. "Fanfaren, Pianos und Bässe lassen den Hip Hop der alten Schule aufleben ..." laut.de (in German). Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  5. ^ "Grandmasters | Prefixmag.com". Prefix Magazine. November 15, 2005. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  6. ^ Juon, Steve 'Flash' (November 1, 2005). "DJ Muggs vs. GZA :: Grandmasters :: Angeles Records". www.rapreviews.com. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  7. ^ Christgau, Robert. "Robert Christgau: CG: DJ Muggs Vs GZA the Genius". www.robertchristgau.com. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  8. ^ "DJ Muggs Vs GZA - Grandmasters (album review ) | Sputnikmusic". Sputnikmusic. May 7, 2009. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  9. ^ "DJ Muggs Vs GZA - Grandmasters (album review 2) | Sputnikmusic". Sputnikmusic. March 21, 2007. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  10. ^ McGowan, Ross (November 1, 2005). "DJ Muggs vs. GZA - Grandmasters - Review - Stylus Magazine". Stylus Magazine. Retrieved November 20, 2020.