"All Caps" is a single by the

hip-hop Hip-hop or hip hop (originally disco rap) is a popular music genre that emerged in the early 1970s from the African-American community of New York City. The style is characterized by its synthesis of a wide range of musical techniques. Hi ...

duo

Madvillain Madvillain was an American hip hop supergroup formed in 2002, consisting of rapper MF Doom and producer Madlib. Their only album, '' Madvillainy'' (2004), earned critical acclaim and cult popularity, widely regarded as one of the greatest r ...

, released in February 2004 ahead of their debut studio album, ''

Madvillainy ''Madvillainy'' is the only studio album by American hip-hop duo Madvillain, consisting of British-American rapper MF Doom and American record producer Madlib. It was released on March 23, 2004, by Stones Throw Records. The album was recor ...

''. Though "All Caps" is the A-side, the official title of the single is "Curls & All Caps".

Background

An early version of "All Caps" appeared on the '' Madvillainy Demo Tape'' which originally leaked to the internet in early 2003. Around 200 copies of a promotional 12" single were pressed and released to radio stations and DJs including the bonus track "Bonus Beat (Radio Promo Version)". Approximately 40 to 50 of these were hand-painted by ''Madvillainy'' cover designer Jeff Jank.

Music video

The video for "All Caps", directed and animated by James Reitano for TFU Studios, is in the form of an animated

Silver Age The Ages of Man are the historical stages of human existence according to Greek mythology and its subsequent interpretatio romana, Roman interpretation. Both Hesiod and Ovid offered accounts of the successive ages of humanity, which tend to pr ...

comic book A comic book, comic-magazine, or simply comic is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panel (comics), panels that represent individual scenes. Panels are often accompanied by descriptive prose and wri ...

. It begins with two scientists in a lab experimenting with chemicals. Their work goes awry when a mixture fills the lab with gas, and the scientists, locked in by a supposed security guard, begin to mutate. One grows into a huge man-monster called "Madvillain" and dons an MF DOOM mask while the other shrinks into a purple alien-like creature with telepathic powers. He is encased in a golden casket-like case, and they both manage to escape the lab. The "title page" then appears, along with a seal bearing

Stan Lee Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber ; December 28, 1922 – November 12, 2018) was an American comic book author, writer, editor, publisher, and producer. He rose through the ranks of a family-run business called Timely Comics which later bec ...

's and

Jack Kirby Jack Kirby (; born Jacob Kurtzberg; August 28, 1917 – February 6, 1994) was an American comics artist, comic book artist, widely regarded as one of the medium's major innovators and one of its most prolific and influential creators. He grew ...

's names, and Madvillain, now wearing a suit with a green

trenchcoat A trench coat is a variety of coat made of waterproof heavy-duty fabric, originally developed for British Army officers before the First World War, and becoming popular while used in the trenches, hence the name ''trench coat.'' Originally made ...

and brown hat, carries the golden case until he is confronted by a gang of men in suits called "The Minions of Death." They seem to be after the golden case, but the man-monster doesn't surrender it without a fight. Using a laser rifle, the Minions manage to capture the golden case and subdue Madvillain. Back at their hideout, the Minions demand Madvillain to open the case by force. The alien scientist awakens, and the man-monster hears his thoughts, giving him a boost of energy to let them both escape the hideout. The video ends with a high-speed chase in the mountains with the Minions pursuing the mutated scientists. After they fire a few shots, the alien tells the man-monster to speed up. In a

cliffhanger A cliffhanger or cliffhanger ending is a plot device in fiction which features a main character in a precarious situation, facing a difficult dilemma or confronted with a shocking revelation at the end of an episode of serialized fiction or bef ...

ending, the last "page" reads, "''Will Madvillain Survive the Minions of Death? Check Back Next Time, Pilgrims!''" The creature featured in the video was reproduced by Kidrobot as a vinyl figure in a green trenchcoat along with a limited edition featuring a grey trenchcoat.

Track listing

Radio Promo Version

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the single's liner notes. Personnel * MF DOOM – MC *

Madlib Otis Lee Jackson Jr. (born October 24, 1973), known professionally as Madlib, is an American record producer, DJ, multi-instrumentalist, and rapper. Critically acclaimed for his eclectic, music sample, sample-heavy production style, he is rega ...

– beats Additional personnel *

Peanut Butter Wolf Christopher George Manak (born October 8, 1969 ), better known by his stage name Peanut Butter Wolf, is an American disc jockey and record producer from San Jose, California. He is based in Los Angeles, where he moved to in 2000. He is the found ...

– executive production *

Dave Cooley Dave Cooley (David J. Cooley) is an American mastering engineer and audio restoration specialist. His numerous mastering credits include J Dilla's ''Donuts'' and '' The Diary'', Paramore's ''After Laughter'', 40th anniversary release of Bob Marl ...

– recording, mastering Artwork * Eric Coleman – photo * Jank – cover

Certifications

In popular culture

* "All Caps" is featured in ''

The Boondocks Boondocks are remote, usually brushy areas. Boondocks may also refer to: * The Boondocks (comic strip), ''The Boondocks'' (comic strip), a comic strip by Aaron McGruder ** The Boondocks (TV series), ''The Boondocks'' (TV series), the television s ...

'' episode " Let's Nab Oprah" during a fight scene between Huey and Bushido Brown.

Notes

References

External links

Stones Throw - Madvillain
{{authority control 2004 singles 2004 songs Madlib songs Song recordings produced by Madlib