Hip-hop heads and vinyl lovers danced and sang along to MF DOOM’s “Madvillainy” album at a listening party, presented by Good Luck Vinyl Club with guest DJ Gaslamp Killer at The Social List Oct. 17.
“This is an opportunity for people to meet other like-minded individuals and experience the album,” said Isaak Navarro, founder of Good Luck Vinyl Club, a Long Beach-based social club for music lovers.
The album “Madvillainy”, is a notable collaboration between producer Madlib and rapper MF DOOM.
MF DOOM is well-known in the hip hop and vinyl community for his profound use of samples and poignant lyrics, in addition to the metal mask he wore, inspired by the film Gladiator.
He is often referred to as “your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper” for the way that he has inspired many of the acts that came after him.
His untimely 2020 death sent shockwaves through the community and his legacy continues to echo throughout hip hop and in the hearts of vinyl record collectors.
The reverence that fans have for DOOM was evident in the way that many of them showed up well before the doors opened to snag one of the free replica DOOM masks being offered to the first couple of attendees.
As attendees filed into the space which was decked out for Halloween, they were greeted with complimentary cocktails, both with and without alcohol.
In addition to keeping ticket prices low, Navarro said the decision to offer a welcome cocktail was to add to the approachability of the event, which was open to everyone over the age of 18.
As the needle dropped on side one of the album, a respectful hush fell upon the crowd.
Some sang along, others donned their masks and took photos and others reminisced on where they were upon their first time listening to “Madvillainy.”
Once the album was finished, Gaslamp Killer took over for an all vinyl set.
“I combed through about a thousand albums and had to narrow it down to only about 200 for tonight,” Gaslamp Killer said.
Having been a fan of Long Beach for most of his life, he was eager to be a part of something so intimate, during which he was able to play things that tied in with MF DOOM’s sampling style and the general spooky atmosphere.
Gaslamp Killer also looked back fondly on his early memories of listening to MF DOOM and said that his rhyme style appealed to him because of his universal references stemming from things like sci-fi cartoons and comics.
In passing, a few attendees murmured about how sitting amongst such an enthused audience made it feel as though they were listening to “Madvillainy” for the first time.
Sharing the commonality of their love for MF DOOM, attendees who arrived alone unabashedly mingled with others, adding to the atmosphere of community building through the trading of stories and some even engaging in a game of dominos.
Listening parties with different themes and guest DJs are something that Good Luck Vinyl Club plans to continue with their next event celebrating one of the albums of The Cocteau Twins.
“For those who weren’t into this one, maybe the next event will appeal to them,” said Navarro. “The idea is that there will be something for everyone.”
