Having taken a break from his solo work for the last few years in order to work with rapper Akrobatik and producer/DJ Fakts One as the Perceptionists, Mr Lif returns to form with a new solo album, MoMega. As fans have come to expect from the dreadlocked rapper, Lif continues to mix his battle raps with political and social commentary, love ballads and a sense of humour. Theres the fantastical "Murs Is My Manager, guest starring Living Legend Murs as the man capable of taking Lif to the next level, the light-hearted lessons of "Washitup! and the long distance love song and phone sex of "Long Distance. As well, there is a healthy dose of criticism peppered throughout, taking aim at fast food giants ("The Fries) and the government ("Take, Hold, Fire with Aesop Rock and El-P). El-P provides his chunky funk productions that are one part New York boom-bap and another part sci-fi mechanics, serving as a perfect compliment to Lifs bouncy, energetic flow and partially apocalyptic lyrics. Together, Mr Lif and El-P have created Lif's best work to date with MoMega.
Why the name Mr Lif? I plucked my name out of a bass line at a Phish concert. They were rockin at this outdoor venue called Great Woods back in 1994, and that bass line inspired the creation of a character called "The Liftedly Man. It was meant to just be a song at the time, but I ended up adopting the persona. Basically, "The Liftedly Man was just a guy who lived everyday to the fullest.
How did you progress from battle raps to message-oriented music? I feel that my music always had a message. I was just leaning more toward the battle style, because I had to make it clear to the competition that Id be here to stay. Making thought-provoking music has always been my main passion.
Is your music a weapon for political and social change? Is it effective? If I can present perspectives that make people think and talk, I feel that my music is effective. My music is first and foremost a way for me to make sense of my thoughts. It keeps me from losing my mind. If Wolverines weapons are his claws, well mine are my rhymes.
(Definitive Jux)Why the name Mr Lif? I plucked my name out of a bass line at a Phish concert. They were rockin at this outdoor venue called Great Woods back in 1994, and that bass line inspired the creation of a character called "The Liftedly Man. It was meant to just be a song at the time, but I ended up adopting the persona. Basically, "The Liftedly Man was just a guy who lived everyday to the fullest.
How did you progress from battle raps to message-oriented music? I feel that my music always had a message. I was just leaning more toward the battle style, because I had to make it clear to the competition that Id be here to stay. Making thought-provoking music has always been my main passion.
Is your music a weapon for political and social change? Is it effective? If I can present perspectives that make people think and talk, I feel that my music is effective. My music is first and foremost a way for me to make sense of my thoughts. It keeps me from losing my mind. If Wolverines weapons are his claws, well mine are my rhymes.
