Hip Hop is certainly an art form in which age matters. While most younger fans won't pick up a KRS or Chuck D album because they claim they're old and too preachy, Mr. Lif remains right in their crosshairs. Like the other socio-political avengers of the new millennium, Lif is keeping the movement alive amongst the new generation of fans that was started so many moons ago by Chuck, KRS, Paris and the like. Like his forefathers, Lif attacks racism, political corruption and societal ills with brilliant perspective, devastating wit and well placed anger.

An original member of the Definitive Jux family, Lif is produced by the only man with soundscapes as apocalyptic as his narratives. DJX head honcho El-P produces all but 3 songs of Mo' Mega, bringing his own beast to snack on republicans and corporate fat cats. Mo' Mega, like Lif's shining debut I Phantom, follows a theme. But in this case, the theme is much looser than the relatively structured Phantom. The meaning of Mo' Mega's title (which many have called wack), is actually quite ill once Lif explains it:

"Mo' represents the dialect of the Black slave in America.
Mega represent the hyper-modernized world we live in.
As the cost of living increases at an exponential rate,
More of us are finding it difficult to keep pace.
I feel that the term Mo' extends beyond race to describe
the masses whom have not achieved elite levels of wealth.
Mo' Mega is the juxtaposition of the slave and the elite
with no common ground between the two."

Lif begins holding court with the appropriately titled "Collapse" as he teases a trip to the psychiatric ward over El's intimidating guitars. The cycle of the album begins taking place at this point. "Ultra Mega" turns Lif's gaze outward to the monuments of consumerism, digging right through El's ridiculous production. As the beats get funkier Lif expands the blast radius all the way to the White House on his plea to his "Brothaz"; "Fact 3/The Bush administration worth nothin, just fuck'em/throw'em in a barrel, buck'em/oh you ain't know them flood waters was comin'?/you ain't smell that African blood runnin'?"

The social messages continue with "The Fries" (peep the break down!), and the Aesop Rock and El-P assisted "Take, Hold, Fire" before things take a lighter turn. First Lif fends off Rakim guest spots and Herbal Essence endorsements from super-manager Murs ("Murs Iz My Manager"). Next he gives a PSA in personal hygiene to all the young ladies with some ill island flavor. Who says conscious cats can't be funny? As the album comes full circle Lif's gaze slowly comes back inward. He pens a note to wifey from the tour grind ("Long Distance"), Akrobatik, Blueprint join him to rap about their come up ("Mo' Mega"), before capping things off with the beautiful son-to-father song ("Looking In...") and father-to-daughter song ("For You").

Where as I was hooked on I Phantom on the first listen, "Mo' Mega" took me quite a few listens before I really grasped what a dope album this is. Mr. Lif can be a very serious emcee, talking about things that some people just may not want to think about. But for those who feel like they're being brow beaten with lessons, he knows when and how to switch it up and keep it fun. And you know, he's really good too. Of course, being backed by El-P's ever evolving production doesn't hurt either. I'll take mo' please.