It is not very often that an album comes along and challenges everything you know, or what you thought you knew. Public Enemy did it, KRS-One did it. Now, it is Mr. Lif’s turn. Mr. Lif makes it very hard to front on him. As an emcee, he has it all; dope voice, nice flow, witty and intelligent lyrics that make you think. Not to mention the fresh beats that he rocks over, this time courtesy of El-P, Insight, Fakts One and Edan. Now, for the first time, Lif showcases his vast skills on a full-length. With 2 excellent EP’s under his belt, the Boston rhyme-sayer has effectively left his fans starving for an LP. But they weren’t ready for this, I don’t think anyone is. Get ready. Enter I Phantom.
This is a concept album, from beginning to end it tells a story. Amazingly only sewn together with 3 skits, the heart of the story is within the 11 songs. The message is one that everyone can relate to- the lack of empowerment we have in our lives. The ills of the 9 to 5 day job (“Live From The Plantation”), social acceptance (“Status”), balancing work with family (“Success”) and relationships with children (“The Now”). By the end of the LP Lif’s analysis becomes broader. From a synopsis of colonization (“Iron Helix”) to a nuclear holocaust (“Earthcrusher”) and the perspectives of those dying in the blast (“Post Mortem”). The insight and perspective that Lif maintains on each of these tracks is something to behold. I would be remiss not to mention the production though. All lyrics aside, the album would still be off the meter. The beats are crisp, original and serve as a consistent canvas for Lif’s paint.
What really makes this album so incredible is that Lif challenges America’s status quo and forces the listener to re-think the way the view modern American culture. What’s better is that anyone and everyone can relate. If you live life, it applies to you. Most people are herded through life like sheep; the way they think, talk, look and act is determined by someone else. Lif told me that he just wants people to open their eyes and deconstruct images presented to them by the media and not just accept them. He wants the album to provoke unique thought. Though this album will not get the press that revolutionary efforts from PE and BDP did, this doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be held in the same regard. I Phantom is intelligent, thought-provoking, and what hip hop music should be in 2002. I Phantom is damn near classic. If you only (own) buy one album this year, make it this one. Be sure to check out www.mrlif.com for more info on him.
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