Mr. Lif - I Phantom
Author: Arturo Perez
Release Date: 2002-09-17
Label: Def Jux
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Def Jux does it again this year with Mr. Lif's I Phantom as the New York label founded and ran by former Company Flow member El-P establishes itself as one of the best sources for quality hip hop in the world. Previously releasing El-P's very own debut, Fantastic Damage and RJD2's DJ masterpiece, Deadringer, this label shows why in its short few years of being around, they are becoming one of the dominants of the underground hip hop game.
I Phantom is a conceptual work where Mr. Lif starts the album buying a gun and ends it with the apocalypse. Humanity and our place within society are analyzed within the album, with the help of the dark electronic-oriented production of EL-P, and the diversity of having other talented producers on deck such as Fakts One and Edan.
"In Return of the B-Boy," Mr. Lif creates a seven minute opus that starts with a clear attempt at revolution, as the chants go "Hip Hop, I'm gonna bring it back." Half way through the song a time signature completely changes the beat and Lif gives us some of his most furious and steady flowing rhymes. In the second half of the song Lif gives props to hip hop greats A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul and Run DMC, as he explains the greatness behind the long misrepresented genre.
In "Live from the Plantation," Lif once again uses two different beats to distinctly explore the same topic. This time the theme is the oppression that the working class feels from the heads of society. But Lif doesn't simply limit his analysis to the regular working class, extending it to everyone that is working for the system, making it a song worthy to listen to by everyone within society. "New Man Theme" is one of the highlights of the album, as Mr. Lif once again tells the audience a story of his life to reflect the many breakthroughs and important socially aware discoveries that serve to empower and give positive feedback to all willing to listen.
Funky beats serve to introduce fellow Def Jux MC Insight on "Status," as he comes back to collaborate for "Iron Helix" towards the more apocalyptic side of the album. Collaborations from other Def Jux talents include the bass driven "Success" with Aesop Rock's heavier toned voice. El-P's MC collaboration appears for the end of it all, "Post Mortem" as Jean Grae and Akrobatic help to give the album a tremendous ending only worth discovering through listening to it.
I Phantom is the work of a thoughtful MC whose flow is a mix of witty and intellectual lyrics that make you want to listen, with a tone of voice that is both, pleasing and full of energy. The songs are bouncy, intricate, catchy, and thought provoking as Mr. Lif creates a conceptual masterpiece within his debut that envelops society, man's place within it, hip hop's place within it, and how to change ourselves for the better. Magnificent.
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Reader's Comments:
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this album is great. if u havent checked it out yet do it. also if you like this album get his Emergency Rations EP
joey bates :: 10:14 Monday 25 NovMr. Lif comes through again in the clutch.... his fantastic lyrics are mystical and necessary in these hard times. keep 'em coming Lif -- no other man relates to the pain i feel everytime i look at humans...