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-- Chris Richards
DOWNLOAD THESE:"Swagga Like Us," "Ready for Whatever," "56 Bars"
MURS FOR PRESIDENT
Murs
"It seems like nobody's trying," rapper Murs declares during the mock news conference that begins "Murs for President," his first album for a major label. "There's kids dying in Sudan, and nobody cares. At least I'm trying."
And so begins Murs's one-man campaign to set the world right. He's breaking down home-boy misogyny in "Love and Appreciate II." He's battling prejudiced perceptions of urban youths in "Think You Know Me."
He's castigating himself for ruining a relationship with his own narcissism in "A Part of Me." Murs just wants to do right.
The Los Angeles-based lyricist is, as such, an heir to a lost local scene. Back in the '90s, when gangster rap ruled Southern California, a countervailing force emerged, pro-intelligence and anti-violence.
The artists who emerged from this scene -- such as the Freestyle Fellowship, the Pharcyde and Jurassic Five -- are either gone or ghosts of their former incarnations. But Murs is their spiritual progeny. You'll hear nary a b-word or n-bomb on his album.
"Murs for President" is a great juxtaposition then, one we haven't heard in a long time: a nice guy over some mean beats. Producer Nottz made the crown jewel of this effort a supremely screwy sample of the Isley Brothers in "Me and This Jawn" ("jawn," as in "joint," meaning "girl").
"You're the best thing that happened in my life," Murs raps. "Now it's time for you to get it crackin' as my wife."
And in case you were wondering, he's already bought the ring. At long last, a rapper with both skills and manners.
-- Dan Charnas
DOWNLOAD THESE:"Me and This Jawn," "A Part of Me," "Love and Appreciate II"
