Mr Lif - I Phantom
List Price:
Our Price: $4.99
You Save: $9.99 (67%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $1.98 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more new music releases
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Music CD Cover
Artist: Mr LifEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Original Language)
CD Release Date: 2002-09-17
Music Label: Definitive Jux
Soundtracks:
- Bad Card
- A Glimpse at the Struggle
- Return of the B-Boy
- Live from the Plantation
- New Man Theme
- Handouts
- Status
- Success
- Daddy Dearest
- The Now
- Friends and Neighbors
- Iron Helix
- Earthcrusher
- Post Mortem
Free Music Notes for I Phantom
Free Music Review: The return of the working class B-Boy
Hit: 5 Stars
Obviously heavily influenced by the works of Public Enemy and Boogie Down Productions; Mr. Lif can be referred to as a protest rapper. The cover of the album sums up the lyrical content nicely. The images are symbols of media, government, food, religion, law, sex, violence, and drugs. We are kept so busy with all these aspects of life, that we are left scrambling to make a standard living, therefore, the government, the people with the real power, are making all the decisions about our lives; and not necessarily in our best interest. Lif also addresses cold, soulless corporations that pay you slave wages, crappy benefits, then subsequently cuts you out of the company after years of dedication. It's about trying desperately to achieve your dreams in a rapidly decaying society. And through that desperation, people are forced to do things against their will, or simply because they know no other way. Lif wraps up all this rage, anger and concern into a beautifully crafted politically conscious masterpiece.
This album does deserve 5 stars for the lyrics alone, but the production is also phenomenal. El-P's production on this album is complicated as usual, but very old-school. I would venture to say that this is his most accessible album, production-wise. Other appearances are made by NASA, Vast Aire, Fakts One, DJ Abilities, Edan, Insight, Akrobatik, Aesop Rock, and Jean Grae are also made. "Glimpse at the Struggle" is about a man that gets shot while robbing a store, because he's got to eat, and survive another week. "Return of the B-Boy", an epic masterpiece with cuts by DJ Abilities, speaks out on the regurgitation of hip-hop, and a re-introduces the new school in underground rap. "Live From The Plantation" is probably my favorite track. If you work at a job you don't like (who doesn't?), you will definitely relate to this song. The interlude in "Handouts" relates to the next two songs brilliantly, "Status" and "Success". They're about a very ambitious recording artist (Lif) with no cash to score a quality beat from Insight. This results in poorly mixed beats. The beats are hardly poor, considering the deep meaning behind the production, making the album stronger. "Daddy Dearest", an interlude, is about Jon, a child that desperately wants his Dad to be a part of his life. But he is too wrapped up with his new son, daughter and wife, which leads into "The Now" quite nicely. "Friends and Neighbors" deals with depression, murder, and suicide, as linked incidents of snapping under pressure at the work place.
I was drawn to purchase this album because of an interview with Lif that I read. He was very intelligent and well-spoken. He has a lot to say, and a lot of different ways to say it. He has created a masterpiece on par with his idols from Public Enemy. I hope to see more of this style in the underground rap circuit. Mr. Lif continues to show that there are always innovative ways to approach and revive hip-hop in a sad time of it's commercial existence.
Pop Music CDs
Music Genres
Top music charts in Pop Music CDs
Yvette Freeman - Dinah Was (L.A. Theatre Works Audio Theatre Collection)Release date: 2005-04-12; Music CD
Best price: $21.07
Price in other shops:
Twin Sisters Productions - Building Character Music CDTWIN SISTERS PRODUCTIONS; Release date: 2007-01-01; Music CD
Best price: $9.99
Price in other shops:
Bernadette Peters in ConcertDVD
Best price: $129.99
Everything Must Go/ Two Against Natureby Steely Dan
Published: 2003; Music CD
Scattered Ashesby Ihsahn / Emperor
Candlelight Records/Emi; Published: 2009-07-28; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $9.75
Price in other shops:
![Christmas at the Biltmore Estate [VHS] Image](/images/Christmas-at-the-Biltmore-Estate-VHS-076700437X-X.jpg){kind=small}
Christmas at the Biltmore Estate [VHS]A&E Home Video; Release date: 1998-09-04; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $14.33
Price in other shops:
The Shadow: Rare Radio Gems (Rare Radio Gems)Release date: 2002-09-01; Published: 2002-09-01; Music CD
Best price: $20.00
Price in other shops:
On the Shoulders of Giants, Vol. 1: An Audio & Musical Journey Through the Harlem Renaissanceby Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Release date: 2011-09-06; Published: 2008; Music CD
Best price: $1.98
Price in other shops:
Francis Durbridge, Paul Temple & The Gilbert Case - Radio ShowRelease date: 2003-05-12; Music CD
Best price: $21.49
Price in other shops:
The Serenaders - My One and Only YouRelease date: 2011-05-28; Music CD
Best price: $8.76
Price in other shops:
Top Rated Albums
El-P - Fantastic DamageRelease date: 2002-05-14; Music CD
Best price: $4.95
Price in other shops:
Cannibal Ox - Cold VeinRelease date: 2001-05-15; Music CD
Best price: $34.00
Mr Lif - Enters the ColossusRelease date: 2000-11-28; Music CD
Best price: $10.92
Price in other shops:
El-P - I'll Sleep When You're DeadBaker & Taylor; Release date: 2007-03-20; Music CD
Best price: $6.99
Price in other shops:
Gza/Genius - Liquid SwordsRelease date: 1995-11-07; Music CD
Best price: $6.48
Price in other shops:
Madvillain - MadvillainyRelease date: 2004-03-23; Music CD
Best price: $9.80
Price in other shops:
MF Doom - Operation DoomsdayRelease date: 2011-10-25; Music CD
Best price: $12.17
Price in other shops:
Mr Lif - Emergency RationsRelease date: 2002-06-25; Music CD
Best price: $4.97
Price in other shops:
Company Flow - Funcrusher Plus (Reis)Release date: 2009-05-05; Music CD
Best price: $5.98
Price in other shops:
Mr Lif - Mo MegaRelease date: 2006-06-13; Music CD
Best price: $7.99
Price in other shops: