Murs
He is the only rapper with his own music festival. Each album he releases sells more than its predecessor. He toured the world without having a major record deal. So, there's a reason why independent rap stalwart Murs decided to name his major label debut album Murs For President. Murs wants to be rap's leader and spokesperson, the artist who helps give rap a credible face to fans, the media and critics. After all, the Los Angeles rapper is articulate and well read. He doesn't use drugs and his platform consists of peace, love, unity and having fun.
From front to back, the eclectic, genre-bending, politically charged, musically adventurous Murs For President illustrates a change of direction for rap. The vibrant, optimistic Can It Be marks Murs' return to music, and his dedication to make a change for the better with his words and through his influence on others. The bouncy, horn-propelled Looking Fly finds Murs paying homage to his forward-thinking fashion sense, while Science breaks down blacks' history in the United States and how it is tied to hip hop's evolution. As he has done on his earlier albums - which include such acclaimed releases as Murray's Revenge and Murs 3:16 The 9th Edition - Murs examines his own love life on several Murs For President cuts. The angst-filled Part Of Me documents the immediate, often turbulent time when a relationship dissolves, while the soulful Breakin' Up details the mixed feelings people have once they have some distance from what had been a long-term relationship. For Murs, it is important to make credible relationship songs because so few exist in rap.
Indeed, part of Murs' background is the reality that he was raised in the gang-infested streets of Los Angeles. Thus, he's a product of and fan of gangster rap. Murs pays homage to his city's love for heavy funk on Comfortable, which features hardcore rap crooner Kokane and documents Murs cruising throughout Southern California's streets in his '96 Cadillac. Then, on the heavy You Think You Know Me, Murs raps from the perspective of a Crip, a Blood and a Cholo, showing that gangbangers often have more to their lives than their street affiliations.
Being that Murs had the time and resources to record an album on a major label, he wanted Murs For President to explore all aspects of his personality. Thus, he worked with a variety of artists and producers, from Snoop Dogg to punk band Whole Wheat Bread to will.i.am to DJ Premier and DJ Quik.
Murs is so passionate about his music and his place in the rap pantheon because he's one of rap's best independent success stories. As a member of the Living Legends, Murs learned the art of independent self-promotion by selling cassette tapes of his music out of his car and touring with Living Legends in Europe and Japan. Given his underground status, Murs also embraced the power of the Internet long before most artists realized the power of the burgeoning medium.
Through the Internet, touring and his flurry of independent releases with Living Legends, with producer extraordinaire 9th Wonder, as one-half of Felt (with Atmosphere's Slug) and as a solo artist, Murs has become one of rap's best success stories. His paid dues make him the only rapper to own his own music festival. But for Murs, the success of Murs For President will dictate his legacy.
And be sure to vote Murs For President.