Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

http://www.vimeo.com/2109415

Growing to become one of my favorite conscious rappers around, Murs is launching his musical career in contrast to Theodore Roosevelt’s famous line, “Speak softly and carry a big stick”. Murs has a very strong voice with lyrics that go far beyond conscious. He keeps things simple, he raps clearly, and he talks about things every “obnoxious” person can relate to.

Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition (2004) is done in full collaboration with one of my favorite Little Brother members 9th Wonder. It’s a short album, running only thirty six minutes or so. Short and sweet. PopMatters.com makes a really good point about this, ” There’s one brief intro, no outros, no skits; there’s no exaggerated pomp, no unnecessary drama. While this makes 3:16 seem rushed at times, it makes for a record of self-contained ideas. He didn’t have to go overboard to prove a point. When there’s nothing left to tell, the story should be over.” How true!

Let’s start off with a track called The Pain. Built on a Kanye West style soul sample (thx to 9th Wonder), Murs starts off by detailing the life of a “good” guy. Something Dan and I talk about all the time and how nice guys seem to luck out when it comes to finding girls. We’re conscious guys and we understand that we have to make an effort, but its not just about that. It’s about how girls will say they want the nice guy but go for the bad guy. Or how girls say they hate one-liners and guys coming up to them to talk fluff, but that’s something they want to get things started. And we hate dating because both people in the date put on a front and that just leads to inauthenticity from the start. Here’s a quick verse:

I was still sitting lonely, if only I could find ‘em
Without all the drama, without the one-liners
Excuse me miss, hey mam, you got a man, what’s ya name?
I’m in my mid-twenties so enough with the games
Simply put I think you’re stunning, and what about some kids?
A couple dogs, a couple cars, a four bedroom crib?
Look, I’m not trying to jib, I’m just speaking from the heart
But we can start with a drink if you wanna play it smart

That track is just the start. Let’s move over to another very important topic of life - misconception. Other hip hop songs mention the “big” life and all the great things you can get by making it. And that the only way to that big life is not through drugs, sports, dancing, or rapping. But realistically, there are probably more rich men %-wise through education than through the aforementioned outs! Also, all the jewels and things that you are buying and rocking once you’re rich are just to satisfy your egos. Things Murs mentions are that diamonds are for girls, Big Wheels are for kids, and a throwback jersey is really a dress. My favorite line in And This Is For:

I asked myself for a while but I finally get it,
Good music transcends all physical limits.
It’s more than something you hear, it’s something that you feel
When the author and experience and passion is real.

People kept telling me about Murs. And for a long time, I put off listening to him because I just didn’t hear him enough on singles or in collaboration with my other favorite artists. I regret not giving him a honest listen. Because once I did, I totally fell in love with the music. Murs tells a story that is so easy to understand. The lyrics are not that complex, but they are good enough to keep the flow going. And he spits slowly. Not like retarded slow, but more like old school rap in which it sounded like someone was talking to you. And with the compliment of 9th Wonders beats, the flow speed and style just works.