Mr. Lif's albums have always had their finger on the pulse of America but I Heard It Today is his coup du sort. Boldly holding a mirror to the face of society, Lif has blended veteran producers such as Edan and J-Zone wi... more »th up and coming producers Willie Evans Jr., Batsauce, Therapy, and Headnodic to create an album that speaks brazenly about the current political issues and agendas Americans and the global community are facing: fear, paranoia, and angst as the U.S. economy collapsed and the bailout bill passed, self hatred in the Black community, and the housing crisis are just a few of the topics touched on through I Heard It Today. Lif takes these negatives and turns them on their head, using them in search of a healthier way of life and a way to achieve freedom and peace of mind through the power of the imagination. Guest appearances by Bahamadia and Vinnie Paz of Jedi Mind Tricks help to solidify this album as a crucial piece of art delivered at a pivotal point in American history.« less
Mr. Lif's albums have always had their finger on the pulse of America but I Heard It Today is his coup du sort. Boldly holding a mirror to the face of society, Lif has blended veteran producers such as Edan and J-Zone with up and coming producers Willie Evans Jr., Batsauce, Therapy, and Headnodic to create an album that speaks brazenly about the current political issues and agendas Americans and the global community are facing: fear, paranoia, and angst as the U.S. economy collapsed and the bailout bill passed, self hatred in the Black community, and the housing crisis are just a few of the topics touched on through I Heard It Today. Lif takes these negatives and turns them on their head, using them in search of a healthier way of life and a way to achieve freedom and peace of mind through the power of the imagination. Guest appearances by Bahamadia and Vinnie Paz of Jedi Mind Tricks help to solidify this album as a crucial piece of art delivered at a pivotal point in American history.
"I was psyched when I discovered this album. I had downloaded a few tracks as singles, but when I found out that they were part of a full length effort by Lif, I bought it immediately.
This album is a no-brainer. If you like Lif, there is no way it will dissapoint you. His lyrics are sick (as always), and the production is air tight. And if you haven't heard of Lif, this is a good album to start with since he likes to put a good deal of current societal issues and politics in his albums.
He also has some killer guests this time around. Vinnie Paz of Jedi Mind Tricks on "Folklore," and a female emcee named Bahamadia on "Breathe." I'd never heard of Bahamadia before, but she slaaaaaaays the track. Probably my favorite cut off the album.
This album is amazing, but the music will tell you better than my words ever could. Just listen to the samples and you will be a believer.
"
Unbelievably good, Lif's best
silence dogood | jax | 07/24/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been listening to Lif for years, and I've seen him live about four or five times. As great as Lif's other releases are, this is his best.
The best tracks, IMO, are:
What about us?
Head high
Dawn
The sun
but I've played the album many many times without skipping a single track. That says a lot, because normally I'm a next-track Nazi.
Like another reviewer said, El-P's production is great but Lif sounds much better over these type beats."
Mr. Lif for President
JesusSaves | Florida | 05/30/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great album, it is as good as "I Phantom" and "Emergency Rations" in my opinion which was a similar concept of political rap as this one.
Notable tracks on here are "Folklore feat. Vinnie Paz, "The Sun", "I heard it today" and "Dawn". The other songs are great as well, these just stood out for me more. This album is worth buying especially if your into underground hip hop."
Pretty good
Ted Frost | London | 08/23/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I don't want to be all antagonistic to the other reviewers, but I find it hard to rank this album alongisde I Phantom or Emergency Rations. There is some great lyrics and the beats aren't bad, but somehow, it doesn't quite seem to come together as much as some of his other efforts.
I have often felt like I'm being hard on the album and, on listening again, it gets better throughout until the last couple of tracks, 'The Sun' and 'Dawn'. These bring to mind a sense of progression and somehow seem deeper than the rest. Not sure how and regret I cannot really bring more accurate critical points to my slight disappointment with the album.
I am giving it 4 stars to give it the benefit of the doubt and because Lif is just great anyway. I have this nagging feeling this album got more exposure it should have because of Lif's politics, which, here, do not come with so much of his redeeming qualities: humour and cynicism."
The future of rap
T | miami florida | 06/09/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ive been a big fan of lif ever since i heard live from the plantaton back in 02 so i was so happy to c he had a new cd comin out. i got it the day it came out cause wit lif u cant go wrong and lif definetly did not dissapoint. this album may be his best its loaded with great songs real solid cd u can listen to every track. tack it from me if u like real rap music like krs one nas that type of stuff u will love all mr. lif music
best tracks
1 the sun
2 welcome to the world
3 i heard it today
4 what about us
5 head high
but like i said u can deffinitly listen to every track great cd mr. lif never dissapoints u wont regrete buying this album"