Mr. Lif

  • Boston, MA
    hometown
  • Hip-Hop/Rap
    genre
  • 1995
    started
  • Bio
    full story
  • Share
  • Similar
Close

About Mr. Lif


When he began releasing singles in the late '90s, party rap and gangsta rap were the dominant styles most MCs favored, but Mr. Lif's lyrical agenda was a political and socially conscious one that recalled the rap stars of the late '80s and early '90s -- Public Enemy, Gang Starr, and Boogie Down Productions. Born Jeffrey Haynes, Mr. Lif grew up in the Boston, MA, suburb of Brighton, attending college for two years before focusing on a music career. He released his first single, "Elektro," in 1998, attracting the attention of labels Grand Royal and Def Jux.

Working closely with producer and Def Jux label head El-P, Lif released a series of critically acclaimed singles and EPs, starting with Enters the Colossus in 2000. Touring kept him busy for the next year, but he still found time to release the "Cro-Magnon" single and a live CD, Live at the Middle East. His most ambitious work to date followed in 2002 with a pair of concept releases; the Emergency Rations EP bookended collaborations with Edan and Akrobatik in an MC abduction scenario, while the I Phantom full-length formed a saga that led him from birth to apocalypse. He revisited his Akrobatik collaboration in 2005, when the pair joined producer Fakts One to form the Perceptionists, who released Black Dialogue, also on Definitive Jux. One year later he returned with Mo' Mega, his proper follow-up to I Phantom, featuring eight productions from El-P and appearances from Murs, Aesop Rock, and Blueprint. I Heard It Today, released in 2009 on Bloodbot Tactical, contained some of the most pointed lyrics of his career. ~ Wade Kergan, Rovi

Scroll up Scroll down

Music

From position 0, showing 2 items, asking 10
See All
  • The Sun
    mr-lif
    Video
    The Sun
  • Brothaz
    mr-lif
    Video
    Brothaz
  • 5967
    SoundStream
    SoundStream
    song name
    0:00
    Audio powered by
    All the music you want, just 10 bucks a month. Try it free.
    • Collapse
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/1/9/4/2/4/107742491.mp3
    • Take, Hold, Fire
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/2/7/7/2/6/107762772.mp3
    • Brothaz
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/2/8/4/2/8/107782482.mp3
    • The Fries
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/7/0/3/2/8/107782307.mp3
    • Murs Iz My Manager
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/3/8/1/3/4/107743183.mp3
    • Be OK
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g2/3/2/3/1/7/929871323.mp3

Photos

From position 0, showing 1 items, asking 10
See All
  • Def Jux
    Mr. Lif
    Def Jux
    JasonMesser

Tour Dates

From position 0, showing 1 items, asking 50
See All
  • Jun 5 Wednesday
    Philadelphia, PA, US The Blockley
    Buy Ticket

Discography

From position 0, showing 4 items, asking 10
See All
  • I Heard It Today (2009)
    Mr. Lif
    I Heard It Today (2009)
    All Hip Hop
  • Mo' Mega (2006)
    Mr. Lif
    Mo' Mega (2006)
    Definitive Jux Records
  • I Phantom (2002)
    Mr. Lif
    I Phantom (2002)
    Definitive Jux Records
  • Live at the Middle East (2002)
    Mr. Lif
    Live at the Middle East (2002)
    Ozone Music
Are You Mr. Lif? Claim this page | Learn more about Artists.MTV | FAQ for Artists
Mr. Lif Bio | Mr. Lif Tour Dates | Mr. Lif Music | Mr. Lif Photos | Mr. Lif Discography |
MTV | MTV Jobs | Privacy Policy | User Content Agreement | Copyright | Artist Index | Social Projects Agreements | Ad Choices |
Portions of this page powered by
This site contains content from artists, fans, and writers from around the internet in it's natural form. Such content is not representative of Viacom Media Networks.

©2012 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. MTV and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

  • Explore
    • Popular
    • Emerging
    • Genres
      • Rock
      • Hip Hop
      • Indie
      • Electronic/EDM
      • Country
      • Pop
    • Collections
    • Artist To Watch
  • Search
  • Are you an artist?
    • Claim Your Page
    • Learn More
    • FAQ
    • Opportunities