Murs Album: “Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition”

Seemingly one of the few rappers willing to take a commercial risk, Rapper 'Murs', heads into deeply personal and introspective territory with this most confessional of rap

albums. Harking back to the back template of just a rapper (Murs) & producer (the 9th wonder), they strip back on the flashy bravado and thug stories and produce a rap album more akin to introspective singer/songwriters.

Murs isn't looking to use this record to make amends for his life or the things he's done in his time, the stories here are of a gangsters daily life. but told from the perspective of an ordinary man/hustler, trying to make

And what follows is a (albeit Short), album of semi-interlinked

Producer 'the 9th wonder', is something of a minor Revelation, by largely ignoring loud, beat heavy arrangements, and composing a series of tracks loosely based around samples of dusty classic soul and 70's funk.

Those expecting the lyrics to have been 'watered down' due to the

Admittedly there are few laughs here, as the mood is one of a cerebral, affected, & reflective understanding of his environment and the people around him, but those paying attention will notice the occasional tongue in cheek sense of humour, buried beneath the social commentary and self-examination.

As to whether this is a great album, thats not ever really in question, as Murs elevates himself into intelligent progressive hip-hop territory with the likes of "Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli", but because this is a confessional album of sorts, it'll prove more than a little heavy going for some, and is probably better suited to the occasional listen, as opposed to something that gets heavy rotation. Thats not to take away from this exceptional album, its just an album than covers so many subjects in such a short space of time (the running time of the album is no more than 35 minutes) that it truly needs the listeners full-attention to extract the best from it. But those willing to give the time and patience, this is easily one of 2004's finest rap albums. recommended

This is one of the best CDs that I have ever heard. If you can listen to the entire CD and not even think of skipping a track, then that is rare and special. Every song is equally spectacular, so in that way it reminds me of Illmatic. This is definately a classic, and I slept on it, but when I got it, I couldnt be happier. Pick this one up today and suppost a real hip hop artist.

Before picking up this CD, I didn't know too much about Murs other than he was one of a countless list of Living Legends. I did know that I like the Legendary crew, though, and 9th wonder so I figured f it, I'll give it a shot.

The album jumps off with a slow sample-infused beat, quickly changing into a driving uptempo hiphop beat to get your head knodding as Murs proclaims "Yes, Ninth really does make these beats on Fruity Loops." From here on out there is a quality and aesthetic value found on few hip-hop CD's released in the last year or two, as Murs (though not lyrically exceptional) drops rhyme after rhyme and 9th Wonder proves he is the truth. Now don't get me wrong: Murs is a great MC with a lot to say, but he does not have the expansive diction of a Talib Kweli. What he lacks in vocabulary and overall wow-factor he more than makes up for in lyrics that can be related to by just about anyone. All of the beats have a soulful feel as they have been the products of sampling not seen since....well, not seen (or heard in this case).

Of all the 2004 hip-hop releases, this stands at the top. It's worth the ten bucks for track #8 alone.

I know im late, but im just now getting hooked in to Murs after i saw the freestyle he did with Eyedea. This album was good all the way through from beginning to end. All songs were catchy and had some solid hard hitting lyrics which is definately what rap today is walking away from today.

9th comes through as promised with great beats that just adds on to the creativity of Murs lyrics..this album is a definate purchase..why are you still reading this? GET THIS ALBUM!

This album is nice. Original topics, simple but intelligent rhymes, and DJ Premier-esque beats make up a nice mixture for this album. Murs (although he looks little like Pastor Troy)came through with some witty and thought-provoking lyricism, and 9th Wonder dug deep in the crates for some vintage samples to go along with the hard hitting Fruity Loops drums and snares.

My Favorites:

Freak These Tales - Hilarious rhymes about getting the chocha; the beat makes you want to rewind it (it sounds like an Anita Baker sample with her vocals chopped up)

H-U-S-T-L-E-R - Creative ways to make a dollar, very interesting and head nodding track.

Walk Like A Man - Sad but thought provoking, life is definitely too short.

And This is For..... - This track maybe controversial for some but very real and to the point. Nice chopped up sample DJ Premier would be proud.

The Animal - I love this track. I would love to rip on this instrumental.

Overal, the album deserves 4 1/2 stars. One of the best underground albums of 2004. Go cop that "The Listening" by Little Brother if you love 9th Wonder's beats.