Posted on 10/02/2008
On a Tuesday in the not too distant future, Americans will have the opportunity to cast a vote for change by turning out in support of an articulate young brother with a funny name, attempting to make the leap from grassroots visionary to American icon. That’s right, Murs For President is headed for a record shop, box store or online music retailer near you, and as the title suggests, the eponymous underground road warrior has big plans for his first major label offering. But, will the masses, left emotionally and intellectually numb from the reigns of G.W. Bush and C. Jackson truly embrace the thinking man’s take on the every man’s struggle? While Murs has succeeded in showcasing his engaging brand of day-in-the-life lyricism over generally accessible beats, his bid will likely fall short, lacking the flash and sizzle needed to ascend to the forefront of a culture where American Idol generates more votes than presidential elections.

Murs obeys the first rule of electoral politics and tends to his base. All of the attributes that helped him cultivate one of the largest underground followings in hip-hop are in fine form here, from conscious braggadocio (“I’m Innocent”) to blue collar narratives (“You Think You Know Me”). Continuing his tradition of making some of hip-hop’s most honest and realistic relationship songs, “Part of Me” and “Break Up” are emotionally raw and infinitely relatable. On the album’s highlight, “The Science,” Murs masterfully conveys a heady concept in a direct and accessible style. Like Obama’s race speech, the song combines history, sociology and politics to humanize stereotypes and explain the current state of hip-hop.

For all of its attributes, Murs For President will likely languish in the same purgatory between underground and mainstream occupied by Little Brother’s Minstrel Show. Maybe 9th Wonder isn’t the best choice of running mate. While the chemistry that made 2004’s Murs 3:16 The 9th Edition so special is still evident on the current ticket, it feels stuck in 2004, in all its sped up soul sampling glory. Many of the other beats from the likes of Nottz, Will.I.Am and Niggarci are airy and less dense than Murs’ longtime fans may be accustomed to, but still not quite catchy enough to jostle with The Game and T.I. for spots on the casual hip-hop listener’s fall ballot.

Murs is clearly an eloquent statesman for hip-hop, but while the genre could only benefit from him becoming a more prominent voice, his oval office aspirations will probably have to wait for at least another election cycle.

- Jeff Harvey