Around the beginning of the new millennium my musical playlist consisted of about 75% indie hip hop. Any and everything Rhymesayers / Definitive Jux / QN5 / Demigodz / Stones Throw / Weathermen / Psycho+Logical related dropped, I copped. Simple as that. Everyone from Sage Francis to Aesop Rock, Atmosphere to Cunninlynguists, Dilated Peoples, Cage, Copywrite, Louis Logic, Apathy, Celph Titled, Eyedea & Abilities, Mr. Lif, Brother Ali, DOOM… you get the point. And while the percentage might have changed a bit throughout the past few years (be it running 2dbz, indie artists releasing less material, the need for some random ignorance in my life, etc), I will always hold those years close to my heart. And with that sappy story said, I’ve put together a compilation of some of the songs that frequented my CD player. I’m sure this won’t be the last.

Tracklist + Download link after the jump…

Mr. Lif joins Guru on a joint off his latest Jazzmatazz installment, Timebomb. Shouts to P&P on the find.

DOWNLOAD: Guru – No Need For Stress f. Mr. Lif | Mediafire

HipHopOfficial’s wrap up of the Lions Den Pure II Anniversary Concert that went down this week. Featuring performances and features from the likes of Evidence, TiRon, Ayomari, Pac Div, Mr. Lif, Akrobatik, Medusa, LMNO, Fashawn & Exile, Planet Asia and more. Damn, I wish I could’ve been in attendance! It’s alright though… I’ll be live at the Leaders of the New Cool show next week.

Click to enlarge.

If you’re in the LA area on the 26th of this month, I highly advise you be at the Echoplex. TiRon, El Prez, Curren$y, Hollyweerd, Mikkey Halsted, etc? Talk about a dope ass line up. Tickets go on sale January 15th. UPDATE: Just got informed about another dope show that’s going down on the 14th. Pac Div, Black Sheep, Evidence, Mr. Lif & Akrobatik, Chino XL, TiRon, Oh No, LMNO, Fashawn & Exile and Planet Asia. Hit the jump for the flyer and more details.

Funkadelic Freestyles links up with FWMJ for a project featuring new original music from the likes of Mr. Lif, Oddisee, Finale, Akrobatik, Che Grand, Danny Brown, DJ Spinna, Lyriciss, X.O., Scanz and many more.

Tracklist + Download link after the jump…

The Def Jux good’ness below just reminded me that I forgot to post this (2)dope remix of Mr. Lif’s single from I Heard it Today (available now). Shouts to our OKP fam…

Casettes Won’t Listen is a Brooklyn based Indie Rock & Electronic one-man project created by producer Jason Drake. On June 16th CWL will be releasing an instrumental album entitled, Into The Hillside. In anticipation for the LP, CWL put out a free remix EP, (F)remix, featuring Mr. Lif, Bisc1, The Dears, The Death Set, and more. Here is Mr. Lif’s CWL assisted cut from the (F)remix.

DOWNLOAD: Mr. Lif – The Sun (CWL RMX) f. Cassettes Won’t Listen | Mediafire
BONUS: CWL – (f)remix [.zip]

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Brand new video from Scanz; off his latest project, The Basement Chronicle. Featuring (2)dope artists in Mr. Lif & Akrobatik!

Before I pass the fuck out (with hopes that the spirits from the Haunting of Connecticut didn’t follow me from the theater) I figured I’d post a joint from Mr. lif‘s upcoming album, I Heard it Today. And in typical Lif fashion, he goes right at the government. Questioning everything; even Obama. One thing you must know about Lif is that he doesn’t hold his tongue for no one and will speak his mind when need be. No sheep in his speech. I’m halfway through the album and I’m digging the shit out of it (as expected). April 21st will definitely see a purchase from Shake.

Oh I see… we’re all supposed to trusting the government again, cause we have a freindlier face to it now huh? All them problems gonna be solved. Everything’s all good right?

DOWNLOAD: Mr. Lif – What About Us | Mediafire

While we wait for I Heard It Today to drop on April 21st; Mr. Lif let loose of a nice gift through his MySpace blog. A Megamix featuring 34 tracks that take you on a trip down memory lane, laces you with exclusive verses over Madlib & Flying Lotus production and then sucker punches you with the new.

Tracklist + Download link after the jump…

I’d like to be more optimistic/ But the world is twisted/ A new America?/ Oh shit, I think I missed it.

With Mr. Lif’s album, I Heard It Today, being pushed back to April 21st (back from an original Inauguration Day release) he wanted to make sure he dropped something on the historic day. Aka I’m a good week late on this post haha. Now before you go and say “Damn, another Obama song?” take a listen. Lif is always one to check for and it’s not all love. Peep his thoughts on the record after the jump…

DOWNLOAD: Mr. Lif – Obama* | Mediafire

Onry Ozzborn (of Grayskul x Oldominion) released this new project, Die Already, under the alias of The Gigantics. It’s one of the most innovative, crazy, mindblowing, conceptual, party pleasing, rock alternative, street, riverdance, interpretive step shimmy, hip hop treats ever assembled! His words not Shake’s but I still agree with the majority of it as the compilation project features 50+ voices of talent. Everyone from the likes of Murs, Aesop Rock, P.O.S., Murs, Mr. Lif, Qwel and many more. I was actually sitting on this Shut Up joint for a few weeks now but I couldn’t make the call on Vitamin D’s voice for whatever reason (smh). Thanks to RH it’s liberated, along with another…

DOWNLOAD: The Gigantics – Shut Up f. Murs, Vitamin D & Mr. Lif | MediaFire
DOWNLOAD: The Gigantics – The Explanation f. Aesop Rock, Onry Ozzborn & Eligh | MediaFire

I’ve been a fan of Mr. Lif for years upon years now and I was definitely feeling a void in his recent absence from music. It’s good to hear he’s coming back. Using his upcoming album, I Heard It Today, to create awareness on current political issues and agendas for Americans and the global community. Starting with this track; Lif will write, record, produced and digitally release 1-2 new joints every three weeks. September 23rd, October 14th & November 4th (Election Day) as well as one last single with a reaction to said election. After all that is said and done you can expect his full album to drop on January 20th (Inauguration Day) through Bloodbot Tactical Enterprises. Production from the likes of Illmind, J Zone, Edan and more.

DOWNLOAD: Mr. Lif – I Heard It Today | MediaFire