Mr. Lif (born Jeffrey Haynes) is a Boston rapper who is currently signed to… Read Full Bio ↴Mr. Lif (born Jeffrey Haynes) is a Boston rapper who is currently signed to New York independent label Definitive Jux. Besides his solo career, Lif is also a member of the hip hop group The Perceptionists with long-time friends and collaborators Akrobatik and DJ Fakts One. Mr. Lif grew up in the neighbourhood of Brighton in Boston, MA. For two years he attended Colgate University, dropping out after becoming enamored with the hip hop music being produced at the time. He became a performer in 1994. In 2000 and 2001 he won the Kahlua Boston Music Awards for Outstanding Rap/Hip Hop Act. Mr. Lif's family ancestry is Barbadian, and his faith Rasta.

Phantom
Mr. Lif Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(LIF)
Check it out
I been waitin', playin', for a long time
X amount of thoughts carried out in my mind
I turn on the TV, I see crime
Script written diligently and aired on time
Push the power button, now to devour somethin
Opened up my fridge and found nothin

Dipped to my room with an aura of gloom
Wishin' I could write another tune
But my hands are paralyzed, plus my eyes
Wanna shed tears, but it's not possible, there's
The burden of things I couldn't bear
Feelings weren't dealt with properly
Remorse follows me
With his good friend, the threat of poverty
Here's where I am, versus where I think I oughtta be
There's a certain chance I'm a victim of circumstance
I take a look at myself and at first glance
I see who I recently thought to be me
Based on identities public and private
Behold the radio pirate, ya nigga
A felon, chillin' with a gun to your melon
A pimp with his pockets swellin', a jester
A slave with wounds that fester, the wanna-be
Pre-med 3-D dread an academic reject
Hopin' to detect life, erect what god gave
Human laws are laid, we go to war, come back
And come up with more
I'm kind, friendly, your worst enemy
Charming, crass, and potentially
Dangerous, have you ever heard of such?
I'm invisible and impossible to touch

(EL-P)
This is not my beautiful melting identity
The thoughts that I can't manipulate for the safe line
Is personal, one amongst many is the macro,
Made from the pain of the fragile
(repeat 3x)

(LIF)
I still say fresh dope and things of that sort
I don't shoot up, smoke crack, or take shorts
Your thoughts are always welcome, I seldom
Won't enter another's perspective, corrective lenses
Are somethin' that I wear, so I can see the globe real clear
Look, there's famine over there, plus the families in fear
Of disease and distress that lingers in the air
These are the words of a man in purgatory
Words of a simpleton living in oblivion
Is this the model for life you will envision in
free as can be in a world of imprisonment?
I dare you to check new territory
American dream? Time for another story
One where I don't choke to keep afloat
I'm sick of livin' on false visions of hope
With a knife to my own throat
Stick of dynamite inside my overcoat
Because I know the ropes
Reality in this world is bought and sold
A very limited scope of life is shown
And I'm just one of the mold, fully controlled
Left to erode in my humble abode
You won't hear me because I got no loot
You don't hear me because you don't compute
I'm docile, psycho, have you heard of such?
I'm invisible and impossible to touch

Single mother, who are you? (I phantom)
Office worker, who are you? (I phantom)
Caught up in the system, who are you? (I phantom)
Tryin' to earn a living, who are you? (I phantom)
Depressed and uninspired, who are you? (I phantom)
Hard-workin', broke and tired, who are you? (I phantom)

Seekin' education, who are you? (I phantom)
Can't get ahead no matter what you do? (I phantom)

Overall Meaning

In the song 'Phantom' by Mr. Lif, he expresses his frustration and feelings of being trapped in a world that is controlled by systems and institutions. He starts by describing his state of mind, which is overwhelmed by the multitude of thoughts and emotions that he is experiencing. Mr. Lif then highlights some of the issues he sees with the society he lives in, such as the prevalence of crime and poverty. He acknowledges that his feelings stem from a lack of emotional processing, and he is burdened with the anguish of things that he could not bear. Mr. Lif talks about his identity, which is shaped by his public and private identities, the roles he plays in society, and how they influence his self-image. He sees himself as a member of the mold, fully controlled, and left to erode in his humble abode, with limited opportunities to break free. He emphasises that reality in his world is bought and sold, and only a very narrow scope of life is shown. Mr. Lif then calls out to people in different walks of life, asking them who they are, before concluding that he is a phantom, implying that he feels invisible and impossible to touch.

Line by Line Meaning

Check it out
Listen to me

I been waitin', playin', for a long time
I have been waiting and struggling for a while

X amount of thoughts carried out in my mind
I have a lot of thoughts going through my head

I turn on the TV, I see crime
When I watch TV, all I see is crime

Script written diligently and aired on time
These TV shows are carefully planned and broadcasted on schedule

Push the power button, now to devour somethin
I turn off the TV and try to find something to eat

Opened up my fridge and found nothin
There is no food in my refrigerator

Dipped to my room with an aura of gloom
I go to my room feeling sad

Wishin' I could write another tune
I want to write another song

But my hands are paralyzed, plus my eyes
I feel stuck and helpless, and my emotions are overwhelming me

Wanna shed tears, but it's not possible, there's
I want to cry, but I can't due to the burden of my emotions

The burden of things I couldn't bear
I am struggling with things that are difficult to cope with

Feelings weren't dealt with properly
I haven't properly dealt with my emotions

Remorse follows me
I feel guilty about my past choices

With his good friend, the threat of poverty
Poverty is always a constant threat in my life

Here's where I am, versus where I think I oughtta be
I feel like I should be in a better place in my life

There's a certain chance I'm a victim of circumstance
I may be a product of my environment and past experiences

I take a look at myself and at first glance
When I reflect on myself, I see the surface-level identity I have created

I see who I recently thought to be me
I see the identity I have recently created for myself

Based on identities public and private
My identity is shaped by both my public and private life

Behold the radio pirate, ya nigga
I am a radio pirate, a criminal hiding behind the anonymity of the radio

A felon, chillin' with a gun to your melon
I am a criminal holding a gun to your head

A pimp with his pockets swellin', a jester
I am a pimp who is making a lot of money, but I am also a fool who doesn't realize the error of my ways

A slave with wounds that fester, the wanna-be
I am a slave to my own desires, and my wounds never fully heal. I am also trying to be someone I am not

Pre-med 3-D dread an academic reject
I am afraid of failure in my academic pursuits, but I am also rejected by the academic community

Hopin' to detect life, erect what god gave
I am trying to find meaning in life and make the most of what I have

Human laws are laid, we go to war, come back
Human society is governed by laws which lead to war, and we always come back with even more problems

And come up with more
We create more problems than we solve

I'm kind, friendly, your worst enemy
I appear to be nice and friendly, but I am actually your worst enemy

Charming, crass, and potentially
I can be very charming, but I can also be very crude and I have the potential to do harm

Dangerous, have you ever heard of such?
I am a dangerous person, and it's hard to believe someone like me exists

I'm invisible and impossible to touch
I feel invisible and untouchable by society

This is not my beautiful melting identity
This is not the identity I want for myself

The thoughts that I can't manipulate for the safe line
I have thoughts that I can't express for fear of consequences

Is personal, one amongst many is the macro,
These thoughts are personal, but they are also part of a larger societal issue

Made from the pain of the fragile
These thoughts are the result of my own struggles and vulnerability

I still say fresh dope and things of that sort
I still enjoy good things and look for positivity

I don't shoot up, smoke crack, or take shorts
I don't do drugs or take the easy way out

Your thoughts are always welcome, I seldom
I am open to hearing other people's thoughts and perspectives, but I don't always agree with them

Won't enter another's perspective, corrective lenses
I won't try to understand someone else's perspective, but I will wear glasses to help me see the world more clearly

Are somethin' that I wear, so I can see the globe real clear
I wear glasses so I can see the world accurately

Look, there's famine over there, plus the families in fear
I am aware of the struggles of others, such as famine and fear

Of disease and distress that lingers in the air
People are suffering from disease and mental distress around the world

These are the words of a man in purgatory
These are the words of a man who feels like he is living in limbo

Words of a simpleton living in oblivion
These are the words of someone who feels ignorant and unaware of the world around them

Is this the model for life you will envision in
Is this what you want your life to look like?

free as can be in a world of imprisonment?
I want to be free in a world that feels constantly restrictive

I dare you to check new territory
I challenge you to explore new things and think outside the box

American dream? Time for another story
It's time to rethink the American dream and what it really means

One where I don't choke to keep afloat
A dream where I don't have to struggle to survive

I'm sick of livin' on false visions of hope
I'm tired of believing in things that never materialize

With a knife to my own throat
I feel like I am my own worst enemy, and I struggle with self-destructive thoughts

Stick of dynamite inside my overcoat
I am carrying a bomb inside me, waiting to explode

Because I know the ropes
I understand how the world works, but I don't necessarily like it

Reality in this world is bought and sold
The way we see reality is shaped by those who have power and money

A very limited scope of life is shown
We are only shown a limited view of what life can be like

And I'm just one of the mold, fully controlled
I am just like everyone else, and I feel controlled by society

Left to erode in my humble abode
I am stuck in my home, watching time pass me by

You won't hear me because I got no loot
Nobody pays attention to me because I don't have money

You don't hear me because you don't compute
People don't understand me and don't bother to try

I'm docile, psycho, have you heard of such?
I am passive and crazy at the same time, which is unheard of

Single mother, who are you? (I phantom)
I wonder who you are, single mother?

Office worker, who are you? (I phantom)
I wonder who you are, office worker?

Caught up in the system, who are you? (I phantom)
I wonder who you are, trapped in the system?

Tryin' to earn a living, who are you? (I phantom)
I wonder who you are, trying to make ends meet?

Depressed and uninspired, who are you? (I phantom)
I wonder who you are, feeling sad and unmotivated?

Hard-workin', broke and tired, who are you? (I phantom)
I wonder who you are, working hard and struggling to survive?

Seekin' education, who are you? (I phantom)
I wonder who you are, trying to get an education?

Can't get ahead no matter what you do? (I phantom)
I wonder who you are, feeling stuck and unable to move forward?

Contributed by Jasmine M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Tim's Pill

5y↑36

[LIF]
Check it out
I been waitin', playin', for a long time
X amount of thoughts carried out in my mind
I turn on the TV, I see crime
Script written diligently and aired on time
Push the power button, now I'm to devour somethin
Opened up my fridge and found nothin
Tipped to my room with an aura of gloom
Wishin' I could write another tune
But my hands are paralyzed, plus my eyes
Wanna shed tears, but it's not possible, there's
The burden of things I couldn't bear
Feelings weren't dealt with properly
Remorse follows me
With his good friend, the threat of poverty
Here's where I am, versus where I think I oughtta be
There's a certain chance I'm a victim of circumstance
I take a look at myself and at first glance
I see who I recently thought to be me
Based on identities public and private
Behold the radio pirate, ya nigga
A felon, chillin' with a gun to your melon
A pimp with his pockets swellin', a jester
A slave with wounds that fester, the wanna-be
Pre-med 3-D dread an academic reject
Hoping to detect why we wrecked what God gave
Human laws are laid, we go to war
Come back and come up with more
I'm kind, friendly, your worst enemy
Charming, crass, and potentially
Dangerous, have you ever heard of such?
I'm invisible and impossible to touch

[EL-P]
This is not my beautiful melting identity
The thoughts that I can't manipulate for the safe line
Is personal, one amongst many is the macro
Made from the pain of the fragile
(repeat 3x)

[LIF]
I still say fresh dope and things of that sort
I don't shoot up, smoke crack, or take shorts
Your thoughts are always welcome, I seldom
Won't enter another's perspective, corrective lenses
Are somethin' that I wear, so I can see the globe real clear
Look, there's famine over there, plus the families in fear
Of disease and distress that lingers in the air
These are the words of a man in purgatory
Words of a simpleton living in oblivion
Is this the model for life you will envisionin
Free as can be in a world of imprisonment?
I dare you to check new territory
American dream? Time for another story
One where I don't choke to keep afloat
I'm sick of livin' on false visions of hope
With a knife to my own throat
Stick of dynamite inside my overcoat
Because I know the ropes
Reality in this world is bought and sold
A very limited scope of life is shown
And I'm just one of the mold, fully controlled
Left to erode in my humble abode
You won't hear me because I got no loot
You don't hear me because you don't compute
I'm docile, psycho, have you heard of such?
I'm invisible and impossible to touch

Single mother, who are you? (I phantom)
Office worker, who are you? (I phantom)
Caught up in the system, who are you? (I phantom)
Tryin' to earn a living, who are you? (I phantom)
Depressed and uninspired, who are you? (I phantom)
Hard-workin', broke and tired, who are you? (I phantom)
Seekin' education, who are you? (I phantom)
Can't get ahead no matter what you do? (I phantom)

Adrian Francis Mariano

5y↑1

Check it out
I been waitin', playin', for a long time
X amount of thoughts carried out in my mind
I turn on the tv, I see crime
Script written diligently and aired on time
Push the power button, now to devour somethin'
Opened up my fridge and found nothin'
Tipped to my room with an aura of gloom
Wishin' I could write another tune
But my hands are paralyzed, plus my eyes
Wanna she'd tears, but it's not possible, there's
The burden of things I couldn't bear
Feelings weren't dealt with properly
Remorse follows me
With his good friend, the threat of poverty
Here's where I am, versus where I think I oughta be
There's a certain chance I'm a victim of circumstance
I take a look at myself and at first glance
I see who I recently thought to be me
Based on identities public and private
Behold the radio pirate, ya nigga
A felon, chillin' with a gun to your melon
A pimp with his pockets swellin', a jester
A slave with wounds that fester, the wanna-be
Pre-med 3-D dread an academic reject
Hopin' to detect life, erect what god gave
Human laws are laid, we go to war, come back
And come up with more
I'm kind, friendly, your worst enemy
Charming, crass, and potentially
Dangerous, have you ever heard of such?
I'm invisible and impossible to touch

[El-P]
This is not my beautiful melting identity
The thoughts that I can't manipulate for the safe line
Is personal, one amongst many is the macro,
Made from the pain of the fragile
(Repeat 3x)

Lif]
I still say fresh dope and things of that sort
I don't shoot up, smoke crack, or take shorts
Your thoughts are always welcome, I seldom
Won't enter another's perspective, corrective lenses
Are somethin' that I wear, so I can see the globe real clear
Look, there's famine over there, plus the families in fear
Of disease and distress that lingers in the air
These are the words of a man in purgatory
Words of a simpleton living in oblivion
Is this the model for life you will envisionin
Free as can be in a world of imprisonment?
I dare you to check new territory
American dream? Time for another story
One where I don't choke to keep afloat
I'm sick of livin' on false visions of hope
With a knife to my own throat
Stick of dynamite inside my overcoat
Because I know the ropes
Reality in this world is bought and sold
A very limited scope of life is shown
And I'm just one of the mold, fully controlled
Left to erode in my humble abode
You won't hear me because I got no loot
You don't hear me because you don't compute
I'm docile, psycho, have you heard of such?
I'm invisible and impossible to touch

Single mother, who are you?(I phantom)
Office worker, who are you?(I phantom)
Caught up in the system, who are you? (I phantom)
Tryin' to earn a living, who are you? (I phantom)
Depressed and uninspired, who are you? (I phantom)
Hard-workin', broke and tired, who are you? (I phantom)
Seekin' education, who are you? (I phantom)
Can't get ahead no matter what you do? (I phantom)

Dave Lindo Music

4y↑1

Check it out
I been waitin', playin', for a long time
X amount of thoughts carried out in my mind
I turn on the TV, I see crime
Script written diligently and aired on time
Push the power button, now I'm to devour somethin
Opened up my fridge and found nothin
Tipped to my room with an aura of gloom
Wishin' I could write another tune
But my hands are paralyzed, plus my eyes
Wanna shed tears, but it's not possible, there's
The burden of things I couldn't bear
Feelings weren't dealt with properly
Remorse follows me
With his good friend, the threat of poverty
Here's where I am, versus where I think I ought-ta be
There's a certain chance I'm a victim of circumstance
I take a look at myself and at first glance
I see who I recently thought to be me
Based on identities public and private
Behold the radio pirate, ya nigga
A felon, chillin' with a gun to your melon
A pimp with his pockets swellin', a jester
A slave with wounds that fester, the wanna-be
Pre-med 3-D dread an academic reject
Hoping to detect why we wrecked what God gave
Human laws are laid, we go to war
Come back and come up with more
I'm kind, friendly, your worst enemy
Charming, crass, and potentially
Dangerous, have you ever heard of such?
I'm invisible and impossible to touch

[EL-P]
This is not my beautiful melting identity
The thoughts that I can't manipulate for the safe line
Is personal, one amongst many is the macro
Made from the pain of the fragile
(repeat 3x)

[LIF]
I still say fresh dope and things of that sort
I don't shoot up, smoke crack, or take shorts
Your thoughts are always welcome, I seldom
Won't enter another's perspective, corrective lenses
Are somethin' that I wear, so I can see the globe real clear
Look, there's famine over there, plus the families in fear
Of disease and distress that lingers in the airT
hese are the words of a man in purgatory
Words of a simpleton living in oblivion
Is this the model for life you will envisionin
Free as can be in a world of imprisonment?
I dare you to check new territory
American dream? Time for another story
One where I don't choke to keep afloat
I'm sick of livin' on false visions of hope
With a knife to my own throat
Stick of dynamite inside my overcoat
Because I know the ropes
Reality in this world is bought and sold
A very limited scope of life is shown
And I'm just one of the mold, fully controlled
Left to erode in my humble abode
You won't hear me because I got no loot
You don't hear me because you don't compute
I'm docile, psycho, have you heard of such?
I'm invisible and impossible to touch

Single mother, who are you? (I phantom)
Office worker, who are you? (I phantom)
Caught up in the system, who are you? (I phantom)
Tryin' to earn a living, who are you? (I phantom)
Depressed and uninspired, who are you? (I phantom)
Hard-workin', broke and tired, who are you? (I phantom)
Seekin' education, who are you? (I phantom)
Can't get ahead no matter what you do? (I phantom)

All comments from YouTube:

Adam S

2y↑107

It's really hard to overstate how much THUG and this song specifically shaped my musical tastes growing up

LilPetty x BigDiesel

47w↑3

Agreed my brotendo

Josh Redcay

44w↑1

You and me both

Bladed Cicada

44w↑1

Def jux for life.

Tapeworm

39w↑3

El-p is a monster

4 More Replies...

Nippy

1y↑40

“Single mother, who are you? (I phantom)
Office worker, who are you? (I phantom)
Caught up in the system, who are you? (I phantom)
Tryin’ to earn a living, who are you? (I phantom)
Depressed and uninspired, who are you? (I phantom)
Hard-workin’, broke and tired, who are you? (I phantom)
Seekin’ education, who are you? (I phantom)
Can’t get ahead no matter what you do? (I phantom)” this is one of the most powerful verses I have ever heard in song, in reality we're all phantom's.

Matthew Love

29w

@nippy2405 ^*all phantoms, not all phantom’s

Vince Sza

1y↑9

This came into my head out of absolutely nowhere while I was trying to fall asleep. I played it and almost cried from the nostalgia. 31. Wishing I was 15.

Georgie McPseudonym

9y↑182

This is possibly the most soberingly powerful piece of hip hop music I've ever heard.

I POWER FLOWER !

😎

HawkeyedSentinel

4y↑6

El fucking Produco man, the guy is top 3 producers in Hip Hop.

Arron Leeming

@HawkeyedSentinel a bit late i know but out of interest who are your top 2?

SiZoRHaNDS

30w

Try success Mr Lif prod El P feat Aesop rock . You’ll love it even more 👀

popsiclewizard

3y↑71

I'm almost 30 but when I listen to this, I feel like I'm 14 again. Kinda cool how much nostalgia is here, but those lyrics pull me back to reality. Visiting that childlike mindset and simultaneously reflecting on the state of my adult life makes 14 year-old me pretty bummed out. This is a very special piece of music, even if the emotions it evokes aren't all good. THUG life, yall. Don't ever forget.

The Krazy Hatter

1y↑1

I AM ALMOST 30 and I feel the exact same way bro let's link and make a cover of this song like I already know the lyrics by heart but I want to add something new

Underrated GOATED song

Juan Cenobio

@The Krazy Hatter that's funny as hell man I hope you can cover this song

Jacob Caudle

Same here, and next year I’ll be an adult so I’m saying goodbye to my childhood early.

Bmore Bread

I feel the exact same way myself, damn near shed a tear thinking 0f how life was back then

LilPetty x BigDiesel

47w

I'm with you bro, nearly 32 myself and I'm guessing you are now 2 years later from or og comment.

It's good stuff man.

blah

14y↑49

I never understood why they left this off the actual "I Phantom" album, this song is amazing.

Napoleon Solo

3y↑25

"I'm sick of living on false visions of hope."
That's a lyrical gut punch, right there.

Nordine Elmsaouri

"with a knife to my own throat"

Captain Gancena

4y↑46

every few years I remember this song out of nowhere and get shaken up as though it were the first time. And it deserves to be felt that way.

undertakr

2y↑1

Been nearly a decade for me. Holy shit.

Kevin Kwiatek

Same here 🤜🏼🤛🏼

x x

3y↑20

Amazing track, not surprised that THUG won the best soundtrack in a video game award with a gem like this.

Tim's Pill

5y↑36

likeriver

1y↑7

20 years later and this is still probably my favorite hip hop song. It's still as relevant today as it was then, maybe even more so.

Reality is Dreams

3y↑33

whoever chose the soundtrack for THUG deserves a fkin oscar man

Fenomeno 96 🍄

3y↑22

This is the song that lowkey got me deeper into conspiracies when I was in high school. That El-P beat is so haunting I love how it makes me feel anxious.

Anthony Truman

3y↑6

This song is perfection. The lyrics are on point because its Mr. Lif. And the production is so good I can play it over and over

First of December

51w↑3

I remember liking this song A LOT when I was a kid. Now that I’m 31 and looking back, I’m so glad I remembered it. Very powerful lyrics and innovative beat. It’s like ASAP ripped the beat schematics and left the lyricism. Very ahead of its time. Beautiful.

Akumazu's Fusion

1y↑2

Wow. This song is basically speaking in many terms. FE, reality, science, pandemics, gematria, mainstream media. The more and more I listen to it. My mind gets blown.

Shotta Shabazz

3y↑8

No matter your skin color or whether you listen to Rap/Hip-Hop regularly there is not many people who cannot relate to the lyrics in this song. This joint/EP album dropped in 2002 but the lyrics are even more bare bone true now than it’s ever been. Peace Mr. Lif. I understand Brotha. I understand.

Anthony Truman

Thats the truth. Have you heard his album I Phantom too? Also his albums "Sleepyheads" are compilations of miscellaneous tracks, they got a lot of gems on there too. I'm about to check his new album he just dropped too called Vanguard

Shotta Shabazz

3y↑1

I got that masterpiece I-Phantom also @Anthony Truman I don’t have the Sleepyheads compilation album though. That last album you mentioned is that the one with Stu Banga?

Anthony Truman

@Shotta Shabazz late reply but the sleepyheads compilations are on YouTube and bandcamp. And yes the Vanguard one is Mr. Lif and Stu Bangas

Unknown

3y↑42

This song holds a special place in my mind

Avenue Jia

3y↑1

A place I wish I could go bacc to I often don’t wanna go bacc to it I wanna get to it

Prince Yebson

2y↑1

I might have them play this at my funeral it's so beautiful and such a powerful song

Radazure

3y↑54

At 3:10, he asks "Single mother, who are you?" and at 3:25, he asks "Seeking education, who are you?"

The same lady voice responds "I, Phantom" in both instances. It always struck me as interesting that Mr. Lif would use the same voice clip for both, but now that my wife and I are about to have a baby, it made me think about how she would support herself if I were gone. Props to all the single mothers out there that don't have much support from family or the government, where the only way out of that rut is to seek an education that would most likely result in hefty student loans that would take years to repay, on top of the costs associated with raising a child.

likeriver

3y↑6

Great catch. All the times I heard this song never made the connection

Charlie Edwards

2y↑5

Damn ... Took me ten years to realize this😮

Dat Bang

2y↑2

Yeah called real life .... Great that you've just understood now

Radazure

2y↑8

Haha I will never understand life. One day I'm doing something right, then the next day it's not right, especially with a 6 month old baby. The only thing I understand is that I may never fully get it, and that's okay.

Graham Bag

@Dat Bang lmao

1 More Replies...

Based Proletariat

31w↑2

One of the most powerful pieces of
political hip-hop ever.

"You don't hear me, because i got no loot, you won't hear me, because it don't compute"

Deuce Brickinson

11y↑8

I haven't heard this song in years and rarely listen to hip hop anymore but this is still untouchable! One of the best hip hop tracks ever recorded period! This song hits me in so many different ways, it's just a beautiful piece of art.

ARTalive01

11y↑5

I normally not a fan of rap what so ever but i love Mr Lif's Work he truly has a lyrical talent and ability to make songs that are far deeper than most the crap that people call Rap... As a few have said here underground rap is a hell of a lot better and he is one of a few that proves it.

daklover77

14y↑6

el-p....most underrated producer in rap...

slytherinsheirx

16y↑10

I heard this on THUG and I couldn't stop listening to it. That one of the other reasons why I like those games, they bring in other types of music you might not always listen to. I am a rock / metal type of guy, but I found I liked a lot of these styles of tracks. Awesome!

Fuck You Google

5y↑17

I managed to get ahold of this album as soon as it came out. It was late-october or early-november 2001. Think about those dates. This dude produced the whole EP within less than a month of 9/11. Lif knew what time it was immediately.

Not Now

5y↑1

Wow ! 😮😊😁😂😂😂

Jon Coffee

10y↑140

Love this shit. Real rap like this is a dying breed

itoh138

9y↑16

Jon Coffee its growing and breeding. a strong tree has deep roots, let the "rootless" trees have their spotlights. if you want some input, maybe i can help you with some artist. but do me a favor and check out "Tekneek" he is a A+ british conscience-/spiritual/anti-elite rapper :) cheers mate, one!

7catstied2gether

8y↑10

Run the Jewels.

Magnefficient Gaming

7y↑1

much like akala?

Magnefficient Gaming

7y↑2

dont worry mcees like me who love this beautiful art and understand how it blesses a man and his people are become even more strong real rap isn't going any where

3 More Replies...

William Franco

46w↑1

Crazy this isn't on Spotify. Thug days. Good times. This song is crazy nostalgic. The vibe is incomparable

James Knight

41w

Isn’t on Apple Music either, he’s got his other work up. Sadly I don’t think this’ll ever see those streaming platforms.

Tijan Kusačić

39w

I love how this song has such a old school vibe to it. Whoever the composer is, he killed it!

ALEXisSPANISH

16y↑2

I remember hearing this for the first time on Tony Hawk's Underground, loved it ever since. Greatest song to skate to on the whole game. The beat, the lyrics, it's all hot. "With the knife to my own throat, stick of dynmite inside my overcoat, because I know the ropes."

Third Eye Genesis

11y↑38

Actually, as much as I'd like to agree to this, we have mindless rap for a reason, its so that we can learn to truly appreciate music like this once we find it, its like a yin and yang balance between positive and evil energy.

Craig R

3y↑1

True shit.

macewbee

3y↑1

Agreed 👍

HOW TO RAP

10y↑32

Mr. Lif was interviewed for the book series HOW TO RAP and HOW TO RAP2, and shared his rapping techniques. Here he talks about recording a track.
"To a large extent, [I have the delivery worked out beforehand],
but then you get in there and it’s kind of a process
of trial and error. Sometimes there’s an inflection that I had
planned to put on a word that might not be quite the right
approach—you always have to refine that and that’s why you
have to do several takes, to really crystallize it."

MrSotaPhonk

10y↑2

ay i have this book!

I POWER FLOWER !

😎

Slimrick6

11y↑14

This song captures my emotions perfectly I don't wanna be a phantom

Antonius Vaughn

28w

Me Too

Henrik O

15y↑3

This was my favourite track when I was 15-16 years old. I still love this song. An underground classic!

Victor Sutherland

8y↑98

In THUG 1 I always played this song during the final match with Eric. Such a fitting song for a climax :)

Romeo ⛈🕸

5y↑1

Victor Sutherland 🔥🔥

Defiance_7

5y↑2

Me Too! Lol

Zachary Hanson

4y↑1

I literally just did that and then was like oh shitt is that El-p????

I'm bored probably

4y↑1

Same lmao

Gamexhazrd

2y↑4

Eric is such a fake friend lol

thirdshift47

15y

And he's an even more cool person(as well as a really engaging live performer.) I remember seeing this cat live at the Roxy in Atlanta back in '01 performing with Prefuse 73,and after his set he was walking amongst the crowd,conversing with and casually getting to know the audience members.

Loren

10y↑227

"Reality in this world is bought and sold. A very limited scope of life is shown."

Peace 2 Mateo

6y↑2

youniverse thats deep cuzzim

CERAMIC_

5y↑2

Greatest line in rap history

I POWER FLOWER !

4y↑1

😎

celt29

3y↑2

Still hits.

RAD 1979

2y↑4

More relevant today then when the song released.

3 More Replies...

itoh138

16y↑11

I thank you for supporting Lif; this cd is worth the price.

V3GA-O

After so many many years I'm still bumping this beautiful piece of art. The feeling you can't compare it to anything. Such an amazing feeling 🔥💖

MoonsideResident

16y↑1

Amen to that man; I'm a metalhead all the way, but once in awhile I'll stumble on an amazing rap song that really means something. This is one of the best.

Aaron Williams

14y↑1

This track is the truth, real talk. Dont care what anyone says, its all about the true artists that do it out there. These cats deserve WAY better reconition

PunkyHipHopDude

14y↑2

Hell yes. You can call the late 80's/early 90's the golden age of hip hop but this was the silver age. When mc's used to drop knowledge, and meaningful lyrics were important. Count my blessings I grew up during the latter. Canibus, Killah priest, Lif, Cage, Aesop rock, Sage Francis, Cannibal ox were all peaking around this time. Dope producers too, El:p, krush, shadow, stoup and alchemist were probably at their best too.

Just breathe

10y↑16

to be honest i mostly listen to very heavy metal music, death metal / black metal / thrash etc. but i must say, hiphop like this is so talented i can't help but listen. the intelligence, structure etc. are something to be admired. mr.lif is definitely at the top of my list of real artists! fuck lil wayne.

WakeWorkRepeat

10y↑2

Listen to Aesop Rock. Be sure to search for the lyrics on Rap Genius (Google it) whilst listening at the same time. Don't be put-off by one song, listen to several. He is the most cryptic and technically impressive lyricist to grace this earth. If you like Mr Lif, hopefully you will like Aesop Rock. Funnily enough, he's best friends with El-P (the voices you hear at 1:33).

Just breathe

8y↑1

WakeWorkRepeat i live aesop rock, his song no jumper cables is my favorite, i love graffiti so that song speaks to me. thank you though! if their is anyone else you can think of that maybe i haven't heard please let me know

trey perkins

Still a powerful and meaningful track in 2020, I love it!
I met Mr. Lif at hieroday back in 2016, such a down to earth guy!

Pronear

2y↑1

First heard this gem in T.H.U.G. such a good song, always appreciate the solid lyrics, wish this was on spotify

sinnison23

15y

If you listen to Emergency Rations and then immediately listen to the album I, Phantom they blend together almost perfectly. The opening track of I, Phantom starts with a radio playing this track which is the last on Emergency Rations, meanwhile Lif and Vast Aire are talking over the track as it plays in the background.

armsinmotion

15y

don't worry about pop songs getting more hits than this peeps, the mainstream is what keeps the clutter away from the true heads and those who respect art and not image. big respect to Lif, always been one of my favourites, this is one of those songs that always stirrs my emotions.

CHURCH-FLIRT

My FKN God this track is insane saw this dude with Cage in Melbourne I believe might have been the closest encounter to THE most friendly rapper I ever met PROPS TO THE MIGHTY EL-P

Steel Here

8y↑4

I love this track. Thank-you, Mr. Lif. 100% Hip-Hop.

Edward West

13y

Perfect beat, lyrics that have true meaning behind it.... perfect song.

Archmonkblue

16y

I give mr.lif so much props for this song it has a great meaning also thank tony hawk's underground for having this in their playlist more people should here this song and understand its meaning

Johny Triádez

3y↑1

One of the best rap song ever made! The lyrics are pure fire! So glad i know about this song and listen often to it!

Anthony Truman

3y↑1

Check out Mr. Lif's whole album I Phantom. Almost every song is amazing like this one. Especially Return of The B Boy

Need More Input

2y↑8

This song hit me hard when I was 19. Hits me even harder at age 37.

Illegally-Blind

45w

39 and I wish I could go back

Smackson

7y↑73

used to rap every word of this as a pre teen. had no idea how much he was actually spittin. he was woke before woke was a thing

TokRocK

6y↑4

yea man

Fuck You Google

6y↑21

I discovered Lif shortly after this EP dropped. My roommate got a hold of it. It came out in the middle of 2002, right after the Patriot Act had been passed. It was relevant at the time. It is possibly even more relevant today.

BombiN0

5y↑2

Facts.

I POWER FLOWER !

4y↑2

😎

Neil McDougall

3y↑3

If you listen to Lif's past catalogue he's always been awakened ('woke' no longer holds the same weight) and switched on

E-Man

15y

Well said. It doesn't matter how they found out about this dude. It matters that they are hearing someone so skilled.

merkabaradio

14y

i agree with a lot of those but its also important to mention that a few of them have been evolving their style, more specifically cage and eyedea. Both of them released a very emotionally charged albums (depart from me and by the throat). Even though people are complaining, it's a lot more developed then a lot of the 'fans' are willing to acknowledge. Happy I'm not the only one happy with the new cage album. Plus the album art by alex pardee is awesome.

Robotron Sage

2y↑2

One of the best songs of all time

Bmore Bread

1y↑1

This song gives me a whirlwind of emotions like a crying smiling loving depressed happy madman

Green Bomber

11y

Dude this Song is Flawless from Start to Finish, Every word is on point this is a classic Hit

Marco Reali

3y↑3

Damn forgot all about this song. Played it so much in my days. Fucking great lyrics!!! Lif is unique

Matthew Wilson

14y

Lif is too cool. 100% original and innovative, extremely talented and a fine lyricist. Plus you gotta love the hair.

o'zeen brigdford aka kushboy

this song sent real chills up my spine

sametoo021

17y↑1

Awesome song, first heard it on Tony Hawk's Underground and then checked out the rest of his stuff and been listening to him ever since. Tony Hawk's has great hip-hop usually, I'd have to say that THPS2 was the first place where I heard non-mainstream stuff. B-Boy Document '99 by High & Mighty featuring Mos Def, I owe so much to that track.

SlowDown101

16y

Like I said before Lif is one of the great teachers. Franti,Biafra,Akrobatic,Chuck D,KRS One,Henry Rollins, and Dr.Greg Graffin(from Bad Religion) these are the great teachers of our age learn from the be humble as they are and learn like they have. Stay Strong Lif.

Shirokuma Otaku

5y↑3

As much as I heard this Song over & over I am only now just learning all the lyrics ❤

Abraham O'meally

8y↑17

def. one of the best underground hip hop tracks.

anarchodolly

16y

love this track - whole EP is wicked really.... especially "heavy artillery" and "get wise".

chopshop85

16y↑1

The lyrics are so good. dude is clued up on life.

Phrickshun

13y

Man, this song. I haven't heard it in years, I stumbled across this surfing YouTube, I forgot how incredible this is.

Judothrow5

16y

Lif is one of the hardest rappers I've heard in a time, I love listening to him.

Bladed Cicada

As relevant day as it was then. Pure distilled genius. Love you Lif.

howtoraplike

10y↑4

Mr Lif said a ton of dope things in a couple of books he's in, HOW TO RAP + HOW TO RAP 2
One of his comments is-
''To a large extent, I have the delivery worked out beforehand,
but then you get in there and it’s kind of a process
of trial and error. Sometimes there’s an inflection that I had
planned to put on a word that might not be quite the right
approach—you always have to refine that and that’s why you
have to do several takes, to really crystallize it.''

DollfaceKim

8y↑2

man, I just love this song! soooo good, I'll never get sick of this one! 😘 Mr Lif!

Broad Way

Possibly one of the greatest, hardest mentally hitting tracks I've heard. Sorry to those MCs who know I love them

Adrian Francis Mariano

5y↑1

Edinson Cavani Respector

Adrian Francis Mariano godly rap

Matteo O

12y↑2

Great stuff! Mr Lif your voice is appreciated. Q. Why is protest music still under-appreciated when it's more needed than ever?

Dave Lindo Music

4y↑1

MyHipHopTunes

13y↑3

"These are the words of a man in purgatory Words of a simpleton living in oblivion" SO DOPE!

Tomás Bernard

4y↑1

Bruh I remember bumping this on the last objective. Just trying to keep a technical line behind Eric with this amazing song blasting was the best climax to any skateboarding video I’ve played so far. I’m pumped up just thinking about it

Rob Miller

13y

How is it possible to dislike this song? If you don't like this song you don't like music, poetry, literature, painting, sculpture, or anything else that other humans like.

ƒøø1

3y↑1

Masterpiece. Love this track.

Hr Puffinstuff

44w

Tony hawk Underground brought me hear 15 years ago. This song lead me to dive deep into hip-hop. Bought this cd at 16. Downloaded off limewire. Here in 2023 and I'm turning 31 in a week. Thanks Mr.Lif for letting me break outta classic rock. This song made me for real.

Elia M

After listening to hip-hop all my life... going through all the oldschool and newschool this is still up there as one of my favourites #THUG1

Devlin

Still listening to this amazing track to this day. Hope everyone is being their best selves. I wish the best in everyone’s journey in life. You’re stronger than you know and you don’t even know it.

Albert

5y↑8

2019. Still hits me deep.

Thomas Dean

Well, if this actually made me shed a tear tonight... it's testament to the true beauty of these lyrics....

Gouranga

16y

Thanks to Mr. Lif we have the best rap/hip-hop songs ever "Can't get ahead no matter what you do? I Phantom!" Genious!

It’s always now

13y

This is one of those songs that will stay with you forever, at least it has with me.

Exeter002

14y↑1

Pretty much one of the few greatest songs ever conceived.

Third Eye

34w↑1

This is one of those mystical tracks that defies the laws of physics.

L'Quik Shrtz

10y↑9

This dude is leggit! Awesome tune too bad not all hip hop sounds like this

thirdshift47

15y

I 'm glad that you like him(Prefuse is actually the last live Hip Hop show that i've seen,back around Nov.'07) He's an experimental beatmaker straight out of Atlanta,but has achieved critical success worldwide. Keep diggin' for exciting artists;there's a whole world of underground and international Hip Hop that's been overlooked for,atleast,the past 25 years.

VintageWhiteTerror

14y

This is real. Production, lyrics, everything is tight and reflective. This will always be relevent. I Phantom? Yes.

R

i was buzzing with chills at the last part... will always love this song... "who are you?"

DRHELI

13y

This is sick. Mr Lif is a legend.

Brad Pollard

One of my favorite rap songs of all time!

FreshlyCutGrass

9y↑23

aha had no idea who El-P was then when I was a kid but I love his shit now!! full circle eternal return shit here

masterreaper738

16y

man this song always gets me its jus the sound and the flow that always gets me thinkin. im more of a metal rock person but there are always those certain rap songs that make mego lik damn...and this sure as hell is one of them

Venn

14y

I think I listened to this song close to 500 times in my life. Maybe even more. And although the rapping in the first verse is slightly flawed I still think this is Mr. Lifs best song and one of the best rap songs ever created. For sure!

Andrew Bering

15y

I think the beat's the first thing that sets this apart from every other rap song in existence. So yeah, I like it.

shitbrick777

15y

The only sin committed is that if someone heard this track, whether from a video game or somewhere else, liked it, then didn't bother diggin deeper into Lif's music. There's tons of great music out there, go find it, don't wait for someone else to do the work and then feed it to you. I found Lif from listening to Aesop, saw he was on the same label, C-rayz too, now I have 3 artists I like instead of being satisfied with one.

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