L.A. Native MURS is one of the most influential figures in underground hip-hop. Don’t believe me? Ask Ab-Soul, ask Rapsody, ask Kendrick, ask Cozz. Shit, just ask your favorite emcee; odds are they have, at the very least, brushed elbows with the West Coast gatekeeper (who you may recognize from The Breakdown series).
He’s also one of the most influential figures for me personally. In fact, his collaborative albums with legendary producer 9th Wonder played a huge role in my love of and interest in hip-hop and there’s a good chance I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for albums like Murray’s Revenge and Murs 3:16.
A prolific partnership that dates back to ’03, MURS and 9th will wrap up there seven album saga with the release of The Iliad Is Dead And The Odyssey Is Over in July. One of two singles released last week, “Night Shift” is a good preview of what’s to come and a good history lesson for those who may be new to MURS. Atop a smooth, piano-driven beat from Kash (a member of 9th’s producer collective, the Soul Council) expands his place in hip-hop on what has sustained his 20+ year career; his work ethic. As always MURS’ demonstrative voice is brimming with conviction and authenticity which give his words some real weight and should inspire anyone working hard towards a dream.
Be sure to check out the second single released “Ga$ Sation Gucci Belt” and be on the lookout for more from the duo as we inch closer to the July 19th release date of The Iliad Is Dead And The Odyssey Is Over.