MURS 3:16: the 9th Edition

MURS and 9th Wonder - MURS 3:16: the 9th Edition

1.) Intro

The intro beat starts off pretty sweet, but gets annoying with a repetitive elctronic sound that echoes in the background. But for an intro, MURS spits a dope verse explaining the album and more importantly its purpose.

2.) Bad Man!

A very innovative song that shows MURS' versatility, as he discusses women and reveals both sides of his love life. How he's often confused with a bad man, and how he's really not, he's just an honest man. He spits real talk over the 9th beat. This beat has repititive sample of "Bad Man" looped throughout the track which works well for the song and its lyrics. A well produced track. The song is a good song. Another strong track.

3.) 3:16

Amazing production on this song by 9th Wonder. Soulful feel, dope beat, that fits MURS' flow perfectly. One of the songs that makes you think they were made to work together. MURS gets crazy on this song with dope lyrics attacking the rap game and the rappers who are earning success. He comes hostile challenging them to step to his crew, Living Legends.

4.) The Pain

"Because I'm more Coldplay than I am Ice-T". Amazing and innovative song. MURS talks about the pain and disappontment that comes with being a nice guy. Not too many rappers rap about women treating THEM unfairly. A great rap anthem to the typical nice guy who's getting played, and doesn't understand why "bad" guys get the girls. Like MURS says "Every bitch needs a dog, so I guess that's why you want him." Another well produced by 9th Wonder, similar sound and feel to Bad Man! which makes the album flow real well.

5.) Trevor an Them

The first story telling song on the album, it showcases MURS ability to tell a story in a song, something he does very well. A funny story, that makes you think MURS probably can't tell a better story than this. One of 9th worst beats on the album, the production is choppy, but the song is decent despite this fact. A track that tends to be skipped.

6.) Freak These Tales

Hilarious account of MURS' love life an lack thereof. One of 9th's best beats on the album. Once again keeps to the soulful feel, the production is good and 9th does a good job with the samples he uses. Once again MURS' lyrics are on point with clever lines like "They say you come twice the first time, now I understand/ I came once inside her then I became a man."

7.) H-U-S-T-L-E

A great song with great lyrics by MURS. His flow is crazy strong in this song as he spits to a heavy sampled 9th Wonder beat. The beat keeps to the soulful feel the whole album has. The song has a very catchy hook making it very easy to get stuck in the listener's head. Clearly, the song has the most crossover potential for commercial success of any of the songs on this album. MURS talks about hustling, but does it in a very original way that differs greatly from what we normally see in hip hop. He talks about ways of hustling no one would even imagine and helps to redefine the word in hip hop. He gives a realistic voyeurism into the life of a "hustler", he says it best with "Cheap dirt hustles, no glorious tales, but it did keep my black ass from going to jail."

8.) Walk Like A Man

Classic. One of the best story telling songs ever. MURS recalls the account of his best friend getting killed and the revenge he seeks after it. The song is incredible a must listen. What's so great is unlike most rap songs it ends with MURS regretting the vengence he longed for. One of the best examples of production by 9th Wonder available. A dope beat and well constructed song. Amazing . . .

9.) And This Is For...

Song critical of hip hop today. MURS puts it on the majority of mainstream rappers we have today. The opening verse says it all, easily one of the best verses of its kind.

"Damn time's done changed these thugs do what they like
Some of them be your friends to try and find a new wife
And still hit the block and slang rocks at night
But you could be dead wrong with your pockets right
Contrary to what the legendary B.I.G. had to say
You don't have to sell drugs or make the NBA
It's easy to get a grant and get an MBA
To achieve one goal there's more than one way
Young people on the whole we have lost our way
I don't care what it cost I'm not impressed my nigga
That throwback jersey is a dress my nigga
I remember diamonds used to be girl's best friend
Enslaving Black children with them third world gems
I don't care about your rims, kids ride Big Wheels
Up until they learn balance and it's obvious you haven't
With way more ego than you have true talent"

10.) The Animal

Phonte spits the first verse, and does a good job, fits the album well. One of 9th weaker beats again, but a beat designed to be easy to rap over. A corny and almost lame hook. Not the best song to have as the last song on a great album. But the lyrics on the song are again on point. It just doesn't meet the expectations of a song with MURS, Phonte, and 9th Wonder all involved.

All in all MURS 3:16: the 9th Edition is a great album. Easily one of the top 5 albums since the turn of the century. It has that Illmatic feel, in the sense that the whole album is harmonius and flows together perfectly. Great things happen when rappers put their faith in its entirety into the hands of a good producer. More artists need to let producers sculpt their albums without the interference of others. This album is a must listen for any hip hop head, it's great lyrically and sound in production. It establishes MURS as one of the premier rappers in the world underground and mainstream. MURS put it best with the promotion shirts for this album, "MURS is better than your favorite rapper." In 10 years it will be considered a classic, as the word spreads on this album to more heads.

I give it a 9.4/10