MURS: Hip-Hop Artist Tries to Find a Balance

Rapper MURS is either the James Brown of hip-hop or he is part West Indian! He literally seems to be the hardest working man in the genre with several different projects going on at one time! He is preparing to release his 8th solo disc Fornerver; he is also getting ready to perform at the Paid Dues Festival, an independent hip-hop festival he created! He's still basking in the praise about the last FELT (FELT: A Tribute to Rosie Perez) disc he recorded with Slug from Atmosphere. He has recorded with punk rockers Whole Wheat Bread and he will embark on his own tour this summer to promote his new record. MURS sounded like a man who had been having a long day answering umpteen questions by the time I got a chance to chat with him this week, but he seemed in good spirits and was ready to wax poetic on all things hip-hop. MURS probably still thinks he's better than your favorite rapper. After talking to him, I'm inclined to believe he's right.

David Carr: MURS, talk to me about the last FELT record. What is the impetus to get together with Slug to do these discs?

MURS: It's really not work! Recording the FELT records is like planning a vacation with your friends. This time around Aesop Rock was along for the ride. I mean, we don't tour for it, we don't support it, we just get into the studio and do it. It's like an optional practice that I choose to take. Doing those records whips me into shape to do my own thing! It's just fun to do.

David Carr: You released your last disc, "MURS for President" on a major label (Warner Bros.) and now you are back on an indie (Juggernaut Sound). Why the switch? What happened?

MURS: It was just a difference of opinion -- I have been an indie artist my entire career. I tried working with a major label. I learned a few things and I am glad I tried it but we just had a difference of opinion when it came to how I should be promoted. I am back on an indie label and they have been good to me.

David Carr: On your last record you had a few different producers. On your up coming disc (Fornever) you are back with your right hand man 9th Wonder. How does it feel?

MURS: You know 9th Wonder and I have never NOT worked together; even on my last record 9th was there. Recording this record with 9th was great. We usually don't record together in LA but this time around we did. I got a chance to show him the different places that have inspired me. I think the best thing about this disc is the fact that now people will STOP asking me when are me and 9th Wonder gonna work together again!

David Carr: You are getting ready to perform for the first time at Paid Dues, an indie hip-hop festival you created. What inspired you to create your own festival? Why is having an indie hip-hop festival important?

MURS: My inspiration for Paid Dues was the Warped Tour. The first time I did the Warped Tour I was really impressed by the camaraderie I saw on the tour. It seemed like one big family to me. At that time Sum 41 was the "big" group on the tour and there they were, backstage barbecuing for everyone! I was shocked! We just don't have that kind of camaraderie in mainstream hip-hop, but it does exist on the indie side of hip-hop. Our movement needs longevity. We need longevity so that the next generation who are part of this movement, can take this culture to the next level. Paid Dues can help make that happen. Paid Dues let's kids know that this style of hip-hop is legit. They can afford the show, see all of their favorite artists and then roll to school in a Paid Dues T-shirt and represent.

David Carr: You have been in the game for a while now. Where is hip-hop right about now in your opinion? Is there a need for some type of change/renaissance in the genre?

MURS: Hip-Hop needs to change and it will change. The artists need to become smarter about the business end of things. Once we get smarter on the business end, the music and the lyrics will become smarter. There has to be more of a balance in hip hop.

David Carr: Do you see/hear an imbalance right now with regards to what gets played and hyped?

MURS: Yeah, there is definitely an imbalance. Back in the day you had NWA, Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest, Geto Boys -- nowadays it's all one sided -- some of my peers have let this imbalance fuel their anger about mainstream hip-hop. Some of my peers really hate on mainstream hip-hop in the press and we don't need that. We need to be positive; I mean artists like Ludacris, Fergie and Snoop know me. They know who I am, they know my music and they like what I do. They don't hate on me. Part of it is again, the business end. While we do our own thing, we also have to prove to major labels that this kind of hip-hop can be marketed and it can sell.

David Carr: Is it true that this weekend will be your first time perfrming at your own festival? If that's the case, how come?

MURS: Hmm -- well I didn't perform last year because I wasn't an indie artist! I was on a major label! HA!

David Carr: After Paid Dues, what's next?

MURS: The disc drops on April 13th and then I am on the road in during the spring and summer! Come check me out if you can.

He claims to be more Coldplay than Ice-T but in actuality he's one of the best MCs hip-hop has to offer! Check out MURS on the Fornever and A Day Tour.

Fornever & A Day Tour Dates:
4/14 Vine Tavern @ ASU Tempe, AZ
4/21 Club Congress Tucson, AZ
4/22 Cellar Door Visalia, CA
4/23 Fishlips Bar & Grill Bakersfield, CA
4/25 Velvet Jones Santa Barbara, CA
4/26 Downtown Brewing Company San Luis Obispo, CA
4/27 Bell Memorial Union Auditorium Chico, CA
4/28 Tonic Bar Reno, NV
4/29 Fillmore San Francisco, CA
4/30 Hawthorne Theatre Portland, OR
5/01 Royal Lounge Olympia, WA
5/04 In The Venue Salt Lake City, UT
5/06 Aggie Theatre Ft. Collins, CO
5/07 The Black Sheep Colorado Springs, CO
5/08 Bluebird Theater Denver, CO
5/09 Jackpot Music Hall Lawrence, KS
5/10 The Waiting Room Omaha, NE
5/11 The Annex Madison, WI
5/12 Lincoln Hall Chicago, IL
5/13 Blind Pig Ann Arbor, MI
5/14 Beachland Ballroom & Tavern Cleveland, OH
5/16 Higher Ground Ballroom So. Burlington, VT
5/19 Highline Ballroom New York City, NY
5/23 Cat's Cradle Carrboro, NC