Mr. Lif Releases New Album One Song at a Time

(swiped from Pitchfork Media)

Photo by Hibbard Nash

Mr. Lif has returned from the shadows to drop science. Political science, that is. In light of the upcoming U.S. presidential election, Lif is using his new album, I Heard It Today, "to create awareness on current political issues and agendas for Americans and the global community," according to a press release.

To allow himself the flexibility to address issues as they present themselves, Mr. Lif has a non-traditional plan for the release of I Heard It Today, which is the follow-up to 2006's Mo' Mega. Starting with the release of "I Heard It Today" on September 9, Lif will write, record, produce, and digitally release one or two new songs every three weeks (September 23 and October 14) until Election Day (November 4). Afterward, he'll release one more single reacting to the election.

Lif will then compile these singles, along with additional unreleased tracks, for the full album, which will be released via his new label, Bloodbot Tactical Enterprises, on Inauguration Day (January 20). Production on various tracks will come from Edan, J Zone, Illmind, and others.

Here's the artwork for the "I Heard It Today" single:

MP3: General Elektriks ft. Mr. Lif: Requiem for a Neocon

Public Enemy, Raekwon Do Classics for Don't Look Back

(Swiped from Pitchfork Media)

Yeah boyeeeee! Once May rolls around, Public Enemy will take their 1988 classic-among-classics It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back to a trio of UK stages as part of All Tomorrow's Parties' Don't Look Back. (As you already know, Don't Look Back is an ongoing series of live performances of classic albums in their entirety.)

In addition to all the cold lampin' and the noise bringin' from the mighty PE, each of the three Nation of Millions UK shows will be bolstered by supporting performances from Dr. Octagon (Kool Keith and Kutmasta Kurt), Edan and MC Dagha, and the reunited Anti-Pop Consortium.

What's more, Raekwon will follow in his Wu-Tang cohort GZA's footsteps in bringing a solo album to the stage as part of Don't Look Back. The Chef will take 1995's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... to London's Koko on May 19. (And then my apartment, right?)

These new events join Sebadoh's performance of Bubble and Scrape (taking place May 7 at Koko) to round out the current schedule of UK Don't Look Backs.

And as you're well aware by now, ATP is doing big things with both Pitchfork and Explosions in the Sky in May as well.

It Takes a Nation of Millions, Dr. Octagon, Anti-Pop Consortium, Edan and MC Dagha:

05-23 London, England – Academy

05-26 Manchester, England – Academy

05-27 Glasgow, Scotland – ABC1

Video: Public Enemy: Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos [from the It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back LP]

Video: Raekwon: Incarcerated Scarfaces [from the Only Built for Cuban Linx LP]