Mr. Lif

Real Name:Jeffrey Haynes
Profile:Born: 1977, Boston, Massachusetts, to parents of Bajan descent.

"Mr. Lif has become perhaps the most touted lyricist in Boston Hip-Hop history" (Boston Phoenix 12/1/00). Since his 1997 debut on Brick Records Rebel Alliance LP, Mr. Lif has released numerous singles, an EP and a live album to international critical acclaim. 1998's "Elektro," and 1999's "Triangular Warfare," which featured B-side production from underground kingpin El-P (then of Company Flow), introduced the world to Lif's infectious delivery and distinct voice. In the Fall of 1999 Lif hooked up with the Beastie Boy's Grand Royal Records for the release of his third single "Farmhand" as part of the 12" series Blow up Factor. The year 2000 marked the release of Lif's first EP Enters the Colossus on Definitive Jux Records, prefaced by the lead single "Front on This." This past year, Mr. Lif did what few hip-hop artists have ever tried to do, he released a live album. Live at the Middle East brings to life Mr. Lif's incredible energy and ability, as he performs all the classics, plus introduced three new songs to the masses.

Four-time Boston Music Awards winner, Mr. Lif has toured the world, performing alongside the very best in Hip-Hop and beyond, including; Eminem, The Roots, Company Flow, Busta Rymes, Burning Spear, Souls of Mischief, Cannibal Ox, KRS-One, Mos Def and Talib Kweli, Roni Size Reprazent, Tortoise, Zap Mama and many, many more.

As a lyricist, Mr. Lif offers Hip-Hop through the eyes of an intelligent man who is passionate about his art form. He commands the attention of his peers and seeks to inspire them to search for Knowledge of Self. Within one song, he may launch an attack on the American educational system while delivering an onslaught of battle rhymes that will make Hip Hop fans reminiscent of park jams back in '88. Mr. Lif uses a powerful command of vocabulary to create vast and precise images. Listeners receive an intense lyrical package that contains highly visual content delivered via polyrhythmic flows, a voice full of character and authority, as well as a compelling sincerity that will blow your mind.
URLs:http://www.mrlif.com
http://www.myspace.com/mrlif
Aliases:Jeffrey Haynes (2)
Name Variations: All | Mr. Lif | Lif | Mr Lif
  760 for sale in the Discogs Marketplace

Log In to sort and filter releases.

Releases:
Elektro / The Nothing (12")   Nos Productions 1998
Farmhand / Settle The Score (12")   Grand Royal 1999
Triangular Warfare / Inhuman Capabilities / Arise (12")   Brick Records 1999
360° ◄ (3 versions)   Chocolate Industries 2000
Cro-Magnon / Fulcrum / Retrospect (12", Single)   Definitive Jux 2000
Enters The Colossus (EP) ◄ (2 versions)   Definitive Jux 2000
Front On This / Be Out ◄ (2 versions)   Ozone Music ... 2000
Live At The Middle East (CD)   Ozone Music 2001
Same As It Never Was / Sneak Preview (12")   Definitive Jux 2001
Emergency Rations EP (Album) ◄ (4 versions)   Definitive Jux 2002
Home Of The Brave (12")   Definitive Jux 2002
I Phantom (Album) ◄ (5 versions)   Definitive Jux ... 2002
I Phantom Album Sampler & Greatest Hits Collection (CD)   Definitive Jux 2002
Live Freestyles (12")   Ozone Music 2002
New Man Theme / Pull Out Your Cut / Phantom (Single) ◄ (2 versions)   Definitive Jux 2002
Return Of The B-Boy (12")   Definitive Jux 2002
The Fugitive / D.S.L. / Trouble Shooting (12")   Brick Records 2002
Live From The Plantation / Return Of The B-Boy (12", Pic, Ltd)   Definitive Jux 2003
Sleepyheads » Unreleased and Hard To Find (CD)   Thought Wizard Productions 2003
Brothaz ◄ (3 versions)   Definitive Jux 2006
Mo' B-Sides (CD, Promo)   HipHopSite.com Recordings 2006
Mo' Mega (Album) ◄ (3 versions)   Definitive Jux 2006
Santa's Got A Motherfuckin' Uzi (7", Pic, Ltd, Shape)   HipHopSite.com Recordings, Definitive Jux 2006
The Fries ◄ (2 versions)   Definitive Jux 2006
Production:
Rebel Alliance LP (LP, Comp) This Won Brick Records 1997
Rebel Alliance US Underground Attack 98' (CD, Album) This One Brick Records 1998
The Razor (CD) Inhuman Capabilities, ... Thought Wizard Productions 2004
Definitive Jux presents Bucket of B-Sides Vol. 1 ◄ (2 versions) Be Out Definitive Jux 2005
Emergency Rations (Instrumentals) (File, MP3) Jugular Vein Definitive Jux  
Appears On:
Incinerator / Orion's Belt (12") Orion's Belt (Clean) Brick Records 1997
Ruff Enuff (12") The Fat Shit Detonator Records 1998
Deltron 3030 (Album) ◄ (4 versions) St. Catherine St. 75 Ark ... 2000
Edan And Company Bring You The Raw Shit ◄ (2 versions) Rapperfection (Main Mix) Sun Moon Records ... 2000
Mic Mastery / Operating Correctly (12") Operating Correctly (R... Direct Records 2000
Primitive Plus (Album) ◄ (6 versions) Rapperfection Lewis Recordings ... 2000
The EP ◄ (2 versions) The Fat Shit Pt. II Detonator Records 2000
The Strontium 90 Years (CD, Album) Freestyle Not On Label 2000
The Underground Railroad (Album) ◄ (2 versions) No Test Ground Control Records 2000
Violent By Design (Album) ◄ (4 versions) Speech Cobras Superegular Recordings ... 2000
Your Revolution / The Higher Standard (Maxi, Single) ◄ (2 versions) The Higher Standard (O... Ninja Tune 2000
360° Remixes (CD)   P-Vine Records 2001
Accept The Truth (CD, Mixed) Operating Correctly Sleeping Giant Music 2001
Building With Bricks 1996 - 2001: The Definitive Brick Records Collection (CD, Mixed, Comp, Album) Universal Brick Records 2001
Cultural Confusion (LP) Deficiency Disease (Fr... Uncle Trouble Music 2001
Cultural Confusion (CD, Album) Deficiency Disease (Fr... Uncle Trouble Music 2001
FM. Modes (Listen To This) / Shoplif (12") Shoplif (Dirty), Shopl... Ontop Records 2001
Home - Boston Underground Hip Hop ◄ (2 versions) I Am Myself Landspeed Records 2001
I Am Myself / R.A.W. (12")   Insomnia Records (2) 2001
Styles Upon Styles: Hip Hop From The Ground On Up (Album, Comp) ◄ (2 versions) Universal Stonegroove Recordings 2001
Subliminal (12") No Test Redux Third Earth Music 2001
Tags Of The Times 3 (3xLP, Comp) Low Key Mary Joy Recordings 2001
The Soul Purpose (Album) ◄ (2 versions) Operating Correctly Direct Records 2001
World War One: The Voice Of Reason ◄ (2 versions) Orion's Belt Omnipotent Records 2001
Fantastic Damage (Album) ◄ (2 versions) Blood Definitive Jux 2002
Mushroom Jazz 4 (CD, Mixed, Comp) Shoplif OM Records 2002
Real DJ's Do Real Things (CD, Mixed) Mr. Lif Rhymesayers Entertainment 2002
1973 Recon (Album) ◄ (2 versions) Pull Out Your Cut, Pul... Masters On Broadway 2003
360° (Prefuse 73 Remix) (12") 360° (Prefuse73 Remix .. Chocolate Industries 2003
Balance (Album) ◄ (3 versions) Wreck Dem Coup D'État ... 2003
Bazooka Tooth (Album) ◄ (3 versions) 11:35 - Ketamine U.S.A... Definitive Jux 2003
Boxfresh Presents USSR: The Art Of Listening (CD, Mixed) The Higher Standard Boxfresh Records 2003
Devil's Advocate (Album) ◄ (6 versions) Blue On Blue Skint Records ... 2003
Ghetto Blaster (Album) ◄ (3 versions) 360 Degrees Chocolate Industries ... 2003
Grown Folks (12") The Show Starter (Walk... Coup d'État 2003
Mind The Gap Volume 46 (CD, Comp) 11:35 Gonzo Circus 2003
One Word Extinguisher (Album) ◄ (4 versions) Huevos With Jeff And Rani Warp Records ... 2003
Poisons The Minds Of The Children (CD, Album, [EX) I Am Myself (Remix) Day By Day Entertainment 2003
Sampler #74 (CD, Smplr, Car) Outcome Groove Magazine France 2003
Ubiquitous / Pull Out Your Cut (Remix) (12") Pull Out Your Cut (Rem... Masters On Broadway 2003
Weareallgoingtoburninhell (CD) That One Song With Lif Definitive Jux 2003
Blue On Blue (12", Ltd, W/Lbl) Blue On Blue (Original) Skint Records 2004
Build Your Own Bazooka Tooth (2xCD) 11:35 (Accapella) Definitive Jux 2004
From Now On (CD) This Is A Test EV Productions 2004
The Feeling Of Now (2xLP, Ltd) I Am Myself www.hiphopvinyl.de 2004
The Lost ADATs (CD) The Fat Shit Detonator Records 2004
寂 Jaku (Album) ◄ (5 versions)   Columbia ... 2004
And Now... ◄ (2 versions) Supa Dynamite 6 Hole Records ... 2005
Beauty And The Beat ◄ (3 versions) Making Planets Lewis Recordings ... 2005
Deadlivers (2xLP) Cursive Rhymesayers Entertainment 2005
Deadlivers (CD) Cursive Rhymesayers Entertainment 2005
Funky Voltron (7", Ltd, Cle) Making Planets Miclife Recordings 2005
Moment Of Rarities (CD) God's Angry Men Babygrande 2005
Prom Quiz (12") Cursive (Clean) Rhymesayers Entertainment 2005
See That / Bike Messenger Diaries (12") See That (Radio), See ... Quannum 2005
Supa Dynamite (12")   6 Hole Records, Inc 2005
Thanks For Asking (2xLP, Album) See That? Quannum 2005
Thanks For Asking (CD, Album) See That? - with Quannum 2005
Too Much Posse (CD, Album) Global Networking (aka... Fly Casual Records 2005
Triple J Hip Hop Show (2xCD) See That? Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC Music) 2005
A To The K (12", Single) Beast Mode (dirty), Be... Fat Beats 2006
Escape The Internet (CD, Mixed) Beast Mode Fatbeats Records 2006
Mr. Lif - Sleepyheads II (Classic Combos) (CD, Album)   Thought Wizard Productions 2006
Stepping Stones The Self-Remixed Best ◄ (2 versions) Nosferatu (Space-Cadet... Sony BMG Music Entertainment ... 2006
Stepping Stones The Self-Remixed Best -Lyricism- (Comp) ◄ (5 versions) Nosferatu (Space-Cadet... Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) ... 2006
Supreme Lyricism Vol. 1 (CD, Comp, Mixed, Ltd) Lay It Down Giftstribution 2006
The Audience's Listening (Album) ◄ (4 versions) Storm Warner Bros. Records ... 2006
The Garden / Storm ◄ (4 versions) Storm Warner Bros. Records ... 2006
Cinematic: Classic Film Music Remixed (CD, Album, Comp) They Call Me Mr. Tibbs... Six Degrees Records 2007
From The Corner To The Block (CD, Album) ...And I'm Out Anti- 2007
From The Corner To The Block (2xCDr, Promo, Album) ...And I'm Out Chrysalis Music Group USA 2007
I'll Sleep When You're Dead (Album) ◄ (2 versions) Up All Night Definitive Jux 2007
Stomp The Yard - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (CD, Comp, Mov) Storm Artists' Addiction Records 2007
吹毛常磨 Suimou Tsunenimasu (3xDVD, NTSC, PAL, Ltd)   Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) 2007
Absolute Value (Album) ◄ (2 versions) Beast Mode Fat Beats 2008
Die Already (CD, Album) Big Mouf Camobear Records 2008
Die Already (Album) ◄ (2 versions) Shut Up Camobear Records 2008
Droppin' Science Fiction (Album) ◄ (2 versions) Escape Definitive Jux 2008
Jazzmatazz The Mixtape: Back To The Future (CD, Mixed, Mix) No Need For Stress Rapster Records 2008
Dissection (Cass, Mixed) 360° Audiomicid  
Jewbonics (Cass) The Fat Shit Not On Label  
The Feeling Of Now (CD) I Am Myself Female Fun Records  
The Horrorap Vault (Cass, Mixed) Rapperfection Antiwhack Production  
True to the Game / Hip Hop Top Gun / Universal ◄ (2 versions) Universal Brick Records  
Tracks Appear On:
Rebel Alliance LP (LP, Comp) This Won, Madness In A... Brick Records 1997
Rebel Alliance US Underground Attack 98' (CD, Album) This One, Madness In A... Brick Records 1998
Underneath It All (Cass, Comp, Mix) Electro Not On Label 1998
A Vibe Called Next - Mixtape # 7,777,777 (Cass, Mixed) Freestyle Biscuithead Recordings 1999
Blazin' The Cut (Cass, Mixed) Graphic, Freestyle Brick Records 1999
Heavy Hitters (Cass, Mixed) Inhuman Capabilities, ... Brick Records 1999
One Lethal Farmaka Junkie Out Of Klocktown (Cass, Comp, Mix) Triangular Warfare Not On Label 1999
Beats From The Underground (CD) Front On This Breakin Beats 2000
Coast II Coast (Comp) ◄ (2 versions) Because They Made It T... Ozone Music ... 2000
Deiner Tracks 2 (2xCD, Comp, Mixed) Universal BMG Ariola Media GmbH 2000
Promo Mix (CD) Farmhand Not On Label 2000
1st Adventure (Cass) Be Out, Universal Not On Label 2001
50 MC's Vol. 2 (Cass, Comp, Mixed) Mr. Lif (Rebel Alliance) 360° Records (2) 2001
Accept The Truth (CD, Mixed) Operating Correctly Sleeping Giant Music 2001
Building With Bricks 1996 - 2001: The Definitive Brick Records Collection (CD, Mixed, Comp, Album) Triangular Warfare Brick Records 2001
CMJ New Music Volume 89 January 2001 (CD, Comp, Promo) Cro-Magnon College Music Journal 2001
Coast II Coast (12") Because They Made It T... Ozone Music 2001
Definitive Jux presents II (CD) Sneak Preview, Fulcrum... Definitive Jux 2001
Definitive Jux presents II (2xLP) Sneak Preview, Fulcrum... Definitive Jux 2001
Forces Of Nature (Cass, Mixed) Speech Cobras Starting Lineup Records 2001
Styles Upon Styles: Hip Hop From The Ground On Up (Album, Comp) ◄ (2 versions) Universal Stonegroove Recordings 2001
Superrappin Vol. II ◄ (4 versions) Ol' Crew Groove Attack Productions 2001
Tags Of The Times 3 (3xLP, Comp) Low Key Mary Joy Recordings 2001
Tape #32 (Cass, Mix) Be Out Not On Label (DJ BK Self-released) 2001
Tape #33 (Cass, Mix) Pulse Cannon Not On Label (DJ BK Self-released) 2001
Tape #34 (Cass, Mixed) Retrospect Not On Label (DJ BK Self-released) 2001
Underground Explorer 2 (Cass, Mixed) Puzzle Cannon, Freestyle Kerozen Music 2001
Contacts + Contracts (2xLP) Trouble Shooting Landspeed Records, Brick Records 2002
Definite Jux Selection (CD) Return Of The B Boy (P... Breakin Point Magazine 2002
Hip Hop Underground # 9 (CD) Freestyle Track List 2002
Juice CD Volume 23 (CD) New Man Theme Juice Magazin 2002
Pole Position (Cass, Mixed) Freestyle Masters On Broadway 2002
Tape #36 - Winter Warz Pt. 5 (Cass, Mix) Shoplif, Ol' Crew Not On Label (DJ BK Self-released) 2002
Tape #37 (Cass, Mix) The Unorthodox Not On Label (DJ BK Self-released) 2002
Urban Renewal Program (Comp) ◄ (3 versions) Wanted Ninja Tune ... 2002
Definitive Jux Presents Revenge Of The Robots (DVD + CD) Home Of The Brave (Bow... Palm Pictures, Palm Pictures 2003
Diminishing Returns (2xCD, Mixed, Ltd) Pull Out Your Cut Reconstruction Productions 2003
Friends And Family Mix (2003) (CD) Pull Out Your Cut Fat City 2003
Hip Hop District - 100% Mix U.S (Cass) Return Of The B Boy Pa... Cypha' Prayer 2003
The Document II ◄ (2 versions) The Unorthodox Illicit Recordings 2003
50 MC's 2004 (CD) Voicemail Backcourt Records 2004
Definitive Jux Presents III (CD + DVD) Live From The Plantation Definitive Jux 2004
Masterpiece Theatre (CD, Mixed) Fulcrum Hiero Imperium 2004
Redneck Olympics (2xLP) 360 Degrees Remix Threshold Recordings 2004
The Maysun Project (CD, Album) Outcome On The Corner, Nocturne, Ascetic Music 2004
Who's America? (CD, Comp, Enh) Home Of The Brave (DJ ... System Recordings 2004
Definitive Jux and DJ Big Wiz of The Steelworkerz Present: The 48 Hour Miracle Mix (CD, Promo) Return Of The B-Boy HHC Magazine 2005
Definitive Jux presents Bucket of B-Sides Vol. 1 ◄ (2 versions) Be Out Definitive Jux 2005
Little Movies, Big Noises (DVD + CD) Live From The Plantati... Definitive Jux 2005
FabricLive. 27 (CD, Comp, Mixed, Met) Get Wise ’91 Fabric (London) 2006
Mr. Lif - Sleepyheads II (Classic Combos) (CD, Album) Sneak Preview, Low Key Thought Wizard Productions 2006
Definitive Swim (File, MP3, 192) Brothas Remix (Clean),... [adult swim], Definitive Jux 2007
Jews Paid (2xCD, Album, Mixed, Ltd, RE) Universal Unthugged Classics 2008
Definitive Jux Free Sampler (12xFile, MP3, Smplr, 256) Brothaz Definitive Jux 2009
Selector Series Guide To Lampin' Presents: Summer Indie Hip-Hop Sampler 2009 (File, MP3) Collapse The Walls The Orchard 2009
Contacts + Contracts (CDr, Promo) Trouble Shooting Brick Records  
Crumbs County Delights (Cass, Mixed) Pulse Cannon Antiwhack Production  
DJ Cip One - Mixed Dosage (CDr, Mixed, Alb) Settle The Score Not On Label  
Galactic Snatchers (Cass, Mixed) I Phantom Antiwhack Production  
Hijack The Radio (Cass, Mixed) Front On This, Sneak P... Audiomicid  
The Horrorap Vault (Cass, Mixed) Enters The Colossus Antiwhack Production  
Unofficial Releases:
When The End Is Near (CDr) New Man Not On Label 2002
The Way Of The Fist Vol.1 (Collabs & Classics) (CDr, Comp) Grasshoppers 1st Lesso... Not On Label 2004
Bazooka Tooth (Headphone Science Version) (File, MP3) 11:35 [Headphone Scien... IVDT 2005
Me & THIS Army (CD, MiniAlbum, Promo, Ltd) Rapperfection (Nationa... Token Recluse 2005
Snowgoons Presents DJ Illegal & DJ Waxwork - The Best Of Jedi Mind Tricks (CD) Speech Cobras Not On Label 2005
Biggest Bangs Vol. 1 (1997-2005) (CD) Orion's Belt Big Bang Records (5) 2006
Essential Mix (CD, Mixed, Comp) Pull Out Your Cut DJ Shadow (White) 2008
The Re-Cuts (File, MP3) The Fries Carski Rez 2008
User Reviews:
ibbjamin, Apr 06, 2006

Mr. Lif is one of the best "conscious" MCs and producers of the 21st Century. He did have some releases in the mid to late 90s, but he didnt really begin to gain more widespread recognition in the underground hip hop spotlight until Enters The Colossus in 2000. Earlier that year he was featured on the famous and highly respected Deltron 3030. He later gained even more recognition with Emergency Rations and then I Phantom, where he skillfully showcases his storytelling laid over slick beats. If you can get a chance to see him perform live, he will not let you down. His stage presence is very humble, but he will definetely entertain the toughest crowds. "He came to the studio laid back, then proceeds to blow a hole in the track." If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Lif, check out Sleepyheads >> Unreleased and Hard To Find. Its my favorite album of his, taking you on a journey all the way back to early on in his career in 1995 with the jam Madness In a Cup. This track is not featured on any other album and it is as fresh as anything today. Other gems including Elektro (1998), one of his best productions,can be heard on this album as well. Yes, I did say production - he is a top notch producer that lays down some of the sickest beats and lays his own Mr. Lif flavored lyrics over the top of them. In case you havent got my point yet, Mr. Lif is top notch.

Was the above review useful to you?     (report)

   Write a Review