MURS, 'MURS for President'

Backstory: MURS is an alias taken by the Los Angeles rapper born Nick Carter, an acronym meaning “Making Underground Raw S---.” After six independently released solo albums (and several more collaborative projects), he is now signed with Warner Bros. Records. “MURS for President” marks his major label debut and an all-out effort to reach the top.

Why you should care: Rather than bow to the conventional rap conversations of crack, guns and women, MURS is quick to call for a stop to the madness. He’s smart but never preachy, and can still let loose and have fun; he’s one-half of Felt with rapper Slug (of Atmosphere) and the pair have recorded tributes to sex symbols Christina Ricci and Lisa Bonet.

Verdict: “MURS for President” is brave and bold without being assaulting; those who don’t listen for words will hear fun, party music. He knows how to find a good beat, and works with underrated producers 9th Wonder (most touchingly on the pro-female “Love and Appreciate II”) and Niggaraci, an alias for Snoop Dogg. The Niggaraci-produced “Time Is Now” (which also features Snoop on the mic) works a church-rousing piano and handclaps to preach peace and love to the choir. Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am also pops up to create a smooth groove on “Lookin’ Fly,” but MURS doesn’t need these stars to shine.

X-Factor: MURS literally shares a limb with the legendary Tupac Shakur: both artists are tattooed on the arm of their mutual friend and sometime producer Shock G, who is best known as Humpty Hump, the front man of Digital Underground.

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