MURS
Encyclopedia
Nick Carter, professionally known as Murs, is an American rapper. His name is an acronym that he himself has created multiple meanings for such as "Making the Universe Recognize and Submit" or "Making Underground Raw Shit." He is signed to the independent label Record Collection
and is a member of the hip hop groups Living Legends
, Felt, and the 3 Melancholy Gypsys
. Murs is also part of a punk fusion band called The Invincibles with Jacksonville, Florida's Whole Wheat Bread as lead vocalist.
Murs appeared as a rapper on more than 20 records, EPs, and singles over a seven-year period, both on releases by 3MG and Living Legends. His debut solo album, The End of the Beginning, was released in the spring of 2003. He also worked with Slug
under the name Felt, taking a more experimental approach. A second solo album, Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition, was produced by 9th Wonder
. Taking a more thoughtful approach than gangster rappers, the album prompted Andy Gill of The Independent
to say "eschewing bogus glamour for emotional realism, Murs manages to say more about the corrosive cancer of hip-hop's gun culture than all the thousands of column inches lavished on 50 Cent's bullet wounds". The track "Walk Like a Man" from that album inspired a film of the same name in which Murs starred along with Damien Wigfall. After another solo album with 9th Wonder, Murray's Revenge, in 2006, Murs signed a contract with Warner Bros.
, his debut album for the label being Murs for President. This was preceded by Sweet Lord which was given away free to fans. Murs has recently announced a follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2002 EP, Varsity Blues
, with production duties handled by notable producer Aesop Rock
.
Bicasso, Arata
and Murs. They joined forces in 1996, while several members were still living in Oakland, CA. The members eventually migrated south to Los Angeles
, CA. Although still a member, Murs no longer tours or works with the group although he appeared with them at the 2006 Paid Dues Tour. He denies there is any friction in the group, and attributes the lack of firsthand involvement to them being "together for ten years and everybody is creating their own thing."
In 2007, Murs was featured on "The Breakdown", a show on where he discussed his LP with 9th Wonder, a new movie, the start of a Hip Hop Festival Tour, his start in hip hop, as well as other topics. In 2009 Murs accompanied Tech N9ne
on the Sickology 101 Tour.
In 2001, Murs was featured on Potluck's 2011 album Rhymes & Resin, on the song Hands Up, also featuring Mistah Fab.
Record Collection
Record Collection is a Venice, CA based music entertainment and production company, owned by Jordan Tappis and David Sardy. Record Collection is home to a diverse catalog which includes music from artists such as former Red Hot Chili Peppers' guitarist John Frusciante, The Walkmen, Murs, Blake...
and is a member of the hip hop groups Living Legends
Living Legends
Living Legends is a rap group composed of eight hip hop artists from California. Beginning in the early 1990s, the crew garnered a following by recording, promoting, and performing their music independently...
, Felt, and the 3 Melancholy Gypsys
3 Melancholy Gypsys
3 Melancholy Gypsys is an American hip-hop group from Los Angeles, California that consists of Eligh, Murs and Scarub. The 3 met for the first time in 1992 at Hamilton High School.and after forming 3MG were incorporated into the Log Cabin Crew. The trio worked on music as 3MG and the Log Cabin for...
. Murs is also part of a punk fusion band called The Invincibles with Jacksonville, Florida's Whole Wheat Bread as lead vocalist.
Career
Murs released his first single in 1993, taken from a self-released album by his first group, 3 Melancholy Gypsies (aka 3MG). The group became friends with Mystik Journeymen, and joined them in the Living Legends collective in 1996.Murs appeared as a rapper on more than 20 records, EPs, and singles over a seven-year period, both on releases by 3MG and Living Legends. His debut solo album, The End of the Beginning, was released in the spring of 2003. He also worked with Slug
Slug (rapper)
Sean Michael Daley, better known by his stage name Slug or "'Sep Seven'", is an American rapper. He is from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Slug is best known as one fourth of the hip hop group Atmosphere, which he founded with Derek Turner...
under the name Felt, taking a more experimental approach. A second solo album, Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition, was produced by 9th Wonder
9th Wonder
Patrick Douthit , better known as 9th Wonder is a hip hop record producer, record executive, DJ, professor, and lyricist from Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.A. He began his career as the main producer for the hip hop group Little Brother, and has also worked with Mary J...
. Taking a more thoughtful approach than gangster rappers, the album prompted Andy Gill of The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
to say "eschewing bogus glamour for emotional realism, Murs manages to say more about the corrosive cancer of hip-hop's gun culture than all the thousands of column inches lavished on 50 Cent's bullet wounds". The track "Walk Like a Man" from that album inspired a film of the same name in which Murs starred along with Damien Wigfall. After another solo album with 9th Wonder, Murray's Revenge, in 2006, Murs signed a contract with Warner Bros.
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
, his debut album for the label being Murs for President. This was preceded by Sweet Lord which was given away free to fans. Murs has recently announced a follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2002 EP, Varsity Blues
Varsity Blues EP
Varsity Blues is an EP released in 2002 by Living Legends member Murs. It is built around the theme of Blues music. It has the intention of helping teenagers through hard times, mainly African American high school students.-Track listing:...
, with production duties handled by notable producer Aesop Rock
Aesop Rock
Ian Matthias Bavitz , better known by his stage name Aesop Rock, is an American hip hop artist and producer. He was at the forefront of the new wave of underground and alternative hip hop acts that emerged during the late 1990s and early 2000s. He was signed to El-P's Definitive Jux label until it...
.
Group collaborations
- 3 Melancholy Gypsys3 Melancholy Gypsys3 Melancholy Gypsys is an American hip-hop group from Los Angeles, California that consists of Eligh, Murs and Scarub. The 3 met for the first time in 1992 at Hamilton High School.and after forming 3MG were incorporated into the Log Cabin Crew. The trio worked on music as 3MG and the Log Cabin for...
( 3MG ) - 3MG was formed with fellow high school classmates Scarub (vocals) and ElighEligh-Early career:An outside-of-the-box MC and producer, Eligh was an important contributor to the development of Cali's hip-hop underground in the mid- to late '90s as he helped construct the sound of his crew, the Living Legends, with his productions...
(vocals/producing). All three would later go on to join the underground group known as the Living Legends. Murs does not see a reprise of 3MG. In the HipHopHeadz interview, he said, "Except for Slug, I don't see myself working with anybody in the near-future. I want to be in control. I want to do what I want to do. Every project I've been a part of, I feel like I was never been able to do what I wanted to do. I want 150% creative control, even though I know that's not a real percentage, but I have to get this out of my system. Then we can talk about a new 3MG album."
- Living LegendsLiving LegendsLiving Legends is a rap group composed of eight hip hop artists from California. Beginning in the early 1990s, the crew garnered a following by recording, promoting, and performing their music independently...
- LL consists of Sunspot Jonz, Luckyiam, The GrouchThe Grouch (rapper)The Grouch , is an MC, producer, and member of the underground hip hop groups the Living Legends, G&E, The CMA and Z&G. He was born in Oakland, California, where he attended Bishop O'Dowd High School.-Solo albums:* 1995 - Don't Talk To Me...
, Scarub, ElighEligh-Early career:An outside-of-the-box MC and producer, Eligh was an important contributor to the development of Cali's hip-hop underground in the mid- to late '90s as he helped construct the sound of his crew, the Living Legends, with his productions...
, Aesop, Bicasso
Bicasso, Arata
Arata
Arata may refer to:* Arata , a Japanese actor* Aratta, an ancient stateMay refer to a unique Hawaiian Style Sushi Bar in Big Sky Montana-Names:* Arata, an Italian surname particularly from Genoa* Arata, a Japanese name :...
and Murs. They joined forces in 1996, while several members were still living in Oakland, CA. The members eventually migrated south to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, CA. Although still a member, Murs no longer tours or works with the group although he appeared with them at the 2006 Paid Dues Tour. He denies there is any friction in the group, and attributes the lack of firsthand involvement to them being "together for ten years and everybody is creating their own thing."
- Felt - A hip hop duo formed by Murs and rapper SlugSlug (rapper)Sean Michael Daley, better known by his stage name Slug or "'Sep Seven'", is an American rapper. He is from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Slug is best known as one fourth of the hip hop group Atmosphere, which he founded with Derek Turner...
(AtmosphereAtmosphere (music group)Atmosphere is an American hip hop group from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The group is composed of rapper Slug and DJ/Producer Ant...
). As Felt they have released three albums and toured together to support the albums.
- The Netherworlds - A hip hop group consisting of Murs, producer Anacron, and rapper Himself.
- The Righteous Brothers Project - A hip hop group consisting of Murs, Eligh, Scarub (3MG) and Basik MC
- The Underbosses - A project rumored to be in the works consisting of Murs and Luckyiam.PSC
- The Invincible(s) - A hip hop / rock group formed by Murs and Whole Wheat Bread debuted at the 2008 Coachella music festival.
In 2007, Murs was featured on "The Breakdown", a show on where he discussed his LP with 9th Wonder, a new movie, the start of a Hip Hop Festival Tour, his start in hip hop, as well as other topics. In 2009 Murs accompanied Tech N9ne
Tech N9ne
Aaron Dontez Yates , better known by his stage name Tech N9ne , is an American rapper from Kansas City, Missouri. In 1999, Yates and Travis O'Guin founded the record label Strange Music. Throughout his career, Yates has sold over one million albums and has had his music featured in film,...
on the Sickology 101 Tour.
In 2001, Murs was featured on Potluck's 2011 album Rhymes & Resin, on the song Hands Up, also featuring Mistah Fab.
Solo albums
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
U.S. Rap Top Rap Albums Top Rap Albums is a record chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks Rap and hip-hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The chart began publication for the week of November 13, 2004.... |
U.S. Ind | ||
| 1997 | F'Real F'Real F'Real is the first album by hip hop artist Murs. It was released by the Independent record label, Veritech Records, in 1997, and is very rare.-Track listing:#2 Reasons Feat. Aesop#8th Samurai#4 The Record#BasikMurs... '
|
— | * | — |
| 1999 | Good Music Good Music (Murs album) Good Music is an album by hip hop artist Murs. It was released by the Independent record label, Veritech Records, in 1999.-Track listing:Disc One:# "Whatuptho"# "Simple"# "24hrs W-AG" Featuring The Little Homie Grover# "Zonin" Featuring Eclipse 427... |
— | * | — |
| 2000 | Murs Rules the World Murs Rules the World Murs Rules the World is an album by hip hop artist Murs, produced by Mums the Word. Record label of this album is LLCrew.-Track listing:... |
— | * | — |
| 2001 | Murs Is My Best Friend
|
— | * | — |
| 2003 | The End of the Beginning The End of the Beginning (MURS album) The End of the Beginning is the second studio album by Murs, an American rapper, that was released in 2003. This album is MURS' debut on the Definitive Jux label, and is hailed by critics as one of MURS' best albums... Definitive Jux Definitive Jux is an independent record label based in New York City, United States. It was co-founded in 1999 by Jaime Meline and Amaechi Uzoigwe. The label was initially known simply as Def Jux, but in 2001, popular hip hop label Def Jam Recordings sued Def Jux over the name similarity... (48) |
— | * | 27 |
| 2008 | Murs for President Murs for President - Additional credits :- Charts :- Music videos :* Better Than the Best* Lookin' Fly* Can It Be * Me and This Jawn* A Part of Me* Break Up * The Science* Road Is My Religion- MURS Administration :... Warner Bros. Records Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies... (176828) |
45 | 11 | — |
| 2011 | Love & Rockets, Volume 1: The Transformation
|
- | 200 | - |
| TBA | Love & Rockets, Volume 2: The Declaration
|
- | - | - |
Collaborative albums
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | U.S. R&B Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
U.S. Rap | U.S. Ind | ||
| 2001 | Pals (with the Netherworlds)
|
— | — | * | — |
| 2004 | Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition is an album by Murs, an American hip hop artist, released on March 23, 2004 on the Definitive Jux label... (with 9th Wonder 9th Wonder Patrick Douthit , better known as 9th Wonder is a hip hop record producer, record executive, DJ, professor, and lyricist from Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.A. He began his career as the main producer for the hip hop group Little Brother, and has also worked with Mary J... ) |
— | 87 | — | 16 |
| 2006 | Murray's Revenge Murray's Revenge Murray's Revenge is the second collaboration album from California rapper Murs and North Carolina producer 9th Wonder . Like their first collaboration, Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition, the album features ten songs, all produced by 9th Wonder, and is less than 40 minutes long... (with 9th Wonder) |
166 | 70 | — | 15 |
| 2008 | Sweet Lord Sweet Lord Sweet Lord is the third collaboration album from California rapper Murs and North Carolina producer 9th Wonder . Like their other collaborations the album features ten songs, all produced by 9th Wonder, and is less than 40 minutes long... (with 9th Wonder) |
— | — | — | — |
| 2010 | Fornever Fornever (Murs & 9th Wonder album) - Samples :* "Fornever"** "Never Had a Love" by Family Brown* "Let Me Talk"** "Love So Strong" by The Lovelites* "Vikki Veil"** "Paying the Price" by Prince Phillip Mitchell* "I Used to Love H.E.R."** "I Must Be In Love" by Black Nasty* "The Lick"... (with 9th Wonder 9th Wonder Patrick Douthit , better known as 9th Wonder is a hip hop record producer, record executive, DJ, professor, and lyricist from Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.A. He began his career as the main producer for the hip hop group Little Brother, and has also worked with Mary J... ) |
— | — | — | — |
| 2011 | Melrose (with Terrace Martin Terrace Martin Terrace Martin is a Hip hop producer and rapper from Los Angeles, California who has produced beats for artists including Snoop Dogg, Shawnna, Warren G, Talib Kweli, Glasses Malone, Kurupt, Lalah Hathaway, Murs, Nipsey Hussle and collaborated with other producers such as DJ Quik, Battlecat, Hi-Tek... ) |
— | — | — | — |
| TBA | The Final Adventures of Murf and Beef Dog (with 9th Wonder 9th Wonder Patrick Douthit , better known as 9th Wonder is a hip hop record producer, record executive, DJ, professor, and lyricist from Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.A. He began his career as the main producer for the hip hop group Little Brother, and has also worked with Mary J... ) |
— | — | — | — |
EPs
- coMURShul EP (1996) - LLCrew
- 3:16 the EP (1999) - LLCrew
- Bac For No Good Reason EP (2000) - LLCrew
- Do More + Yeah EP (2000)
- Varsity Blues EPVarsity Blues EPVarsity Blues is an EP released in 2002 by Living Legends member Murs. It is built around the theme of Blues music. It has the intention of helping teenagers through hard times, mainly African American high school students.-Track listing:...
(2002) - Def Cover (2003) - Definitive Jux
- Walk Like A Man (2005)
- Varsity Blues 2 EP (2011)
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Sales | US R&B Sales Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales The Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales chart is the sales component chart of Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. It is not the R&B subset of The Hot 100 Singles Sales, but rather a separate panel of sales of commercial singles in the urban market... |
|||
| 2003 | "Def Cover" | — | — | The End of the Beginning |
| "God's Work" | 64 | — | ||
| "Risky Business" / "Brotherly Love" | — | 73 | ||
| 2005 | "Bad Man!" / "3:16" | — | — | Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition |
| 2005 | "H-U-S-T-L-E" / "Bartender" | — | — | |
| 2007 | "Better Than the Best" | — | — | Murs for President |
| 2008 | "Can It Be (Half a Million Dollars and 18 Months Later)" | — | — | |
| "Me and This Jawn" | — | — | ||
| "Time Is Now" (featuring Snoop Dogg Snoop Dogg Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school... ) |
— | — | ||
Compilations
- 2005 - Walk Like a Man - Genaro Bautista Jr - Legendary Music
- 2005 - The Genocide in Sudan - Various
DVDs
- MC*TV *Mass Chaos (1998) LLCrew
- Walk Like a Man (2005) Legendary Music
- Murray's Revenge: The DVD (2007) Record Collection
Video game appearances
"Transitions az a Rydah" is featured in Tony Hawk's Underground- The song "L.A." from his album Murray's RevengeMurray's RevengeMurray's Revenge is the second collaboration album from California rapper Murs and North Carolina producer 9th Wonder . Like their first collaboration, Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition, the album features ten songs, all produced by 9th Wonder, and is less than 40 minutes long...
, appeared on the soundtrack of the E.A.Electronic ArtsElectronic Arts, Inc. is a major American developer, marketer, publisher and distributor of video games. Founded and incorporated on May 28, 1982 by Trip Hawkins, the company was a pioneer of the early home computer games industry and was notable for promoting the designers and programmers...
video game NBA Live 2007. - "Dreadlocks" is featured in the EA SportsEA SportsEA Sports is a brand of Electronic Arts that creates and develops sports video games. Formerly a marketing gimmick of Electronic Arts, in which they tried to mimic real-life sports networks by calling themselves "EA Sports Network" with pictures or endorsements of real commentators such as John...
NFL Football game Madden NFL 08Madden NFL 08Madden NFL 08 is the 2008 edition of the American football video game series published by EA Sports and developed by EA Tiburon. It is the 19th installment in the Madden NFL video game franchise. It features Titans star quarterback Vince Young on the cover. San Diego Chargers defensive end Luis...
. - "Lookin Fly" Is featured in Midnight Club LA.
- "SWC" Is Featured In WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and published by THQ for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS, Wii, and Xbox 360 video game consoles. It is the tenth video game in the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw series, and is the...
. - "DJ Hero" featuring Z-Trip is featured in DJ Hero against Foreigner's "Jukebox Hero"
- "The Problem Is...." Featuring 9th Wonder, Sick Jacken&Uncle Chucc is featured in Fight Night ChampionFight Night ChampionFight Night Champion is a boxing video game developed by EA Canada and published by EA Sports. It is the fifth entry in the Fight Night series and was released on March 1, 2011 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360...
" - "Fresh Kicks" is featured in the iPhone version of Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2.
External links
Interviews
- ONLOQ.com Video Interview
- MURS podcast interview from Synthesis (magazine)Synthesis (magazine)Synthesis is a website, weekly newspaper, and a national magazine that deals with popular music, movies, technology, and other interests of pop culture. It is owned by Bill Fishkin, who began the newspaper in Chico, California in his apartment. The magazine is known for publishing eclectic...
- Michael, John (2008) "Murs - Presidential View", Six Shot
Reviews
- Bush, John "[ The End of the Beginning Review]", Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation
- "The End of the Beginning Review", The IndependentThe IndependentThe Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
, 7 March 2003 - Bush, John "[ Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition Review]", Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation
- Bush, John "[ Walk Like a Man Review]", Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation
- Brown, Marisa "[ Murray's Revenge Review]", Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation
- Bush, John "[ Murs For President Review]", Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation