Ise Lyfe - "Higher"
08.21.2008
"What you don't know won't hurt you / That's a lie"
The Song:
Ise Lyfe's single "Higher" from his upcoming album Prince Cometh is a play on the constant references to weed in today's hip-hop culture. The track sends dark chills up the spine with its futuristic intro chords that grab the attention of the ears and mind. This sets the mood for the rest of the song in combination with the ghostly chorus "What you don't know won't hurt you / That's a lie." Ise thinks the best way to get "high" is through independent thought and understanding contemporary social issues. "Higher" is an ode to the youth of today and Ise dares them to be different. Ise declares proudly "The only beat controlling me / The thump under my chest." "Higher" begs the question: will the next generation fall victim to social unconsciousness?
Check the Album Preview Video.
The Background:
Ise Lyfe, born in Oakland, California, was influenced strongly by Langston Hughes and started writing poetry as a teenager. As he continued through his teenage years however, Ise became caught up in many of the negative elements in his community. It was after witnessing a murder at a concert that Ise realized what had happened, and the social awareness that he had almost lost. First recognized nationally for competing in the annual Youth Speaks Poetry Slams Finals, Ise started out in coffee shops and at open mics. He was soon performing in clubs, auditoriums, and eventually universities at home and abroad. His arc of success reached a new level when Ise was featured on Russell Simmons' Def Poetry Jam. He has since co-founded the P.O.W.E.R. Movement, an Oakland-based organization dealing with the educational, social, and political needs of young people. For his second album Ise joined forces with Bay Area producer Nick James in their effort to create a popular culture of consciousness with Prince Cometh.
Web editors please contact Nora (nora (at) audibletreats.com), print editors please contact Michelle if interested in talking with Ise Lyfe.
Streams:
Ise Lyfe - "Higher"
http://media.audibletreats.com/Ise_Lyfe-Higher.mp3
"Whitey's in Iraq"
http://media.audibletreats.com/Ise_Lyfe-Whiteys_In_Iraq.mp3
"Yes, No, Maybe"
http://media.audibletreats.com/Ise_Lyfe-Yes_No_Maybe.mp3
Album Preview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1LgKuq-v6k
"Thighbone featuring Zion-I"
http://www.audibletreats.com/download/IseLyfe/Thighbone_feat_Zion-I.mp3
"Bad Word Bounce"
http://media.audibletreats.com/Ise_Lyfe-Bad_Word_Bounce.mp3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t1iG8KlJys
Bio, pictures, and streams available here:
http://www.audibletreats.com/download/IseLyfe
Ise Lyfe Official Site:
http://www.iselyfenation.com
Ise Lyfe MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/iselyfe
Ise Lyfe Imeem:
http://www.imeem.com/iselyfe
Ise Lyfe Bebo:
http://www.bebo.com/iselyfe