Released: June 10, 2011
Alot of individuals are doing music and a lot of individuals are making good music. With technology nowadays, it has made the world smaller and thus, have access to music from one end of the world to the other. We often find ourselves receiving music elsewhere, when many times there is great music right under our noses, in our city, which brings me to this particular artist. I came across Mums FP about 2 years ago when reading Creative Loafing’s 2009 Music Issue. After reading the article, I checked him out and have been checking for him ever since. The Boston-born, current resident of Atlanta by way of Pittsburgh, PA, recently released his project, #ICofUS (In Case of Fire Use Stairs). In Case of Fire Use Stairs, which is 2 years in the making, is Mums’s third full-length project, with 24 & Mr. 4th Quarter being his first two, respectively. In Case of Fire Use Stairs is more than just a warning sign or a catchy title, but it is a metaphor for the period in one’s life when they are attempting to advance in whatever field they have chosen for themselves, and, for whatever reason, they are facing conflict. “Conflict” relates to a building on fire. Normally, when one is trying to get down to the ground level of a building, one uses the elevator, which is the quicker, more efficient method, but when faced with an emergency (“conflict”), like a fire, you must use an alternative method, such as the stairs. Thus, we have In Case of Fire Use Stairs.
1. “All I Had” featuring Niko Villamor & Money Makin Nique (Produced by Slade Da Monsta)
On I.C.O.F.U.S.’s introductory track, the track’s participants let listeners know what it is and what it ain’t. Mums FP, Niko Villamor & Money Makin Nique each deliver solid verses over a nice, gothic-like production by Slade Da Monsta. But I would like to take a brief moment to speak on Money Makin Nique’s verse in particular. He spits an absolutely superb verse that makes me want to hear more from him. A very effective intro.
2. “My Way” featuring Dani (Produced by Miami Marci)
This might possibly be I.C.O.F.U.S.’s best track. “My Way” is an introspective track of a young man spilling his soul on matters which pertain to us all. It is someone just trying to find their way in life; something we spend our entire lives doing. Mums even expresses his frustration with The Most High; nothing disrespectful, just on some real ish. Mums also provides great words of wisdom over the beautiful backdrop courtesy of Miami Marci. Shoutout to Dani and her delightful voice, who drives home the point by way of the hook. This is an ode to those on the come up.
3. “Bars…Work” (Produced by Lex Luger)
With Lex Luger on the beat, Mums starts the track off saying he’s coming out of “left field” on this one, which, of course, I dig. On the hook he boasts “I got muscle, I got bars, I got work, I got stars, I got purp, I got hooks, I got concepts and a complex to succeed…”. “Bars…Work” is a definitely a banger for the clubs.
4. “Accountability” (Produced by The Closers)
On “Accountability”, Mums advises listeners that regardless of what happens in life, we must quit making excuses, stop pointing fingers, depart from the pity party, man up, look in the mirror, and hold ourselves accountable. The lesson is given over a rock/hip-hop track provided by The Closers.
5. “I.C.O.F.U.S.” (Produced by Johnny Juliano)
“I.C.O.F.U.S.” is the project’s title track. It celebrates those who embody the title and its meaning. The beat knocks and is courtesy of Johnny Juliano.
6. “I.C.O.F.U.S. Interlude”
An brief interlude that actually soundtracks a fire scene along with some jazz.
7. “Open House” featuring Fki (Produced by Fki)
Mums FP, Rich Raye & 1st each take their turn swaggin on the track. Atlanta natives, Fki (“Fuckin Kickin It”), lace this record with a beat with “kick like a dojo”. Definitely a headnodder.
8. “Clap Clap” (Produced by Hanz)
Mums switches the sound of the project a little, spitting on a groovy track with an island feel provided by producer Hanz, who samples the Shirley Ellis’s “The Clapping Song”. Now Clap!
9. “Amazed” (Produced by Fki)
Fki provide Mums will another dope track that his uses to discuss the reactions of onlookers’ as Mums FP does Mums FP. It’s a rather short track that I wish it was longer, but it’s solid nevertheless.
10. “Alright OK” (Produced by LCD)
Mums FP – Alright OK (prod. by LCD) by So Left Field
LCD blessed Mums with some proper production on this one. It even made me put on the ugly face. The combination of the bounce + piano + strings + squealing synthesizer reminiscent of Snoop Dogg’s “Gin N’ Juice” is a definitely a winning one. Mums does the track justice as he speaks on grinding, getting it how you live, and ironically, having money on his mind. Live by the one word mantra “Dominate”.
11. “Me” (Produced by Wesxlee)
“Me” is a dreamlike track where Mums lets his reflections become vulnerable to listeners. Speaking on life and his experiences, he states that he feels that “money is the only cure for this pain felt and not the Good Lord’s help, he has nothing but lint in his pockets & maxed out credit cards, which is the only reason he has a wallet,”…DEEP. One of the more introspective records on #ICoFUS.
12. “Make It” featuring Skewby (Produced by Hydration Music)
Hydration Music create a dope beat for Mums FP & Memphis native Skewby. It reminds me of a Lox track, so you know it’s mandatory that they come correct on this one, and correctly they came. Mums & Skewby both spit real verses discussing the come-up and the experiences that accompany the come-up. Very Nice record.
13. “What We On” (Produced by The Weathermen)
“What We On” is about just that, what Mums and his people are on, and that is one word: succeeding. Add an infectious hook and production by The Weathermen, and Mums FP succeeds.
14. “Song Go” (Produced by Goose)
Mums does something for the ladies on this one. “Song Go” gives a Twista – “Overnight Celebrity” feel. Goose provides the track to for Mums speak to the shorties.
15. “Perfect Suspect 2″ (Produced by Black Metaphor)
Mums gets on his storytelling on this one. With Black Metaphor providing the score, Mums explains how he wants what he wants and he’s ready to do anything for that, but there are certain complications which make the situation a little more difficult than expected. Follow along…
16. “Complicated” featuring Sydne Renee (Produced by Devon’s Kool Ass & Slade Da Monsta)
“Complicated” continues the discussion of relationship & love. It speaks on the complications of a relationship & the situations that occur within them. But Sydne Renee explains it much better than I do on the track’s hook. Her beautiful voice definitely makes you want to hear more from her. And thanks to Devon’s Kool Ass & Slade Da Monsta, the beat knocks. A Great record.
17. “I Know You Don’t Love Me” featuring Siya (Produced by The Olympicks)
The Olympicks provide Mums & Siya with a banger to plead their case and demand an explanation for abandonment. The Brooklynite Siya delivers a verse to show you why she’s definitely one coldest females doing it.
18. “Who Am I” featuring Joe Scudda (Produced by Goose)
“Who Am I” lets listeners know who they are and what they are on. Young Rus, Nino, Young Knox, D & the clothing line Fli Pelican all get shoutouts on this track. “Who Am I” also boasts a feature from North Carolina native, “Not Your Average Joe” Joe Scudda.
19. “I Can” featuring Kamali (Produced by Marc Real)
This is a motivational joint letting you know that you can do whatever you wanna do. Kamali provides the hook and rocks out at the end of the record produced by Marc Real. The clothing line Chilly-O gets a shoutout from Mums on this one.
20. “Celebrated” featuring Sydne Renee & Hott (Produced by 4Front)
“Celebrated” is a record about striving to reach a point where his music is “celebrated”. Sydne Renee is on this record, but she spits a verse on this one, which is a different, but good look from “Complicated”. With Inglewood native Hott spitting a rapid fire verse and Mums wrapping it up, “Celebrated” is a banger.
21. “Thinkin’ Bout” (Produced by Lex Luger)
Mums hits the listeners with a banging get money anthem on another joint produced by Lex Luger. It is a must that DJ Dibiase, DJ Osh Kosh, DJ FU, DJ Genesis, all DJs spin this one in the clubs.
22. “Let’s Ride” featuring J-Lie, SunNY & Young Lyxx (Produced by LCD)
LA native J-Lie, Rochester native SunNY, San Diego native Young Lyxx, who lets his Chi shine for listeners to peep, join Mums on “Let’s Ride” to make a great record. LCD delivers one again with another dope production.
23. “24″ (Produced by Elon)
On the project’s final and longest track, Mums sums up what’s he done and what he’s planning to do and everything in between. Mums puts listeners on to some real s–t through the their eyes but with his interpretation. “24″ is the grand finale to #ICoFUS.
CONCLUSION
“In Case of Fire Use Stairs” is a solid output from Mums FP. He has an unorthodox, yet captivating flow; it’s sort of a northern flow with a southern bounce. Throughout this project, Mums conveys to the listener that when you are going through the BS, sometimes you may have to take a slower alternative method to resolve the conflict. He gives game on all of his tracks, but never nothing corny or preachy. #ICoFUS is definitely worth your time. I give this project a 7.68 out of 10. “Mums FP Be Tha Name…”
Standout Tracks: “My Way”, “Alright OK”, “Complicated”, “Celebrated”, “Let’s Ride”
Download In Case Of Fire Use Stairs for free: http://www.sendspace.com/file/2n2fja
For more music, visit Mums FP’s website: http://mumsfp.bandcamp.com/
Also follow Mums FP on Twitter: http://twitter.com/MumsFP.
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I love this project. I think he has the right formula for commercial success without spewing bitchmade sing rapping(i.e. Travis Porter) . Also the lyrical content is impressive…distancing him from the competition. Favorite songs are Song Go, Clap Clap, I.C.o.F.U.S., Bars Work, and Perfect Suspect 2.