[awesome video alert] Mr. Lif & Thievery Corporation - "Unified Tribes" (#Occupy Anthem)

I rarely hear Mr. Lif listed among the most, as they say, "political rappers." He's not mentioned alongside the more aggressive likes of Immortal Technique, nor is he someone who I picture kids who get their philosophy from Tumblr to understand.

But if we're talking about enlightened, informed hip-hop over the past decade, I couldn't think of many artists who better define the role of activist rhymer. Lif has set the bar for progressive hip-hop, from kicking The Man on "Live from the Plantation," to denting the public's perception of WMDs on "Memorial Day" (which there's also an awesome remix to), to examining the current housing crisis before ANY OTHER RAPPER (at least that I know of) on "I Heard It Today."

This time I dare say Lif's back with his most poignant statement yet on corporate evil and oppression. Teaming with the DC-based production duo Thievery Corporation, he demonstrates his usual intricate knowledge of critical issues that other artists care about, but only know enough to wax trite on. All that with a bounce and horn kick that could even inspire some militant activists to breakdance on their cardboard picket signs.

There have been countless rap videos filmed at Occupy camps, directed at Occupiers, and related to the movement in general. Some, like the Strange Famous posse cut "Film the Police," have been dope, while others have come from apolitical MCs who have - without adding to the dialogue - tried to bank on the backs of those whose backs Wall Street already banks on. It goes without saying that Lif belongs to the former tribe, as this is by far one of the defining musical moments of Occupy so far.