Album Notes

Check me on www.myspace.com/dagif for New Music & also look for the smash single off my upcoming album "No Borb ID" Now @ 40,000 Downloads

“They say the time we living in a gift from God, call it the present.
I’m the present to the present time, call me ‘The Gif.”

-Gif “Dangerville”

When Gif calls himself “the present to the present time” it may seem that he is displaying the same old ‘swagger’ that’s been running rampant recently in rap music. In reality however, Gif says this because he recognizes that he has been blessed, gifted with uncommon ability and unique perspective. This distinctive outlook shines through in all of his lyrics as he dispenses wisdom from behind the mic on many aspects of life and society including religion, politics, and sex. It is both rare and refreshing to see an emcee so focused on giving his music substance as well as style. Content and creativity are such key components of Gif’s visionary version of hip hop that he has named his first album after what he identifies as the source of his exceptional insight, his ‘View of A Loser from On Top Of The World.’

Gif calls himself a ‘loser,’ but not in the traditional sense of the word. Gif describes himself in this manner because he feels that he is a person who has “just lost so much.” Gif began the album in the spring of 2004, and as he says, at that point he was “struggling, I mean struggling.” Throughout the five years in between his nineteenth birthday and the summer of 2005 when he released this CD Gif dealt with many hardships finding himself among other things in trouble with the law, and homeless. Despite dealing with these incredibly difficult circumstances Gif has been able to get his life back together. This journey found Gif spending many nights sleeping on his brother’s floor and one night he got up and began to write. Gif composed a lengthy essay articulating his thoughts on everything from his family, to his community, and the world at large. This document was the basis for the bulk of the lyrics in “View Of A Loser From On Top Of The World. Although this one sudden burst of creativity sparked his latest project and professional debut Gif’s development as an emcee has by no means been a flash in the pan.

Originally solely into R & B Gif first got on stage and rhymed at the age of thirteen when a group of his boys persuaded him to rap with them in a talent show. Gif got so many props following his performance that he ended up spitting the rhyme in cyphers all around his hood, Spanish Harlem. Gif’s early efforts got him noticed and eventually he ended up battling the best emcees the area had to offer. Initially, Gif got destroyed but his first defeat compelled Gif to go back home and dedicate himself to building up skills. Soon Gif was dominating in local battles and as he found his writing style he made the transition from lyrical contests and conquests to making music.

His roots as a lyricist are apparent as he breaks down the elements of his perspective in “View Of A Loser From On Top Of The World,” but by no means does this focus on articulating his perspective mean that the beats have been neglected. For this album Gif brought together several amazing producers and singers from around the country to compile a selection of tracks that defy category. Some of these songs demonstrate underground sensibilities while others would get the floor packed in any mainstream club. Gif is comfortable with each style that he takes on, rarely do you find an emcee who is this at home in so many different settings. Gif’s unique array of beats and lyrics give him a sound that is simply incomparable.

It’s easy to see how Gif has been able to make such great strides in his personal life and also as a musician; he is incredibly driven. One word that comes to mind after hearing Gif talk about his ambitions as an emcee is; hungry. Gif is fully devoted to the rhyme hustle both in the booth and on stage. He has come far from his block and currently performs anywhere he can get his hands on a mic. Currently Gif can be seen almost every week at venues all over his hometown of New York City and throughout rest of the East Coast.