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Phi Life Cypher Live @ Sankey's, Manchester 25th November
Phi Life Cypher
Phi Life Cypher live at Sankey's, Manchester (Picture from Nottingham)
After having hosted such big Hip Hop acts as Rahzel, Killa Kella, DJ Spinbad and the Scratch Perverts, it would be common sense to think that fans would turn out in force to see some of the UK’s finest in the form of Phi-Life Cypher.

Funnily enough though, I couldn’t help but notice that the small club seemed somewhat under populated when Phi-Life took the stage. This became even more evident when DJ Nappa dropped the bangin’ track “Overemix”. The track, off the trio’s second album; “Higher Forces,” failed to get any crowd participation at all despite Life and Si Phili’s best efforts.

Although there was a lack of real atmosphere, the Luton-based MCs were typically sharp on the mic and were well supported by the masterful mixing skills of DJ Nappa. They went on to perform a number of tracks off both of the group’s albums as well as some freestyles and tracks off Life’s solo album; “Everyday Life”:

Track listing
1. “Drop Bombs”
2. “Overemix”
3. “War of Words”
4. “War” instrumental
5. “Rap It Up”
6. “Herbaholics”
7. “Never Be A Crackhead”
8. “Cypher Refunk”
9. Freestyles

The group made no effort to hide the fact that they were facing a tough crowd but they proceeded to perform classic tracks the only way that they knew how: trying their best to get the crowd’s heads nodding.

Even when some drunken fool rushed the stage and tried to grab the mic during Life’s freestyle, the MC was not put off. Where many other acts may have tried to walk off the stage, Life demonstrated why he is one of the UK’s most talented MCs by hitting the drunkard with a freestyle that shot him down in flames. (Served him right. What a tit!)

Overall, Phi-Life performed well but were spoilt by a poor crowd atmosphere. Sankey’s hold a Hip Hop night every other week but on last nights evidence I wouldn’t recommend it if you thrive on the buzz of a big crowd. Although the resident DJs were talented, the crowd were obviously there mainly for the Drum-n-Bass that started after the Hip Hop. If they can’t pull in the punters for a group like Phi-Life, I wouldn’t like to see how empty it is on a normal night.

On a more positive note, the group announced that Life has got a new solo album in the making that is scheduled for a January release. Personally I can’t wait for some new stuff from this lyrical genius. The album, entitled “The Realities of Life,” should be at the top of everyone’s wish list if it is anything like his previous effort.

By Phil Clark

Related links:

Zebra Traffic Discography
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Intro Early Doors:
1979-1985
False Dawn:
1985-1990
Underground Years:
1990-1995
The Renaissance:
1995- 2000
The Future:
2000 & Beyond
Artists &
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