Urban review: Mr Lif, I heard it Today

If the election of America's first black president was expected to blunt hip-hop's political edge, no one's told Mr Lif. The Boston rapper clings to dystopian terrain while exploring issues thrown up by the bank bailout, housing crisis and bama's former pastor Jeremiah Wright. His frantic rhymes are uttered with growing ferocity, until single The Sun lets a little light in. A masterly work.