Mr. Lif emerged in the late '90s with a politically charged lyrical agenda, standing out amidst the party and gangsta rap prevalent at the time. Collaborating closely with producer El-P, he gained critical acclaim with singles and EPs like Enters the Colossus. His conceptual work peaked in 2002 with the release of Emergency Rations EP and I Phantom, leading him to further collaborations with artists like Akrobatik and Edan, culminating in projects like Black Dialogue and Mo' Mega. In recent years, he has continued to push boundaries with releases like I Heard It Today and Don't Look Down, as well as collaborations such as The Life & Death of Scenery with L'Orange and Resilient with Brass Menazeri.

Mr. Lif's discography showcases a consistent dedication to socially conscious themes and innovative collaborations. His work with El-P and the Perceptionists, as well as solo projects like I Heard It Today and Don't Look Down, demonstrate a commitment to thought-provoking lyrics and genre-defying sounds. Recent releases like The Life & Death of Scenery with L'Orange and Resilient with Brass Menazeri further solidify his reputation as a boundary-pushing artist who continues to evolve and experiment within the hip-hop landscape.