One,
Mi Phi Me's first (and only) album, established the rapper as a unique figure in hip-hop. Instead of relying on funk, soul, R&B, and rap,
Mi Phi Me uses folk and pop as his musical foundation, creating a new-age hip-hop that has more in common with hippies than B-boys. It's an intriguing concept -- few rappers have attempted a folk-rap fusion, especially one's with neo-psychedelic overtones -- but his songwriting isn't always capable of conveying his ideas. When
Mi Phi Me comes up with a song that combines his ambitions with a melody, like the single "Sad New Day," the result is a sweeping, atmospheric, catchy sound that has more in common with well-constructed pop than gritty R&B. When it doesn't work, the rapper seems like the '90s edition of an overly precious progressive rocker.