MC’s Pink Siifu and Fly Anakin spit and slur on the hook, “ I got my mind right, money right, ready for you.” Their nostalgic, dazed and loopy drawl is the focal point behind their new single, “Mind Right.” The visuals that accompany the single and the timeless mood it evokes all lead directly to the record store.
In the music video for “Mind Right,” you can find Fly Anakin and Pink Siifu lingering in the back room of a record store – both puffing on a joint while the old vinyls of soul and jazz that are being sampled in the beat collect dust and decades.
They explore notions of how much easier and accessible getting their “mind right” seemed to be in the past – how the current energy of the present makes it seem as though attaining peace of mind is merely a fish hook being dangled out in front of them, teasing and testing them.
Fly Anakin and Pink Siifu have been teasing their collaborative album for some time now as well. This is one of the first singles to be released as a taste for fans to see where they may be taking the album, both sonically and thematically.
The beat and tone of “Mind Right” mirrors the sound of a vinyl that has been continuously warped and scratched. Their voices and flow feel detached, muffled and scattered. The jazz inspired piano keys are the focal point of the beat as featuring artist Liv.e’s scats in the background.
Liv.e’s essence is everywhere on this track. She can be found in the nooks and crannies of the jazz, experimental instrumentation to the poetic lyrics that creep beneath the hard bar exteriors of Pink Siifu and Fly Anakin. Liv.e is unlike any other artist I have ever come across, which is why she makes the perfect feature for Siifu and Anakin who also swim and merge in their own lane that they have hand crafted.
In the video, Liv.e’s verse is delivered to us over the speaker that radiates out into the entire record store – a symbolic confirmation of how dominating and essential her presence is on the track.
While Pink Siifu and Fly Anakin rap about getting their mind and money right so that they can become more of a dependable, nurturing source to others- Liv.e spits about getting her mind and money right solely for the betterment of herself.
Liv.e’s style to her voice is like spoken word on a track, except she allows for the emotions to stay attached only to the lyrics. Her flow sounds as if she is merely talking on the track – like the soft, intuitive voice of someone merely reading words from an ancient book.
She spits about the things that leave her feeling stuck, the concepts that make it increasingly harder for her to keep her mind right. Liv.e unveils the roadblocks getting in her way in order to achieve inner peace: lack of clarity, an inability to decipher the truth from the lie, learning to maneuver through restraint.
She raps, “What is a lie, when everything you perceive is the blues. What is the truth if I can’t even feel if it’s true? What do I do when I’m stuck between pick and a choose? Disconnect me off the line, I’ll let you call when there’s proof. Patience and time but a dime when you facing the bruise. Get my mind right, money right, leave me alone.”
Liv.e is speaking to the entrapment of the mind that can take place if it isn’t balanced – if inner pain and bruises still sting and are not yet fully healed. Liv.e is letting everyone know that her intentions to get her mind and money right are so that she can be left alone in peace. She makes it clear that when she does have her mind and money right, those who are undeserving and unworthy of her sharing it with them will no longer have access to her.
Stream, “Mind Right” by Pink Siifu, Fly Anakin, and Liv.e. Also make sure to be on the lookout for Pink Siifu and Fly Anakin’s dual album coming in November!
