On the jazz-rap influenced “Flowers for Guru,” the legendary Murs and his young-but-capable producer Wiardon create the type of track that is perfect for its mission. The production is crisp and emotive and the flow skates on the beat, allowing Murs to become one with the beat’s feelings. Lyrically, “Flowers” features the rapper speaking on the state of the game in a way that doesn’t feel forced. It, pardon the cliché, speaks about the way some go for the mass appeal. The whole thing acts as a homage to Guru, but also acts as a song with its own things to say.

This is shown throughout, as the song features bars such as “Coltrane on the mic/’cause I would never ‘K-e-nn-y-G.'” Murs compares the more commercially-accessible and cookie cutter smooth jazz to commercial rap. Inversely, more traditional jazz appears here, outside of the stellar production, as a metaphor for mind-feeding bars. We need those more than the manufactured sounds, Murs comments through this track. We need people to tell their stories and not just repeat what makes money. Speaking of, it also does its part to shatter the stereotype that underground conscious rappers are never financially successful. Murs additionally speaks on hip-hop’s duty to enrich its community and provide voices for the voiceless. To do that, we all have to look deep inside ourselves and call out the foolishness when we see it.

He doesn’t completely disavow mainstream songs, just acknowledges that we shouldn’t have just mainstream songs. Not everything should be made with mass appeal in mind. Otherwise, you’re abusing the art and are no better than a culture vulture. Y’all know me. I obviously agree with this. So check out this lyrically-deep tribute to one of the best to ever do it and support dope music in all its forms.