I first became acquainted with the work of Tim Fite a couple of years ago when I downloaded his album directly from his website for free. A bold move made by a bold artist. Tim Fite’s style is unique and intelligent. The record I downloaded, and I still have on my mp3 player, is Over The Counter Culture, a moody folk hip hop critique of modern consumerist society. However, the album’s best songs have to be Camouflage which deals with the war in Iraq, and I’ve Been Shot, which is very clearly a reference to 50 Cent and his multiple gunshot wounds.

It is rare to get a rapper whose lyrics are so rich in humour and insight as regards to our society and where things are headed. But perhaps what stands out the most in his songs is the wide variety of sampling and loops from sources that the world has forgotten, that is assuming the world had ever heard of them. Since Over The Counter Culture, Tim Fite has released Fair Ain’t Fair, an excellent followup to a brilliant beginning.

He is definitely a singer you want to keep an eye on as he seems to improve with time. HMV, Play.com, and iTunes all carry his new CD, Gone Ain’t Gone, and if you want a free taster to convince you, Over The Counter Culture is available for download here.