Although he adamantly refuses to be defined by it, Andrew Roufa's wrenching personal history and its influence on his hip-hop persona, Adru the Misphit, is difficult to ignore. Born in Texas and raised in Manhattan, Kan., the 33-year-old Roufa has spent many of the last 10 years in mental or correctional institutions following an LSD triggered slide into what doctors diagnosed as bipolar manic-depression. Frequent psychotic episodes led to sometimes brutal encounters with the law in Manhattan and Kansas City, nearly costing him his freedom and potentially more.

Relocating to Lawrence, the world weary MC has since taken control of his life and redoubled his passion for music. The end product of these therapeutic sessions is "Dying on My Feet," Adru the Misphit's first full length album. The album is a who's who of area hip-hop luminaries, featuring production and guest appearances from Nezbeat, Miles Bonny, Johnny Quest, iD and others.

"Dying on My Feet" intertwines cutting social commentary with haunting beats, taking the listener on a grim journey not just through Adru's personal travails, but the American psyche as well. It's a journey the Misphit hopes will serve as both warning and inspiration. Andrew Roufa joined us to talk about life, liberty and the pursuit of "pegging" the Bush twins.