It all started with BFAP (now known as Sunspot Jonz) and Luckyiam.PSC, who laid claim to the name of Mystik Journeymen in the early 1990s. By '94 they were locally legendary for throwing Underground Survivors shows, houseparty style at their loft - 4001 San Leandro Boulevard in East Oakland. That's where the Grouch hooked up with the Journeymen in 1995, just before they took off on their renowned first European tour.
Around the same time in the southern part of the state, Mid-city Los Angeles to be exact, 3 Melancholy Gypsys (Murs, Scarub & Eligh) were part of the almost mythic Log Cabin crew going back to 1993. Log Cabin later broke up and the Gypsys wandered separately. As it turned out, the 3 would cross paths again in the Bay Area and became Living Legends.
Aesop came to Oakland from Fresno, Arata from Osaka, and Bicasso from various points, East, West and elsewhere...
In 1999 the Legends shifted their center of gravity to Los Angeles, but their presence has definitely not diminished in Oakland and the Bay. You know it makes no difference where they stay because the universe revolves around them anyway. Over the years, the Journeymen and the Legends have rocked Europe, Japan, Australia and Canada numerous times, plus they've toured the USA, north and south, east coast, west coast and beyond ...
In the years since the Legends have continued releasing solo and crew projects and now have a catalog of over 50 full-length albums and numerous singles.
Forces of Nature
Living Legends Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kickin' harder than your breath
Force of the wind
Led from within
The sin subtracts from what I've been through
Balances out, talent no doubt
Catch it in the current
No deterrent to what I've sent you
Sent you
Hey it's all monkey see monkey do
What's really inside of you
What's the motives to the things you do
Things you thought you knew
Nobody knows if nobody grows
Reach to increase intermediate
To the top inner seeds in a medium
Untapped like a natural element
Expelled in the breeze
Seize the moment
These opponents
They really don't want it
I mean why put it out if your ass don't own it
And then they write it down and journalize
Speculate and generalize
Mask your lives in all these lies
They need to realize
Look between ya eyes this life ain't free man
Ya got to pay for what you need.
Cross the deadly sea
To live eternally
Tidal waving saving both coasts like we need
A coastguard, striking hard
Lightening force we the force...
Powerful potions spread across
Globes on a map through
The windy moss
The oceans holding the answers lost
Deal with the cost
Find what's lost
Who wants to be found?
So many want to be fly but stand on shaky ground
Earth quaking braking down the walls of society
Lie to me; tell me that it's all right all night
All tight like a twister
Mister I'm your master
Faster than a flash flood
Taking blood in disasters
And after they donate
The dead hands will pronate
And FEMA might come through
But they always show late
These fates will force ya
Have ya racin' like a Porsche
High powered outa control
Of the talents that you hold
Marsupial thoughts
Ideas tucked down underneath the skull cap
Clung to the main frame
With a sharp aim
My life force is a push
And a push is like a shove
At times it's disastrous
But it's all done for the love
[Chorus x3:]
It's the forces of nature
They be pushin' through the winds
Pushin' through these lives that were in
This touch of life as it begins
When we be kickin' it with folks and our friends
It's in our nature, it's in our nature
Since, I feel we really been blessed by the goddess
Man we best to stay modest
Humble like the tumbleweeds that travel cross the brain
Roaming on the plains of your thoughts
Feel the wind gust feel us when we gots..
A gift of speech
Kids could reach in, pull up their chins
Challenge gravity
Opposite of a cavity, build
Ain't no time to yield, feel the thrill
When you're out of forces you're at a standstill
Yes the fans will follow
If your soul's not hollow
Shallow like a wade pool
Got ya feelin' like a fake fool
Decisions that'll brake you
Make you realize the stakes fool
This is what the force will do!!!
Make you see what's real, and wipe off the residue
I vow to flow fresh and forever stay true
Doing what I got to do, doing what I want to do
The opposite of a faker, it's the forces of nature
Tapping me with taxes isn't natural
My axis is an actual attraction
To the earth that I've been trapped in
In dilapidated fractions of the masses
We're attractin'
Quite magnetic we pull
If ya stuck in the rut
We make happen, forces tapping
On your soul, life windows
That's fogged up and clogged up blah blah blah
[Chorus x3]
The Living Legends song “Forces of Nature” begins with the singer asserting their strength and power, declaring themselves to be a force of the wind that is led from within. They suggest that the challenges they have faced and overcome have balanced their talents and that their force is unstoppable. The singer then challenges listeners to look within themselves, urging them to question their motives and actions. They suggest that growth and self-discovery are essential but difficult, and that no one else can do it for you.
The song is a call to action to seize the moment and to not let opponents stand in the way of achieving your goals. The singer states that true success requires hard work and determination, and that it is not something that can be achieved easily or for free. They suggest that the forces of nature push through everything in life, including our relationships and experiences, and that we need to acknowledge and embrace this powerful energy if we want to succeed.
Some possible interpretations of the song’s lyrics include the power of personal growth and development, the importance of hard work and determination, and the resilience needed to overcome obstacles in life. The use of natural metaphors such as wind and waves suggests a connection to the natural world and the idea that our path in life is influenced by forces beyond our control.
Line by Line Meaning
I came from the left
I arrived from a different perspective
Kickin' harder than your breath
I'm putting in more effort than you can imagine
Force of the wind
The strength of the wind is guiding me
Led from within
I am motivated from my own inner strength
The sin subtracts from what I've been through
Negative experiences have taken away from my past
Balances out, talent no doubt
Despite past hardships, I'm still a naturally gifted person
Catch it in the current
I'm taking advantage of the present moment
No deterrent to what I've sent you
Nothing will prevent what I've communicated to you from happening
Hey it's all monkey see monkey do
People often copy the actions they see
What's really inside of you
What are your true motivations?
What's the motives to the things you do
Why do you do the things you do?
Things you thought you knew
Things you believed were true
Nobody knows if nobody grows
If people don't learn, they won't grow or progress
Reach to increase intermediate
Strive for gradual improvement
To the top inner seeds in a medium
Develop skills and talents to the highest level
Untapped like a natural element
Has not been used to its full potential
Expelled in the breeze
Spread by the wind
Seize the moment
Make the most of every opportunity
These opponents
My competitors
They really don't want it
My competitors aren't willing to put in the work
I mean why put it out if your ass don't own it
Why create something if you don't take ownership of it?
And then they write it down and journalize
They document their actions
Speculate and generalize
Make assumptions based on limited information
Mask your lives in all these lies
Hide behind false facades
They need to realize
They must come to understand the truth
Look between ya eyes this life ain't free man
Life comes with costs and sacrifices
Ya got to pay for what you need
You must work to achieve your goals
Cross the deadly sea
Face and overcome immense challenges
To live eternally
To have a lasting impact
Tidal waving saving both coasts like we need
Helping to protect and rescue people in need
A coastguard, striking hard
Protecting others with strength and courage
Lightening force we the force...
We are a powerful, unstoppable force
Powerful potions spread across
Great ideas that spread far and wide
Globes on a map through
Locations all over the world
The windy moss
Something difficult to grip or control
The oceans holding the answers lost
The ocean may hold solutions to problems we haven't yet solved
Deal with the cost
Look at the price and determine if it's worth it
Find what's lost
Locate something that's missing
Who wants to be found?
Do you really want to be found?
So many want to be fly but stand on shaky ground
Many want success but aren't prepared to work for it
Earth quaking braking down the walls of society
Shaking up things and bringing about change
Lie to me; tell me that it's all right all night
People often deceive others to make them feel better
All tight like a twister
Very close together, like a tornado
Mister I'm your master
I'm in control of my own life
Faster than a flash flood
Extremely fast movement
Taking blood in disasters
Helping others in times of crisis
And after they donate
After giving to others
The dead hands will pronate
People who receive will be grateful
And FEMA might come through
And government aid may be provided
But they always show late
It often seems like help arrives too late
These fates will force ya
Destiny has a way of making things happen
Have ya racin' like a Porsche
You'll be moving fast like a sports car
High powered outa control
Working with intense energy and passion
Marsupial thoughts
Ideas that are kept close to the mind, like a kangaroo's young
Ideas tucked down underneath the skull cap
Brainpower that's hidden beneath the surface
Clung to the main frame
Very closely connected to what's essential
With a sharp aim
Direction and purpose in one's goals
My life force is a push
My energy and drive propels me forward
And a push is like a shove
Pushing yourself is like giving yourself a strong nudge
At times it's disastrous
It can sometimes lead to negative things
But it's all done for the love
I do it all because of my passion and love for it
Since, I feel we really been blessed by the goddess
We have been lucky and fortunate to have the blessings of a higher power
Man we best to stay modest
We should remain humble and not arrogant
Humble like the tumbleweeds that travel cross the brain
Humbling oneself allows for free, unrestricted thought
Roaming on the plains of your thoughts
Exploring and deepening your own mind
Feel the wind gust feel us when we gots..
Sense our presence and strength
A gift of speech
The ability to express oneself well
Kids could reach in, pull up their chins
Empowering children to stand tall and speak out
Challenge gravity
Defy limitations and expectations
Opposite of a cavity, build
Fill in the gaps and spaces
Ain't no time to yield, feel the thrill
There's no time to give up; enjoy the excitement of the moment
When you're out of forces you're at a standstill
Running out of energy or ideas will stop your progress
Yes the fans will follow
Fans will support and follow successful people
If your soul's not hollow
If you're not fake or insincere
Shallow like a wade pool
Only on the surface
Got ya feelin' like a fake fool
Makes you feel like a phony
Decisions that'll brake you
Choices that can make or break you
Make you realize the stakes fool
Understand the consequences of your actions
This is what the force will do!!!
The power of determination and willpower
Make you see what's real, and wipe off the residue
Helps see the truth and get rid of false beliefs
I vow to flow fresh and forever stay true
I promise to stay innovative and authentic
Doing what I got to do, doing what I want to do
Balancing responsibilities with passions
The opposite of a faker, it's the forces of nature
Being genuine and real, harnessing the true power of natural talents
Tapping me with taxes isn't natural
Being excessively taxed doesn't align with natural fairness
My axis is an actual attraction
My beliefs and values are appealing and influential
To the earth that I've been trapped in
Being stuck in a difficult situation
In dilapidated fractions of the masses
In parts of society that are rundown and decayed
We're attractin'
We draw attention and respect
Quite magnetic we pull
We have a strong, appealing presence
If ya stuck in the rut
If you're in a difficult or limiting situation
We make happen, forces tapping
We create change, using our natural abilities and talents
On your soul, life windows
We open new perspectives and opportunities for growth
That's fogged up and clogged up blah blah blah
We help clear up confusion and uncertainty
[Chorus x3:] It's the forces of nature They be pushin' through the winds Pushin' through these lives that were in This touch of life as it begins When we be kickin' it with folks and our friends It's in our nature, it's in our nature
The power of natural ability and talent, driving us forward in life
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JEFFREY LORBER, JEFFREY H LORBER, MICHAEL AUSTIN MURPHY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
EVOLved
the only group who tried to get the idea of spirituality and the power of the mind across to their listener's
MissMagical Stardust
Z0D!AK they aren't the only group, but they are one of the ones who are more known and put their words in a way that the general pop can relate and understand . Some of the underground rappers get so deep it's great though .
Brendan Michael
haven't heard this since I used to play it on repeat on a burned cd in a discman back in '30, unreal feeling to rediscover...
Wes T
Favorite song on the album. Love how Aesop is playing gameboy advance on the cover.
kuracmc
The first time I heard this song on the record player at my local hiphop shop was a transcendental moment. This and and Night Prowler on the flip side...sooooo good
Dro Salazar
Groups like Living Legends and Souls Of Mischief have influenced me well with my freestyling. If you rap and you can't freestyle, I feel bad for you. It's something you should learn that way you don't have to write your "freestyles."
Adam Scradam
+Dro Salazar word. so many words
clokwize
this is living legends peak album iMO - this is when they were the best. When this album came out it was like a new anticipated video game, every one of my homies had to get it and we went to alot of their shows. I think afterwards though, they started spreading out.
Rusty Oleum
Glad I got to see them perform this whole album
Adam Olsen
perfect emcee overlay - incredible composition. hauntingly dope. such tonal variety.