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.
Hold Your Own
Living Legends Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
feat.Bicasso and Ragen Fykes
(Intro - Ragen)
Hold my own
(Grouch)
I pass now and maybe have fun later
Surface is so centered 'round greed I need peace
And that's a long road to travel the gravel beneath feet
Sands first severe the worst stayed near I persevere
Inside I need discipline Lower the tide
I'm drowning in sound and sight drunk off light
Dim to him and show that we unite vision
I'm all seeing who's livin' for love's sake
Thinking above great limits and tomorrow I'll win it
Today my task finish with my heart in it
Starred in it like a blockbuster's jock
Real people respect with equal effects back
Plant the seed check that then when you get back
Blend, once you've learned to be a friend
Men recognize how to speak and when
So start for yards gained next
I pass on what's stressed in the present
'Cause I'm fresh for the future
(Chorus – Ragen)
Gotta separate myself from this world
Grasp is pure and love is good
Hold my own at least I'm free
But sacrifice it sets the fate
(Eligh)
Beats made by the lips and teeth and streets
Freaks high school like non-athletes nor geeks
Cleats with the rhymes that dug deep into the beat
Made by colleagues over asphalt quite unique
In spite of a forthright notion that we were discreet
We made our presence known through poetry on the quad
Odd as it may seem daydreams start from a nod
Sweet like Pralines were reactions on the spot
From the parking lot where the narcs would catch you with a joint
To the point where you can't smoke a cigarette without the sweat
I bet if I went to class and didn't have no interest in the ass
I'd circulate my energy to the grass
Where we gathered in circles representing the revolution
Evolution of mind patterns gathering resolution
To the daily constitution of psyche to the institution
Of High School Hamilton high dues lamped in a ritual
Habitual constitution
Never bite never steal the light never hog the mike
Invisible to the sight never say lyrical and miracle
In the same rhyme at the same time (yeah, right)
Under the code at the age of fifteen like young men
In the service swerving and curving through potholes
And gutter snipes and rotweillers and bottom feeders
Spring autumn and winter from beginner to intermediate
Specialists in the winter never not a sinner but
Fond of glimmering truth on the roof with a pair of
Binoculars and one hundred and fifty-one proof
Boots that stomped through puddles of acid tabs
Flaccid laughs at the way I move when I bust my raps
At last it's my time to shine
Travel the world and make due what's mine
Never give up from the plastic bump and grind
Rhinestone reality in these shiny days of mine
It's just the sacrifices made
That got me where I need to be today
(Chorus – Ragen)
(Bicasso)
Put me in a pot stir me up let me marinate
In the spice of life then simmer sauté
What I say and what I do make sure that smells right
And taste the love too when I'm done I'll be ready
To serve to my people the stuff that we can grow from
Knowin' what level we live we only equal to the work
That we put into our lives that's what we get out
You having these doubts well first things first
Up early in the morning feel the burning in your eyes
Make sure to keep them open wash them out and realize
That your wakin' up alive give thanks for another day
Another way to figure out just how you gonna survive
Sacrifice is key multiply what it is to be
Sprinkle in some discipline I put that on me
Keep your soul so focused thing that I bet you could see
Have it clearer than a vision quest open your chest
Dig in your heart hold your love tight it just might
Be a certain premonition that you needed in life
Through the performing intuition if you heeded it right
When you ride the wave of light certain things fall in place
It's a matter of your space and time and how you use it
I put that on mine and meditate to the music (to the music X2)
(Chorus – Ragen)
Hold my own (X2)
The song "Hold Your Own" by Living Legends featuring Bicasso and Ragen Fykes is a reflective track about perseverance and self-reliance. The verses by the different artists touch on various themes related to the idea of holding one's own, from Eligh's lyrical narratives about his journey in music and personal growth to Grouch's musings about living in a world that prioritizes greed and the need to focus on love and unity. Bicasso's verse rounds up the song's message about finding clarity and purpose through meditation and being mindful of one's actions and intentions.
The chorus sung by Ragen Fykes highlights the tension between wanting to be free and true to oneself while recognizing that sacrifices often have to be made to achieve one's goals. It's a sentiment that many people can relate to, especially those who are in the pursuit of creative fulfillment or personal growth. The song's mellow beat and introspective lyrics make it a reflective piece that encourages listeners to reflect on their own journey and the sacrifices they've made to get where they are.
Overall, "Hold Your Own" is a reminder that growth and self-discovery can be challenging, but it's important to hold onto one's dreams and stay true to oneself in the face of obstacles.
Line by Line Meaning
I pass now and maybe have fun later
I prioritize my responsibilities now and delay the enjoyment until later
Sacrifice feeling nice the outcome's layered
Giving up immediate gratification for long-term benefits has complex effects
Surface is so centered 'round greed I need peace
The superficial aspects of life revolve around greed, while I crave peace
And that's a long road to travel the gravel beneath feet
Achieving peace is a difficult journey
Sands first severe the worst stayed near I persevere
Overcoming tough situations has helped me persevere
Inside I need discipline Lower the tide
I require self-discipline to calm my inner turmoil
I'm drowning in sound and sight drunk off light
The constant stimulation from modern life is overwhelming
Dim to him and show that we unite vision
Stop focusing on individual differences and instead come together to achieve a shared vision
Men recognize how to speak and when
It's important to know when to speak and when to listen
Gotta separate myself from this world
I need to detach from society's expectations
Grasp is pure and love is good
My understanding of the world is based on genuine love
Hold my own at least I'm free
I choose to be self-reliant because it gives me the freedom to live life on my own terms
But sacrifice it sets the fate
Sacrifice is necessary for shaping my future
Beats made by the lips and teeth and streets
Our music is born from our own experiences and environment
Freaks high school like non-athletes nor geeks
We were misfits in high school, not conforming to any stereotype
Cleats with the rhymes that dug deep into the beat
We added depth to the music with our lyrics
In spite of a forthright notion that we were discreet
Despite trying to keep our talent low-key, it caught people's attention
From the parking lot where the narcs would catch you with a joint
From the school parking lot where drug busts occurred
To the point where you can't smoke a cigarette without the sweat
The fear and paranoia from drugs made smoking cigarettes nerve-wracking
Never bite never steal the light never hog the mike
We respect other artists and never try to outshine them
I put that on mine and meditate to the music
I swear on my life that I meditate to our music
Put me in a pot stir me up let me marinate
I want to absorb life and let it shape me
In the spice of life then simmer sauté
Then, I want to process and transform that experience
Keep your soul so focused thing that I bet you could see
Stay true to your path and you'll have a clear vision of what you want
Have it clearer than a vision quest open your chest
Be open to introspection and discovery
Dig in your heart hold your love tight it just might
Find what you love and never let go of it
Be a certain premonition that you needed in life
What you love may guide you to what you need in life
Rhinestone reality in these shiny days of mine
My life seems perfect, but it's only an illusion
It's just the sacrifices made
The struggles and hard work put in
That got me where I need to be today
Brought me to where I am now
Hold my own
Stand on my own two feet
Contributed by Mackenzie G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.