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.
No Strings
Living Legends Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No strings are attached
This is who I am
My rap is not an act
I am my own man
I don't want it to be how it used to be
I want it to be how it is now
I show those people I'm a good damn human being
Man of the earth
Free thinkin' first
Then comparin' notes
With the ones that you wrote
I don't live for votes
I tally my own quotes
You rally in the alley with your style-ee on dope
I got respect for that
Someone should write you a check for that
It's my movie, I wear the director's hat
You've got creative control though
I'll hit you off later with the paper let's roll
It's all soul
Music, I love it
Make it in my home replicate it for the public
Then spread it
Through our own company's
that are headed
By our own fuckin' homies
Nobody owns me
My mom named me Corey
Sam called me a number, had to tell ?em my story
I love life, my wife and break molds
I'm on the dice, feels right, take hold
[Chorus]
(Why would you want to try to break down this?) 3X
(Why would you want to try?)
I'm from the burrito truck village
His trunk, you could feel it
Pain can't heal it
Rain might wash you away
To L.A., plastic face temple
Don't generalize, there's none in South Central
Add it together
I'm mad at the weather
That's just for starters
Never had it better
It must be the cheddar
Cheese on my sandwich
I pay extra for that, just like I planned it
My boat landed
We're both stranded
I wrote candid
But you can understand it though
Never been branded
Spit it how I penned it
From the ground up
I do what not many men did
Careers open-ended
For years shows attended
My peers, stay open minded
They go rewind it.
From Diego to New York
True dedication make it work put it in Quark
Recycle it
Homie beat juggle it
Do it your way and see how big the bubble gets
Cause that's the shit!
[Chorus]
(Why would you want to try to break down this?) X3
(Why would you want to try?)
(We getting better baby!
Ain't no stopping us now!
Living Legends baby!
We on top of the pile!) X2
In Living Legends' song No Strings, the chorus proclaims that the rap being performed is not an act, with no attachment of strings. Rather, the rapper is their own man with a unique style and message. The first verse explains how the artist wants to be seen for who they truly are without conforming to an old way of thinking. The artist believes in thinking freely and compares notes with others to gain perspective, without living for votes or validation from anyone else. The second verse speaks to the artist's love for music and his craft, which he replicates for the public, spreading it through the company owned by his closest associates. The song speaks about overcoming obstacles to get where you want to be and pursuing your creative outlet without being branded or stereotyped.
Line by Line Meaning
No strings are attached
I am who I am with no apologies or hidden agendas
This is who I am
I am not pretending to be anyone else or putting on a front
My rap is not an act
My music reflects my true personality and experiences
I am my own man
I am self-sufficient and do not rely on others for my success
I don't want it to be how it used to be
I want to pave my own path instead of following in others' footsteps
I want it to be how it is now
I am content with my current situation and do not need to change for anyone else
A lot of people want to see what they're used to seeing
Many people have preconceived notions about who I am and what I should do
I show those people I'm a good damn human being
I prove to others that I am genuine, talented, and deserving of respect
Man of the earth
I am grounded and in touch with reality
Free thinkin' first
I prioritize my own thoughts and ideas above the influence of others
Then comparin' notes
I am willing to listen to and learn from others' perspectives
With the ones that you wrote
I use my own words and ideas when expressing myself
I don't live for votes
I do not seek validation or approval from others
I tally my own quotes
I measure my own success and progress based on my own standards
You rally in the alley with your style-ee on dope
You may excel in your own style, but I am not interested in imitating it
I got respect for that
I acknowledge and appreciate others' talents and creativity
Someone should write you a check for that
Your skills and contributions are valuable and should be recognized
It's my movie, I wear the director's hat
I am in charge of my own destiny and creative vision
You've got creative control though
Despite my leadership, I am open to collaboration and others' input
I'll hit you off later with the paper let's roll
I will compensate you for your work and we can continue to create together
It's all soul
My music comes from a place of deep feeling and emotion
Music, I love it
My passion for music is a driving force in my life
Make it in my home replicate it for the public
I am resourceful in my creation process and share my music with others
Then spread it
I promote my music and make it accessible to wider audiences
Through our own company's that are headed
I have taken control of my own business and financial affairs
By our own fuckin' homies
I surround myself with close friends who support and believe in me
Nobody owns me
I am independent and do not owe anyone else control or ownership of my work or identity
My mom named me Corey
My personal background story and identity are important to me
Sam called me a number, had to tell ?em my story
I had to correct someone who misjudged or misunderstood me
I love life, my wife and break molds
I am adventurous and unconventional in both my personal and creative lives
I'm on the dice, feels right, take hold
I am confident and decisive in my decisions and actions
I'm from the burrito truck village
I come from humble beginnings and am proud of my roots
His trunk, you could feel it
My music has a palpable rhythm and energy
Pain can't heal it
I have experienced hardship and trauma, but it cannot be undone
Rain might wash you away
Life's challenges may wear you down, but you must persevere
To L.A., plastic face temple
The city of Los Angeles is often judged for its superficiality and materialism
Don't generalize, there's none in South Central
Stereotypes and assumptions are harmful, and there is diversity even within a certain area
Add it together
Consider all the factors and angles
I'm mad at the weather
I may be frustrated or angry at things beyond my control
That's just for starters
That's just the tip of the iceberg
Never had it better
Despite challenges, I am grateful for my life and opportunities
It must be the cheddar
Financial stability and success may contribute to my overall happiness
Cheese on my sandwich
I enjoy the small pleasures in life
I pay extra for that, just like I planned it
I have control over my life and am able to indulge in things I enjoy
My boat landed
I have arrived and succeeded in my journey
We're both stranded
We all face challenges and difficult situations at times
I wrote candid
I express myself truthfully and openly
But you can understand it though
My honesty and emotions are relatable
Never been branded
I am not pigeonholed or defined by any one thing
Spit it how I penned it
I am unapologetically myself in my music and expression
From the ground up
I have built my career and identity from scratch
I do what not many men did
I have achieved success and recognition through unconventional means
Careers open-ended
My potential for growth and creativity is endless
For years shows attended
I have put in the hard work and dedication to make my music career a success
My peers, stay open minded
I surround myself with like-minded individuals who value creativity and diversity
They go rewind it.
My music is memorable and worth revisiting
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind