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.
Soap Boxin
Living Legends Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooooooooo ...oohhhhhhhh watch out a watch out a watch out
I can't stop how come? It's no breaks in what?
This hip-hop say what? No low stakes they high!
I won't flop but flip cakes and breaks to rip shop and why not?
Well go head I'm 'bout to that's right no doubt dude
That's tight why thank you
I just might replay some true shit
I'll call a bluff cuz I knew it
I'm like psychic when it blew thru the winds who?
My ancestors whispers answers the questions
Get twisted, I choose the path less taken
Less walked on, forsaken, betcha beat breakin'
Breads we be bakin' but it takes dough though
So songs we kneed so slow no move fakin'
This Bicasso the next level
Penetrated thru the outer crust in a wood shed
Let go of the baggage on my shoulders, now I feel good
My neighborhood switched, I'm in the hills now
But not quite how I planned it,
This nest ain't my roost I got that hot handed
I'm bout to shake em, I'm bout to shake em,
Collect them dividends
Give me that ten that I'm takin', I'm
Makin' you wanna look, study the handbook of fresh shit
I'm blessed with a gift that uplifts and shifts what you think
What I think sometimes gets missed
So hold this opinion tight,
My third eye in flight for third eye sight
I might live longer and I might breath deeper
So that I might be stronger
Best be a believer and a singer of these songs
[Eligh]
Where can we be headed, without music in my system
I'd topple over unbalanced,
It's a part of me and my talents
Help to ventilate, lung capacity featherweight,
Your audacity to judge me by my cover
A mistake unlike no other.
Would your brother judge your father
If he left the family tree?
Probably, quite simply,
Put his foot down to the earth.
Regenerate from the soot
And put more effort than the first
Attempt to get some, get right,
Get closer to the meaning of life
Without repeating it twice
I must know ten repeated offenders up in this blender
A melting pot of letters all marked return to sender
Embark like a gypsy vendor
To market the rhymes I render original,
Remember:
If you're ever in a spot where
You feel like you'll never escape
Like a rock and a hard place,
Where the dealers got the ace
Don't about face.
I'm one to talk
I've been the one to walk and turn the other cheek
And some might call that weak
But there's a time and a place
And two aces for every one man
Don't give up on the first, try,
Be the first guy to take a stand
Landing feet first is a lesson in its own hand
In this land I'm a man who's a fan of next levels
And I'm attacking the central nervous system
With shocking wisdom
Unlocking wandering light, reflected in prisms
Keep the colors vibrant inside the database
I made a fatter face to fit the mad hatter bass
That we pack like a weapon with a crack,
Then we steppin' out the arena
Gladiator putting up his belt for the title
If you felt your liability than test the flexibility
Who's next to rest comfortably,
Idle hands burn and turn to dust,
When you learn to trust the music comes naturally
The song "Soap Boxin" by Living Legends featuring Bicasso and Eligh is a powerful expression of the artists' dedication to hip-hop music. Bicasso starts the song with a confident declaration that he cannot stop regardless of the circumstances because hip-hop is his passion. He goes on to emphasize the fundamental importance of hip-hop in his life and notes that he is committed to honing his craft and delivering the best possible performances.
Eligh then picks up the baton and asks the question of where would we be without music in our system, for him, it is an integral part of his talents and helps him ventilate. He notes that many people make the mistake of judging him by his cover, but he has seen past this and has learned to be true to himself. Eligh stresses the importance of perseverance in pursuing meaningful goals and not giving up but finishing what you started.
In conclusion, "Soap Boxin" is an introspective and thought-provoking song that showcases the artists' love for hip-hop as both an art form and a way of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooooooooo ...oohhhhhhhh watch out a watch out a watch out
Get ready for what I'm about to say
I can't stop how come? It's no breaks in what?
I can't control myself, there's no stopping me
This hip-hop say what? No low stakes they high!
Hip-hop is serious business, there's no room for failure
I won't flop but flip cakes and breaks to rip shop and why not?
I'll succeed by making great music and owning the scene
Well go head I'm 'bout to that's right no doubt dude
Here I go, ready to make my mark
That's tight why thank you
Thanks for your support
I just might replay some true shit
I might bring back some real, authentic hip-hop
That type stuff you don't fool with
This is the kind of hip-hop you can't fake
I'll call a bluff cuz I knew it
I'll expose fake rappers when I see them
I'm like psychic when it blew thru the winds who?
I have a sixth sense for who's real and who's not
My ancestors whispers answers the questions
My roots guide me and give me wisdom
Get twisted, I choose the path less taken
I'm unique and unconventional
Less walked on, forsaken, betcha beat breakin'
My journey hasn't been easy, but it's worth it
Breads we be bakin' but it takes dough though
We're making amazing music, but it's not easy
So songs we kneed so slow no move fakin'
We take our time to perfect our craft
This Bicasso the next level
I'm taking hip-hop to new heights
Penetrated thru the outer crust in a wood shed
I got started in a small, humble setting
Let go of the baggage on my shoulders, now I feel good
I'm no longer weighed down and I feel free
My neighborhood switched, I'm in the hills now
I've made it to a new level of success
But not quite how I planned it,
Success isn't always what you expect
This nest ain't my roost I got that hot handed
I'm not settling, I'm still striving for more
I'm bout to shake em, I'm bout to shake em,
I'm going to make an impact
Collect them dividends
Achieving success and reaping the rewards
Give me that ten that I'm takin', I'm
I'm not settling for less
Makin' you wanna look, study the handbook of fresh shit
My music is innovative and worth exploring
I'm blessed with a gift that uplifts and shifts what you think
I'm lucky to have a talent that makes people think differently
What I think sometimes gets missed
My message is often overlooked
So hold this opinion tight,
Take my words to heart and remember them
My third eye in flight for third eye sight
I have a deep understanding of the world around me
I might live longer and I might breath deeper
I'm focused on living a fulfilling life
So that I might be stronger
So I can face any challenge with confidence
Best be a believer and a singer of these songs
Believe in my message and support my music
Where can we be headed, without music in my system
Music is essential to my life and my creativity
I'd topple over unbalanced,
Without music, I wouldn't be myself
It's a part of me and my talents
Music is innate and integral to who I am
Help to ventilate, lung capacity featherweight,
Music helps me breathe and feel light
Your audacity to judge me by my cover
Don't judge me by my appearance
A mistake unlike no other.
It's a big mistake to judge someone based on their looks
Would your brother judge your father
Would you judge your own family?
If he left the family tree?
If someone left your family, would you judge them?
Probably, quite simply,
People are often quick to judge
Put his foot down to the earth.
Take a stand and be grounded in reality
Regenerate from the soot
Rise above negativity and hardship
And put more effort than the first
Try harder than before
Attempt to get some, get right,
Strive to achieve your goals
Get closer to the meaning of life
Find purpose and fulfillment
Without repeating it twice
Don't waste time repeating yourself
I must know ten repeated offenders up in this blender
I know a lot of people who keep making the same mistakes
A melting pot of letters all marked return to sender
We're all trying to figure out our own path in life
Embark like a gypsy vendor
Set out on a journey like a free spirit
To market the rhymes I render original,
Spread my unique music to the world
Remember:
Don't forget this important point
If you're ever in a spot where
If you find yourself in a tough situation
You feel like you'll never escape
When you feel like there's no hope
Like a rock and a hard place,
When you're stuck between a difficult decision
Where the dealers got the ace
When the odds are stacked against you
Don't about face.
Don't give up or quit
I'm one to talk
I know what it's like to face challenges
I've been the one to walk and turn the other cheek
I've faced adversity and kept going
And some might call that weak
Some might think that's a sign of weakness
But there's a time and a place
You have to know when to stand up for yourself
And two aces for every one man
Sometimes you have to play the odds
Don't give up on the first, try,
Keep trying and don't give up
Be the first guy to take a stand
Be brave and take action
Landing feet first is a lesson in its own hand
Learning from your mistakes is important
In this land I'm a man who's a fan of next levels
I'm always striving for more and better
And I'm attacking the central nervous system
I'm shaking things up and making a big impact
With shocking wisdom
I'm wise beyond my years
Unlocking wandering light, reflected in prisms
I'm helping people see things in a new way
Keep the colors vibrant inside the database
Stay true to your creativity and individuality
I made a fatter face to fit the mad hatter bass
I'm expanding and evolving as an artist
That we pack like a weapon with a crack,
Our music is powerful and impactful
Then we steppin' out the arena
We're coming out strong and ready to perform
Gladiator putting up his belt for the title
We're the best and we're ready to prove it
If you felt your liability than test the flexibility
If you think you can't do something, try anyway
Who's next to rest comfortably,
Who's going to be next to feel threatened by me?
Idle hands burn and turn to dust,
It's important to stay busy and productive
When you learn to trust the music comes naturally
When you're true to yourself, success comes naturally
Contributed by Mateo J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.