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.
Voices
Living Legends Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Murs the Problem Child]
Damn! y'all fools conceited reaction to the title
Heard the first time but quickly changed your mind
Once the performance is completed seated in the back
Too cool to throw yo' hands up; I never quite understood
Alla that what you too tough to have fun?
In your waistline that got you shootin daggers in my face
When I rhyme - times done changed and it's strange
Got motherfuckers ain't smiled at a rap show in a while
Probably since the Fresh Prince was in style
So it's apparent that you just don't understand
The meanest mug in the club, don't make yo' ass the man
Now if you want to be a fan then that's fine
But all I really want to do is just break through to your mind
And show you just because you did some hood time
Don't make it impossible to have a good time when you out
See where I'm from, it's the hardest motherfuckers come to party
All shermed out, so what's this really all about?
You gelled, cause this man's double L, well hell
PSC tells me, it's jealousy that grips the heart
Quit wasting playing hard roles, when yo' ass is
Really just a mark and I should NEVER feel threatened
Cause you see that man behind me?
MURS.. U.. R.. S..
"He's a living legend."
[PSC]
When night falls I enter; being of a higher breed
Of emcee I'll injure all these would-be rap crews
The wannabe fat fools, coulda been rap dudes
Refuse 'em resist 'em like Prop 187 do Mexicans
Again and again, it's the Legends
Lucky am I on wax, and on everyone's tape
PSC the best friend of chorus
The poorest excuse for you, to quit your boyfriend
Just give him a chance (baby baby gimme one more chance)
He'll rap right, if not, check my mic all night
I rap tight, see me catching flights
At the international terminal, where you don't go
So don't go and diss, big groups, will get ripped
And tripped by mic cords, and choked, with cordless
A gift, of smooth talk, walk the walk of a winner
Far from a beginner, guess who's for dinner?
[The Crow Eligh]
Cerebral tornadoes rip logic like frolicking paperbacks
The tone is incomplete extension, in all of the later tracks
Extracting vitamins, from machinery that creates it
As long as the people are fiending for the truth
And not counterfeit, I'm the bounty sheriff merit holder
Winner of awards in the midst, of clashing swords
It's match point on the court, a point is scored
Referee the rest will see my yellow warning on the toilet seat
At least I have my dignity, infinity, a legendary entity forever
"He's a living legend.."
[Aesop]
A legendary flame of a character with no name
Same instance, persistence to have latitudes
Bruise your knees, you will lose
A life or limb, whichever you choose
Find some foe in him, words tend to catch a phrase
That will amaze most from the gazing point, with a judgment standard
Categorized into a tainted picture before it gets a chance to be painted
There's no blanket for the truth (I can't see!)
I got a loose end of a lie, this amateur he tried to get by
The size is more greater, and equator more immense
Since it makes more sense to make some sense, or maybe you know
Out of these weak ass rhymes you roam but you stay in flow
In this dense a body of mockery
[BFAP Jenkins]
Black lightning lighting up the sky, fighting the type
Copywriting history - writing transistory
Bay lines for your mind every time we enter the stage
We split and fade, most, Sunspot Jonz, toast
Goodbye to crust emcees; often lonely and homely
If you could only capture the power of love
Like ten albums in this glove, R.B.I.
While you hittin pop flies.. and sacrifice your life
And die in hurricane and methane
We below shit like propane, Living Legends spiritual cocaine
In a line if you know
What's up with the times cause we straw the line
(We straw the line)
[Arata C7S - Japanese Rap (Unknown lyrics)]
[The Bad News Bear Grouch]
Let's get literal it's me and my team, I got a dream
("He's a living legend..") and a clean way to achieve it
I conceived it myself, with a little bit of help, from my friends
Made amends with my soul, now I'm ready to begin
First ingredient is dope shit, and fool we already wrote it
Mix up with the motives now we're forming perfect batter
Had a vision it would burn, if I measured too precisely
I add a pinch here and, there if the spice be right
We might prepare this feast for many thousands
So eat when you're aroused and enjoy - Legendary bitch!
"He's a living legend." [x3]
("He's a..") [x3]
"He's a living legend.." [x4]
The song Voices by Living Legends is an anthem about self-confidence and overcoming the negativity that can come with fame and success. Murs the Problem Child takes a critical look at the audience's reaction to the performers, highlighting the fact that some people are too cool to enjoy the show or show appreciation. He encourages these people to let their guards down and have a good time, despite their tough exteriors. PSC adds to the theme, pointing out the success that comes with being a member of the group and the envy that comes along with that success. The Crow Eligh makes reference to his own legendary status and the accolades he's received throughout his career. Aesop builds on the idea of a legacy, discussing the importance of truth and how, without it, people are just spouting weak rhymes. BFAP Jenkins uses his verse to emphasize the group's spiritual and cultural significance. Arata C7S sings (in Japanese) about the group's music and how it moves him, while The Bad News Bear Grouch brings the theme full circle, reflecting on how he created his own legendary status.
Throughout the song, Living Legends is speaking to their audience and their peers, encouraging everyone to recognize their own worth and potential. It's about being confident in who you are, standing up to those who doubt you, and continuing to strive for greatness.
Line by Line Meaning
Damn! y'all fools conceited reaction to the title
People often have a conceited reaction to the title of a living legend, but that quickly fades once they witness the legend's performance.
Once the performance is completed seated in the back
Some people sit in the back during performances, too cool to throw their hands up and fully enjoy the show.
Frisked at the door so I know it ain't the gun
Security frisks people at the door, so there's no need to bring a gun. People who stare menacingly at the rapper during their performance are unnecessarily tough.
And show you just because you did some hood time
Just because someone has been to jail or been in tough situations does not mean they cannot have a good time and enjoy a rap show.
All shermed out, so what's this really all about?
People who go to rap shows often get high on sherm, so why should they be too tough to enjoy the performance and have a good time?
When night falls I enter; being of a higher breed
The rapper enters the stage with confidence as a higher breed of emcee who is capable of destroying other rap crews.
It's match point on the court, a point is scored
The rapper feels like the game is in his hands, and he will come out on top. He has already scored a point against the competition.
Black lightning lighting up the sky, fighting the type
The rapper is like black lightning, standing out from the rest and fighting against the type to create unique and powerful music.
I add a pinch here and, there if the spice be right
To create great music, the rapper knows that sometimes it's important to add a pinch of something extra to the mix if it's the right spice.
"He's a living legend.."
The repeated line throughout the song is emphasizing the fact that the featured rapper is indeed a living legend in the rap industry.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: SALVATORE P. ERNA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ERich-do1rv
I went to see these guys live in San Francisco. They refused to play this song. I think i know why they didn’t blow up.
@lilylaw6811
2019 listening to the legends!
@mariogonzales2319
That's right
@jose1645
I've been trying to find out the title of this song forever
@alonargus
This is the song that turned me into a Living Legends fan
@noriega408
My bro showed me the cd in 94 95? I was hooked. I was in 8th grade, 12.
@anthonywhite1143
Thank you for the good music! 2021 and it still gets me going.
@pacohealy2998
Arata in 2024 👌🍻📈
@TheRealEMURSE
Bumping all yall since 2000. Cali to maine
@smashadams2276
2019 and still listening 🔥