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.
War Games
Living Legends Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know where the music came from, I not a lame dumb dumb
Origin is respected but still we choose to come, original
Down from my talk to my walkin'
Heads out to please the king Christopher Walken
A city with fly lingo and bad ass latinas
Got heads on this side biting styles still unequal
Unless you assimilate you never considered great
Demonstrate the speech from your birth place you can't race
Disgraced by false handshakes, these punk rap dudes
Talk behind our back but they don't want the feud
A few of them seen the ads y'all helped us pay for
Now they say what's up in the club! What the fuck whore!?
Listen up bitch! You diss because you can't see
Born in California actin' N Y C
Influence is golden but when mics is holding
I roll with the oath to spit what's never stolen
It keeps us out the mix shows and tape decks of 64's
Because we in the middle, we strangers to the riddle
For DJs who play this the bravest get propers
But most won't even touch this unless we sign to Rawkus!
[The Grouch]
I met you twice before and shook your hand
You didn't feel it
Did it for the cap but should have acted like I'd peel it
Now I'm in the skillet on the burner in the back
Caught between the trunk bump and the motherfucking boom bap
Bring the tune back,
You're craps in the chop shop
Thermometer up your ass
That's the reason that I'm not hot
But I got a fever times three for every CD
Bound to be the missing link
For those who want to meet me at the crossing
I'll be the one semi-flossing
With mega self-respect but avoid to go with that
Cause he's employed to act like he doesn't see the free man
Oops that's too much credit, I bet it isn't the plan
Freak of nature, I'm the stranger, you're bad with names bra
Change your views, I'm giving clues
Strangest news you're about to lose
Blame them fools who got the tools.
[Eligh]
I'd never consider moving out
When it comes to the coast I'm dwelling on
Hell if I ever switch up the weather
To fit what these other fellas are on
I cause a renaissance
Renovating creativeness on this side of the coast
Self-hatred, radio stations
They play their shit while they brag and they boast
It's not about toe tagging with a rag and a magnum
It's all about respect
Caught in the middle without a clue
Legendary originality here to battle the fallacy
Here to put it down with my crew
Actually I'm open to any option, except belly flopping
Over a sloppy copy of a Primo track, that's a fact
Action taken by middlemen
While you fiddle with pens and pronouns
Trying to pronounce like your pro-eastern affiliate
When I affiliate my style with the golden state
While you're holding hate, claiming to hold weight
Now, much respect to the roots but once you've walked in these boots
Doing a format like that is so fake
You're a dormant doormat
Wearing a whores hat
With a horrible imitation of what you consider great
When that's only a bite.
Your eyes are bigger than your stomach
So when you plummet into the darkness
We'll be rising into the light (that's right, that's right)
So when you plummet into the darkness
We'll be rising into the light (that's right, that's right)
[Aesop]
I'm anti, but I'm not anti-social
You can feel it through my soul
My presence through my vocals
"How the fuck they got fans?
Man them niggas only local."
Bitch we chase down the mic
And put you rhymes in a chokehold
I'm a pro bro, comin' fresh ain't a problem so
Legends' got skills
Cause we're always evolvin'
And involvin' our self in the life of our fans
Revolvin' around them like the earth on its axis
And neva payin' no taxes man
Firm in my shoes where I stand
Not a stranger to this land
With my choice of words I gain respect and proceed
They say if you don't succeed try, try again my friend
Ya must make words blend within the beat then
Make it a part of this world, make your mark on this earth
For what it's worth, evade the demons while they lurk
In the envy of the jerks bi-coastal who smirk
At the talent and the balance that shine in our work
The suckas love to hate us and these girls LOVE TO FLIRT
Stranger to the under ground, ya neva dug the dirt
True we blowin' up fool and it hurts to be you
Still tryin' to sound like them, just to make it through!!!!
The lyrics to "War Games" by Living Legends speaks about being true to oneself and one's origins, while also acknowledging the influence of other cultures and styles. The song emphasizes the importance of originality and authenticity in music, particularly in the face of those who attempt to copy or assimilate to popular styles. The verses address the struggles faced by the Living Legends, including being stuck in the middle of different music scenes and facing disrespect from other artists, but also emphasizes the power and importance of the group and their dedicated fans.
The first verse is by PSC and he emphasizes being true to one's origins and not being a copycat. He calls out artists who talk behind their back but don't want to start a feud. The Grouch talks about being caught between different music styles, and how he wants his music to be a missing link for those who want to meet him. Eligh talks about not succumbing to the pressures of other artists and staying true to his own artistic vision. Aesop talks about the Legends' success and their place in the music industry, while also acknowledging the envy and hate that they face from others who try to copy their style.
Line by Line Meaning
I know where the music came from, I not a lame dumb dumb
I am aware of the origins of our music, and I am not ignorant.
Down from my talk to my walkin'
My attitude and mannerisms reflect the essence of our music.
Heads out to please the king Christopher Walken
We aim to please the best in the game, like an actor of legendary status like Christopher Walken.
Got heads on this side biting styles still unequal
We have copycats on the west coast that imitate our style but cannot match our level of skill.
Unless you assimilate you never considered great
You cannot be considered great unless you blend in with the culture that created our music.
Demonstrate the speech from your birth place you can't race
Showcase the unique qualities of your local scene and don't try to compete with us on our own turf.
Disgraced by false handshakes, these punk rap dudes
We are disrespected by disingenuous people in the rap industry.
Talk behind our back but they don't want the feud
Our detractors gossip about us, but they don't want to face us in a confrontation.
Now they say what's up in the club! What the fuck whore!?
Our haters act like our friends when they see us in public, but we know their true colors.
Listen up bitch! You diss because you can't see
You hate on us because you cannot understand our artistry.
Born in California actin' N Y C
We come from California but our style reflects the energy of New York City.
I roll with the oath to spit what's never stolen
We are committed to creating original music that has never been plagiarized from others.
It keeps us out the mix shows and tape decks of 64's
Our music is not widely played on radio shows or cassette tapes in the 64's car culture scene due to its unique sound and style.
Because we in the middle, we strangers to the riddle
We are in the middle of two coasts, and our style is unfamiliar to both.
But most won't even touch this unless we sign to Rawkus!
Many record labels are hesitant to sign us unless we conform to their standards and join their roster, like Rawkus Records.
I met you twice before and shook your hand, You didn't feel it
We have met people in the industry who do not appreciate or acknowledge our artistry.
But I got a fever times three for every CD
We are passionate about making music and our fans appreciate our work and support us.
For those who want to meet me at the crossing
We are welcoming to those who want to collaborate with us and share our vision.
I'll be the one semi-flossing
I will be the one showing off my creativity and talent in a subtle yet effective way.
With mega self-respect but avoid to go with that
We have a lot of confidence and pride in our music, but we will not compromise our integrity for the sake of fame or fortune.
Strangest news you're about to lose
Our unique style and talent is about to overshadow those who imitate us or fail to appreciate us.
When that's only a bite.
Others may try to copy our style, but they can only imitate a small part of our essence.
I'm anti, but I'm not anti-social
I may oppose certain aspects of society, but I am not against socializing and connecting with others through my music.
You can feel it through my soul, My presence through my vocals
My music is a reflection of my innermost feelings and thoughts, and it has an impact on those who listen to it.
Bitch we chase down the mic, And put you rhymes in a chokehold
We are passionate about making music and we will not let anyone stand in our way of achieving success.
For what it's worth, evade the demons while they lurk
Despite the challenges and obstacles we face, we will not let negative influences sway us from our goals.
In the envy of the jerks bi-coastal who smirk
We are the target of envy and ridicule from those who oppose or imitate our style on both coasts of the country.
True we blowin' up fool and it hurts to be you, Still tryin' to sound like them, just to make it through!
Our success is a threat to those who try to imitate our style and conform to mainstream expectations, and they envy our originality and creativity.
Contributed by James K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.