Murs (born Nick Carter, March 16, 1978), is an underground MC from Mid-City… Read Full Bio ↴Murs (born Nick Carter, March 16, 1978), is an underground MC from Mid-City Los Angeles, CA. The name 'MURS' is an acronym for Making Underground Raw Shit. He began to opening eyes as a solo artist in 2002, with the releases of both the full length Def Jux release The End Of The Beginning and the more introspective Varsity Blues EP. Then Murs & 9th Wonder releasing an even more popular and critically acclaimed album called Murs 3:16 - The 9th Edition.

He has stated that he wishes to work with as many artists as possible in his career to help avoid creative stagnation and this certainly shows in his musical output. Together with his crew, living legends he has put out a total of four albums. Then there is the Three Melancholy Gypsys (3MG), a group consisting of three living legends members, who have put out two full length releases. His collaboration with atmosphere's slug has so far produced three cd's, the first of which was a tribute to Christina Ricci whom he also sang softly of on another collaboration - netherworlds together with lesser known rappers anacron and himself.

In 2005 he broadened his horizons by directing an indie film called "Walk Like a Man" with the plot being loosely based on the track by the same name from Murs 3:16 - The 9th Edition. A soundtrack to this movie was also released which besides his own material also featured artists such as atmosphere, DJ Z-Trip, blueprint and brother ali.

Free
Murs Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Intro]
People feelin' that. Oh man. One two one two. I smell somethin' cookin'
Yeah yeah yeah. Okay, give us freedom. That's for real for real
Turn it up a little more G. That means turn it up fool
Yeah, this is it. Yeah yeah. 9th

[Chorus]
I'm free

To change the world to change the times
I'm free
To change my life to change my mind
I'm free
To have hope to have new ideas
I'm free to live my life without the pressure of my peers
I'm free
To make a choice to take a chance
I'm free
To take my voice and make a stance
I'm free
And now I know why the caged bird sings
I'm free to be me so let me do my thing
I'm free

[Verse One]
Like a fresh out of county no bond
Bout to get some Fat Burger and go see my moms
Like the health care need to be
The fact that it ain't is just obscene to me
Free is a state of mind a state to live
Can't be selfish, people hate to give
Love, worth more than gold
But it's free and it's got to be part of soul
Told, I was free 1863
That's until I got clipped by the LAPD
Free to be oppressed for 400 years
Free to leave this country free to stay right here
To make a difference
Free to make change
Free to be normal while I'm free to be strange
From every mountain top where they let freedom rang
There was freedom in the songs that my ancestors sang

[Chorus]

[Verse Two]
Like I'm tax exempt
Free to knock out gangstas and smack some pimps
Cause I'm free to be a whole lot more than that
Free to see the whole world and be more than black
Free to be a plain ole human being
I'm free to write songs about the wrongs I seen
I'm free to make a buck at anyone's expense
Do what it takes to make my rent
But no act will ever be free of consequence
It don't cost a dime to use your common sense
It's Free like Will when I'm free to kill
Anybody that try to knock...
Let me chill
I'm free from anger, I'm free from it
When they grab a hold of me
It's free I break
I'm free to be a failure
Free to be great
And I'm free to be the one who decides my fate

[Chorus]

[Verse Three]
Like my style was in '93
Now there's a whole bunch of dudes tryin' to rhyme like me
Work hard young man
Homie grind like me
And you can be whatever you wanna be
Like the blood, like the love of Jesus
Like the love that the Koran teaches
Like space and the outer reaches
Can't Arrest my Development I'm free like Speech is
Like a genie
Fresh out the bottle
When these MCs is free not to be role models
And me
Well, I'm free to be one
Free to fix a problem where ever I see one
The government came to my hood with free guns
Got us all scared, now I'm thinkin' I need one

But I'm free from fear
And if you already free then let me hear you say "YEAH!"

Overall Meaning

Murs's song "Free" is an anthem for personal freedom, social change, and individual empowerment. The song begins with a call for freedom and urging the listener to turn up the volume, as if to create an environment for liberation. The lyrics express a desire to break free of oppressive forces and societal expectations, to take control of one's own life, and to make a positive change in the world.

The first verse of the song talks about the struggles of Black people in America and how, even though they were legally freed from slavery in 1863, they remain oppressed and in a state of mind that demands action. The lyrics touch on the fact that love, which should be free, is often hard to come by due to selfishness and societal pressures. The lyrics also highlight the absurdity of a healthcare system that does not prioritize the well-being of all people equally.

In the second verse, the lyrics expand on the theme of freedom and how it empowers one to be oneself, to pursue one's dreams, and to use one's voice to advocate for change. The lyrics touch on the idea of consequence and how every action, even those taken in the name of freedom, carries weight. Murs raps about the importance of common sense and how it costs nothing to use it. The verse also references violence and anger, stating that one can be free from those destructive forces.

The final verse of the song talks about how freedom manifests in different aspects of life, from religion to personal style. The lyrics encourage young people to work hard and find their own path, without trying to copy others. The verse also expresses frustration with the government and its role in perpetuating fear and violence. The lyrics end with a call to action, to stand up for what is right and to declare one's freedom with a resounding "yeah!"

Line by Line Meaning

People feelin' that. Oh man. One two one two. I smell somethin' cookin'
Introduces the song with excitement and anticipation

Yeah yeah yeah. Okay, give us freedom. That's for real for real
Demands true freedom for all

Turn it up a little more G. That means turn it up fool
Asks the DJ to increase the volume

Yeah, this is it. Yeah yeah. 9th
Acknowledges the producer's contribution to the song

I'm free To change the world to change the times
Expresses the freedom to make a positive impact on the world

I'm free To change my life to change my mind
States the ability to transform oneself and one's thoughts

I'm free To have hope to have new ideas
Reiterates the freedom to dream and create

I'm free to live my life without the pressure of my peers
Emphasizes the choice to live life without the influence of others

I'm free To make a choice to take a chance
Stresses the freedom to take risks and make decisions

I'm free To take my voice and make a stance
Asserts the ability to speak out and take action

I'm free And now I know why the caged bird sings
Acknowledges the struggle for freedom and the power of expression

I'm free to be me so let me do my thing
Declares the right to be oneself and pursue one's passions

Like a fresh out of county no bond Bout to get some Fat Burger and go see my moms
Shares a personal experience of freedom after being released from jail

Like the health care need to be The fact that it ain't is just obscene to me
Calls attention to the lack of access to healthcare as a violation of freedom

Free is a state of mind a state to live Can't be selfish, people hate to give
Defines freedom as a mental and emotional state and promotes generosity

Love, worth more than gold But it's free and it's got to be part of soul
Values the power of love and its necessity for the soul

Told, I was free 1863 That's until I got clipped by the LAPD
Recalls the history of slavery and the ongoing struggle for racial justice

Free to be oppressed for 400 years Free to leave this country free to stay right here
Comments on the irony of America's ideals of freedom in light of its history of oppression

To make a difference Free to make change
Expresses the freedom to create positive change in society

Free to be normal while I'm free to be strange From every mountain top where they let freedom rang There was freedom in the songs that my ancestors sang
Celebrates the freedom to express oneself uniquely and references the history of music as a tool for freedom

Like I'm tax exempt Free to knock out gangstas and smack some pimps
Uses hyperbole to assert the freedom to do what one wants

Cause I'm free to be a whole lot more than that Free to see the whole world and be more than black
Rejects stereotypes and limitations and claims the freedom to experience the world fully

Free to be a plain ole human being I'm free to write songs about the wrongs I seen
Values the freedom to simply be oneself and to speak out against injustice

I'm free to make a buck at anyone's expense Do what it takes to make my rent
Acknowledges the gray area of financial freedom and the moral implications of making money

But no act will ever be free of consequence It don't cost a dime to use your common sense
Reflects on the responsibility that comes with freedom and encourages the use of reason

It's Free like Will when I'm free to kill Anybody that try to knock... Let me chill I'm free from anger, I'm free from it
Uses figurative language to emphasize the power of freedom and the importance of self-control

When they grab a hold of me It's free I break
Suggests that even when oppressed, one's spirit and will can remain free

I'm free to be a failure Free to be great And I'm free to be the one who decides my fate
Asserts that freedom allows for both failure and success and the power to control one's own destiny

Like my style was in '93 Now there's a whole bunch of dudes tryin' to rhyme like me
Reflects on personal success and influence in the music industry

Work hard young man Homie grind like me And you can be whatever you wanna be
Offers advice and encouragement for others to pursue their own path to freedom

Like the blood, like the love of Jesus Like the love that the Koran teaches Like space and the outer reaches Can't Arrest my Development I'm free like Speech is
References various aspects of faith and science to illustrate the vastness of freedom and its importance

Like a genie Fresh out the bottle When these MCs is free not to be role models And me Well, I'm free to be one
Compares freedom to a genie that can be bottled up and suggests the importance of using freedom wisely

Free to fix a problem where ever I see one The government came to my hood with free guns Got us all scared, now I'm thinkin' I need one
Asserts the freedom to address and solve problems, and critiques government policies that perpetuate fear

But I'm free from fear And if you already free then let me hear you say "YEAH!"
Emphasizes the power and importance of being free from fear and encourages listeners to celebrate their own freedom

Contributed by Leah F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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