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.
The Animal
Murs Lyrics
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I got animals dammit
My gorillas throw gang signs, y'all niggas can't handle it
Why y'all niggas can't handle it?
Why y'all niggas can't handle it?
My gorillas throw gang signs, y'all niggas can't handle it
This an animal's planet
I got animals dammit
Why y'all niggas can't handle it?
Why y'all niggas can't handle it?
My gorillas throw gang signs, y'all niggas can't handle it
Ha!
Deep in the jungles
Off of Nicolette
In front of Dorsey High with a marijuana cigarette
At the marketplace, very African
Sippin' on some liquor that I copped from the Pakistan
Shoelaces, red, gold, green
'Bout to hit up that parade for the Martin Luther King
Niggas at Louisiana Chicken sat trippin'
Ck shirts on, Anti-Crippin'
Damn
I'm just try'na move these incense
This situation so intense
Still see the families barbecuein', drill teams
In the middle of the street this is how we do it
This was 9-6 and that was the jam still
Back when niggas banged heavy metal like anvil
Droppin' off the cliff on the head of that coyote
Gettin' chased by the blue bird, just like cody
Get it? Forget it
I'm up at autobahn
Walkin' past people sellin' jewelry on they front lawn
Seen this rap nigga I used to have beef with
Walkin' in his tank top like he on some G-Shit
Just got his deal on some Crip wannabe shit
20 years later he was on some MTV shit
Anyways, I'm sidetracked on a tangent
Tryna finish tellin' you this story
This an animal's planet
I got animals dammit
My gorillas throw gang signs, y'all niggas can't handle it
Why y'all niggas can't handle it?
Why y'all niggas can't handle it?
My gorillas throw gang signs, y'all niggas can't handle it
This an animal's planet
I got animals dammit
My gorillas throw gang signs, y'all niggas can't handle it
Why y'all niggas can't handle it?
Why y'all niggas can't handle it?
My gorillas throw gang signs, y'all niggas can't handle it
Ha!
Saw my homies from my neighborhood comin' up the street
Dressed in all blue from the head to they feet
They didn't see me, but I seen them
I try to dip out that's when I hear the homie Demon he like
"What up Nick, cuz?"
I'm like "Shit, fuck"
These motherfuckers Goddamn
I just don't understand
Gettin' caught up with these niggas wasn't part of the plan
I act like I'm happy to see 'em
I dap 'em up
And in the back of my mind I know they about to act up
"Haaa, what y'all niggas doin' up here?"
(Nothin' cuz, heard some enemies was up here)
(You wanna leave Nick?)
(You got a problem?)
(Guess you only kick it with us when you got a problem)
I just had them tools at my school last week
I told them fools they're trippin', then they came up there mad deep
A friend in need is a friend indeed
So I tried to distract 'em and I offered 'em some weed
It didn't work, they seen them dudes at the chicken spot
All them blood niggas standin' up on the rooftop
Didn't take long before they spotted us
And any other day they would've been done shotted us
Too many people in the street to bear witness
And they all hopped down from the roof with a quickness
I seen one of 'em try to reach in his waist
So Colossus threw a barbecue grill in his face
Sparks flyin' everywhere, people is screamin'
That's when two of 'em tried to hop on Demon
And I seen a fist comin' out of my periphery
And all of the sudden the asphalt got slippery
I got hit
My feet slipped out from under me
Now I'm goin' down, down, down, like a submarine
Knocked out cold in the middle of Crenshaw
A nigga named Grit got credit for the pinfall
I woke up, slightly concussed in handcuffs
Bleedin' from my head, I could barely even stand up
Police askin' me what transpired
When I said I didn't know they was callin' me a liar
A call on they radio said shots fired
So they had to let me go 'cause a priority was hired
They drove off, tires screechin', lights flashin'
Homies pulled up and told me get my ass in
I got to the crib and I got me a ice pack
These niggas wanna smoke right before they go strike back
Now they got jokes, laughin' cause I got knocked out
I'm happy that I'm home, I give a fuck what they talkin' 'bout
On the couch with a concussion, niggas clownin' me but well
It's better than havin' a concussion in the county jail
This an animal's planet
I got animals dammit
My gorillas throw gang signs, y'all niggas can't handle it
Why y'all niggas can't handle it?
Why y'all niggas can't handle it?
My gorillas throw gang signs, y'all niggas can't handle it
This an animal's planet
I got animals dammit
My gorillas throw gang signs, y'all niggas can't handle it
Why y'all niggas can't handle it?
Why y'all niggas can't handle it?
My gorillas throw gang signs, y'all niggas can't handle it
Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!
This an animal's planet
I got animals dammit
Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!
The lyrics to Murs's song "The Animal" describe the harsh realities of life in inner-city Los Angeles. The repeated chorus, "This an animal's planet, I got animals dammit, my gorillas throw gang signs, y'all niggas can't handle it" speaks to the inherent violence and danger that exist in the rapper's environment. The detailed description of the marketplace, complete with African liquor and shoelaces in the colors of the Rasta flag, sets the scene for the chaotic events that follow. Murs's encounter with his old neighborhood friends is tense, and when they run into enemies, violence erupts. Although the rapper's efforts to distract his friends with weed fail, he manages to survive the altercation, albeit with a concussion and handcuffs.
The song paints a vivid picture of the experiences of people in urban areas, where gang violence and other crimes are commonplace. The lyrics highlight the dangerous circumstances that many members of these communities face on a daily basis. Murs speaks to the isolation and danger of living within this "animal's planet," where brute strength and gang affiliation may be the only means of survival. He emphasizes the importance of having a solid crew of friends who have your back during times of conflict, even if they may be involved in criminal activity themselves.
● "The Animal" was released on Murs's album Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition in 2004.
● The album was produced by 9th Wonder, a renowned producer in the underground hip-hop scene.
● The song samples the instrumental track "Ease Back" by DJ Krush.
● Murs was a member of the Living Legends collective at the time of the album's release.
● The album received positive reviews from critics and helped establish Murs as a prominent underground rapper.
● Murs has since released numerous solo albums and collaborated with other prominent artists in the hip-hop world.
● The song features guest vocals from rapper Chace Infinite.
● Murs has cited his experiences growing up in Los Angeles as a major influence on his music and lyrics.
● The music video for "The Animal" features Murs and his crew driving through the streets of LA and performing the song in front of graffiti-tagged walls.
● The song has been performed live by Murs at concerts and festivals around the world.
Chords - not provided
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: Nicholas Carter, Ian Alexander II Desdune, Glen David Henry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind