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.
What Do You Know?
Murs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Verse 1)
Feel free to hate me and to doubt me, but until you've stood behind my plate
And peep the way I truly swing, you could never out me
See, opinions are like rap careers: Everybody's got one
And most amount to zip, even less if it's a hot one
Like the radio songs that make us sing along
Make you nod your head steady, and you don't feel sketchy
'Til you're all by yourself, and you ridin' around
And realize to yourself how stupid it sounds
Mainstream or Underground, away team, home town
It boils down to the facts: Wack is wack
Camby can't hold Shaq, and a party ain't a party if
you don't bring a sack
Or your own 12-Pack or this 12 on the wax
I detail every track to make a sentence sparkle
Giving thoughts to the thoughtful, but I don't know
How I know how to pull these diamonds outta charcoal
I just know
(Chorus)
*I know, I know, I know*
Think you do when you don't 'cause uh.
*I know, I know, I know*
Think I don't when I do but uh.
*I know, I know, I know*
Think you do when you don't 'cause uh.
(Verse 2)
It's knowledge of self, knowing what you can and you can't do
And knowing to play the hand that God chose to hand you
I plan to double down when my turn comes around
I suggest you do the same, you can't take these chips with you
So it's best to play the game while there's breath up in your frame
Judge to death be the name, so I modern-day confuse
For you Latter Day souls, promote the type of fun
That makes your Saturdays whole, grey matter turn gold
With the stroke of a pen, help your spirit verge free
Before it chokes from within, me I'm cloaked in my sin
So I decorate my shrow, so the tat on my arm
Is the badge of a proud, B-Boy gone wild
In the rap sense of child born in '78
So I know no other culture just to set the record straight
I'm a vandal B-Boyin', turntable destroyin'
Right now it's the skills with the mic I'm employin'
'cause I
(Chorus)
(Verse 3)
I know tomorrow's not promised so handle business while you can
I know a friend's not a friend just because he lends a hand
I know a man's not a man, if he has to beat his woman
I know she'll push you to the point where you feel she had it comin'
I know you both love each other so a brawl would be senseless
I know this 'cause I lived it, and I mean every sentence
I know that 25 to Life is a very long time
I know that that's the reason that I have to go for mine
I know that waitin' on no man is the scheduled flight of time
I know that time is unfair when I listen to Sublime
I know that my time is comin' so I gotta keep runnin'
I know that our time is now so let's have a little fun and
I know you gotta feel me, or my fate is soon to seal me
I know that cigarettes and alcohol are out to kill me
I know I gotta quit, but not right know
I know I gotta quit, but I just don't know how; I just
(Chorus)
The lyrics of Murs’s song "What Do You Know?" are powerful and reflective, with a strong message of self-discovery and the importance of seizing opportunities in life. The repeated phrase "I know, I know, I know" suggests a deep confidence and understanding of oneself, while simultaneously acknowledging the limitations of one's knowledge.
In the first verse, Murs addresses the criticism and doubt he has faced as a rapper, stating that others cannot truly understand his talents until they have seen him perform firsthand. He notes the prevalence of meaningless opinions in the music industry and popular culture, and the tendency of individuals to follow trends without considering the underlying quality of content. However, Murs asserts that he remains true to his craft and strives to create meaningful and thought-provoking music.
The second verse focuses on the importance of self-awareness and making the most of one's opportunities. Murs urges listeners to embrace their strengths and be strategic in pursuing their goals, even when faced with adversity. He acknowledges the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death, but encourages people to live fully in the present and make the most of the time they have.
Overall, "What Do You Know?" is a poignant and introspective song, with a powerful message of self-discovery, living in the moment, and making the most of one's opportunities.
Line by Line Meaning
Feel free to hate me and to doubt me, but until you've stood behind my plate
And peep the way I truly swing, you could never out me
You can criticize and question me all you want, but until you've seen how I perform in the field, you can't judge me accurately.
See, opinions are like rap careers: Everybody's got one
And most amount to zip, even less if it's a hot one
Everyone has their own opinion, but most are meaningless and worthless, especially if they're based on popularity rather than substance.
Like the radio songs that make us sing along
'Cause the beat is real heavy and the hook is real catchy
Make you nod your head steady, and you don't feel sketchy
'Til you're all by yourself, and you ridin' around
And realize to yourself how stupid it sounds
Most popular songs on the radio are appealing because of their catchy beats and hooks, but they often lack substance and meaning. When you're alone, you can finally see how dumb and empty these songs are.
Wack is wack
Camby can't hold Shaq, and a party ain't a party if
you don't bring a sack
Or your own 12-Pack or this 12 on the wax
Bad things are just bad, and no amount of effort can make them good or successful. An event isn't worth attending without bringing your own supplies or contributing to the experience in some way.
It's knowledge of self, knowing what you can and you can't do
And knowing to play the hand that God chose to hand you
I plan to double down when my turn comes around
I suggest you do the same, you can't take these chips with you
Understanding your own strengths and limitations is important, as is accepting the hand that life has dealt you. You should take advantage of opportunities when they arise and make the most of the time you have, because you can't take anything with you when you're gone.
So it's best to play the game while there's breath up in your frame
Judge to death be the name, so I modern-day confuse
For you Latter Day souls, promote the type of fun
That makes your Saturdays whole, grey matter turn gold
It's important to live life to the fullest while you're alive, because death is inevitable. You should enjoy life while you can and seek experiences that enrich your mind and soul.
I know tomorrow's not promised so handle business while you can
I know a friend's not a friend just because he lends a hand
I know a man's not a man, if he has to beat his woman
I know she'll push you to the point where you feel she had it comin'
Life is unpredictable and can end at any moment, so it's important to take care of important matters while you can. True friends are those who support you, not just those who offer superficial help. True men don't resort to violence against women, even in moments of anger.
I know you both love each other so a brawl would be senseless
I know this 'cause I lived it, and I mean every sentence
I know that 25 to Life is a very long time
I know that that's the reason that I have to go for mine
Fighting with someone you love is pointless and counterproductive. The artist knows this from personal experience and means every word he says. The prospect of spending 25 years of life in prison is daunting and motivates him to work hard and make the most of his life.
I know that waitin' on no man is the scheduled flight of time
I know that time is unfair when I listen to Sublime
I know that my time is comin' so I gotta keep runnin'
I know that our time is now so let's have a little fun and
Time waits for no one, and it's up to each individual to make the most of the time they have. Time can feel unfair or unrelenting, as expressed by the artist's appreciation of a song by the band Sublime. However, the artist knows his time is approaching and wants to make the most of it by having fun and enjoying life.
I know you gotta feel me, or my fate is soon to seal me
I know that cigarettes and alcohol are out to kill me
I know I gotta quit, but not right now
I know I gotta quit, but I just don't know how; I just
The artist wants to be understood and connected with his audience or he risks being forgotten. He's aware that smoking and drinking are harmful to his health, but he struggles with giving them up or finding a way to do so.
*I know, I know, I know*
Think you do when you don't 'cause uh.
*I know, I know, I know*
Think I don't when I do but uh.
*I know, I know, I know*
Think you do when you don't 'cause uh.
The repeated chorus emphasizes how people often misunderstand or underestimate each other. They assume they know what others are thinking or feeling when they actually don't.
Contributed by Evelyn T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.