In Summer of 2011 Thurz, released his debut solo album, L.A Riot inspired by the aftermath of the Rodney King verdict which took place during six days in 1992 from April 29th to May 4th and saw the second most populous city in the U.S. serve as the home to rampant and widespread unrest, including looting, arson, assault and murder. The death toll from the riots officially tallied at 48 men and 5 women cross racial and ethnic lines—35 fell from gunfire (eight at the hands of law enforcement and the National Guard); Thousands more were injured. Property damages totaled over $1 billion.
Thurz—whose rap name nods to the weekday of his birth as a counterpart to his last name ("Koffi" which actually means "born on a Friday" in Ghana's native language, Akan- found the L.A. Riots were the perfect metaphor for the direction his music was moving into: mature and confident yet reactionary and emotional; the response to decades of things unspoken and undone. As someone who had identified with Los Angeles his whole life, it was natural that his artistic manifesto chronicle the most defining moment in the city's modern history.
Produced by hometown heroes Ro Blvd (U-N-I), DJ Khalil (Eminem, Jay-Z, 50 Cent), Aaron Harris (Dr. Dre, Dead Prez), and THX (Murs, The Clipse, Mobb Deep), L.A. Riot relies heavily on live instrumentation that eschews samples without sacrificing the boom bap. "What do you Riot for?" is a central question to the music. It's a matter of importance and meaning— statement masquerading as a query; a movement smuggled through an album and carried out by a multimedia campaign, both online and off, which pays homage to the recent North African political uprisings.
Produced by longtime collaborator Ro Blvd, the first single "Los Angeles" was built around a jazzy horn riff, the beat—wide-open and sparse, anthemic and definitive, groundbreaking yet accessible–was a rapper's dream: the type of music that demands a statement. "This could be your 'Exhibit C'," said Ro, alluding to ascendant rap superstar Jay Electronica's Just Blaze-produced lyrical magnum opus. In paying respect to his hometown of Los Angeles Thurz had to go beyond the good times, palm tress and gangsta tropes, he had his fellow Los Angelenos call into his voicemail and leave one sentence definitions of the city. He wound up receiving over 100 messages of civic pride and observation—poetic, straight-forward, sentimental, braggadocios, complex, simple—that would anchor the song in place of hooks. He laid his rhymes as a skilled latticework of street bravado, ghetto art, sports franchises, and social commentary with the individual vocal drops of nearly twenty proud Los Angelenos articulating its borders. A movement had begun.
Musically, L.A Riot is an album that strives to stand for something and succeeds. "Niggas" uses an electric guitar and widely-sourced vocal snippets to create a discussion around the divisive n-word, race, self-hate and self-love, ending with the declaration: "F%#$ being a nigga, I'd rather be a king." "Home," featuring soul singer Aloe Blacc tackles the homelessness of Africans in America, debt slavery and cycles of families in the penitentiary system, showing the personal and political as one in the same. "Two Clips," featuring street-based singer-songwriter Kobe deals with patterns of recurring gang violence by dissecting the ideas of honor, loyalty, revenge and karma. Other guests include Black Thought of The Roots and Jive Recording R&B sensation Miguel.
Last month to commemorate the night of the Rodney King beating (March 3rd, 2011) Thurz released a grippingly haunting video clip transforming himself into the image of the beaten motorist (via makeup and computer effects). The song "Rodney King" off the upcoming album is a first-person perspective detailing King's night with acuteness—from the statistics of the basketball game he was watching, the drinks he threw back, the marijuana he smoked, the make and model of car he was driving; the chase through highways and residential areas through Lake View Terrace interspersed with King's parole worries; the relentless brutality captured on video by a plumber named George Holliday. And it's the events of that night which make "Rodney King" one of L.A. Riot’s most compelling songs, full of sentiment and anger, music and motion, ominously rising from the mundane and deepening into dark anger and ending as a beginning, Thurz raps: "Beware: This stormy black Monday will morph its way into a black plague of agony: broken glass, burning buildings coughing up black smoke. My pain will be a molotov cocktail of hope for all those who sit silent, listening, contemplating violence, awaiting their turn to play their part in the uprising we call Rodney King Riots."
The Riot starts here.
"BLOOD ON THE CANVAS" is on the way
Acura Legend
Thurz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well legend, legend, legend, legend
Legend and the ac, legend and the ac
Legend, legend, legend, legend
Legend and the ac, legend and the ac
Riding on my own, cruising like the down
Subwoofers on, clapping this song
Riding on my own, cruising like the down
I’m young I’m shooting hoes
The bad bitches said I was shootin
Inglewood it was the root of my youth
Too, that jesus saluting cadillacs, lexus, gs and acura
Legend coupe with the bosses,
To bumping dope rhythms and subwoofers bumpin through
That neighborhood
You know that common sense that they don’t teach in school
Learned a different type blue color workers
And I’m farm they soul
There go nigga with a rollex chain
And a fresh cool jays had to keep it cool
And they packign things like they shooting on range
And I’m pursuing cash, whoa
Everything that roll me, have to get it
Might be bromy, might get drafted like assignment
Bitches flock into this shiny watch
On your wrist might get you some trim
But do no kiss
That dope boy aura was a weapon
In that acura legend,
[Hook]
Well legend, legend, legend, legend
Legend and the ac, legend and the ac
Legend, legend, legend, legend
Legend and the act, legend and the act
Riding on my own, cruising like the down
Subwoofers on, clapping this song
Riding on my own, cruising like the down
Subwoofers on, clapping this song
Frehs man hunter, 2 door couping
Swoopin up behind ya, buck it we be moving
Through traffic, fresh take it
The homies they be acting, they go grab it, they paper
And to be all mess my jacket…for that stilish life we livin
32 engine, admission, …leather seats for that sitting
At the beaches, with the bitches on the throne
They wanna be sittin, how we do it, it was written
Haters sicken cause they vixin
Mix saliva with this dick and
The police always trippin
…since we dippin, when the club let out we dippin
That your chick I see you coughing
Don’t trip homie, it’s nothing
That armoro got me stuntin
Don’t be ride cause she wanna ride my
[Hook]
Well legend, legend, legend, legend
Legend and the ac, legend and the ac
Legend, legend, legend, legend
Legend and the act, legend and the act
Riding on my own, cruising like the down
Subwoofers on, clapping this song
Riding on my own, cruising like the down
Subwoofers on, clapping this song
Thurz's "Acura Legend" is an ode to the glory days of cruising around town in a classic car with the stereo system blasting music, feeling like a boss. The car in question is the Acura Legend, a luxury car that was popular in the 90s. The lyrics describe the nostalgia of Thurz's youth in Inglewood, California, where he learned street smarts and about the hustle to make money. The subwoofers thumping in the car reveal the power of music to elevate a mood and create a sense of freedom and escape.
The verses describe the energy of youth and ambition, with Thurz rapping about shooting his shot with girls and pursuing money as a means of survival. The reference to Jesus saluting cadillacs and other luxury cars highlights how the trappings of wealth can bring a sense of power and status in certain communities. The lyrics also touch on the tension between those who have and those who don't, with cops always tripping and haters trying to bring down those who are succeeding.
The chorus uses repetition to emphasize the theme of legendary status and pride in how one presents themselves. It is clear that for Thurz, the Acura Legend symbolizes not just a car, but a way of life and a swagger that sets him and his crew apart from the rest.
Line by Line Meaning
Well legend, legend, legend, legend
The singer is emphasizing the importance of the 'legend', which refers to his Acura Legend car.
Legend and the ac, legend and the ac
The singer is repeating the phrase to reinforce the connection between himself and his car, implying that they are almost one entity.
Riding on my own, cruising like the down
The singer is enjoying a leisurely drive by himself, enjoying the freedom that comes with driving his car.
Subwoofers on, clapping this song
The artist has turned up the volume on his car's sound system, enjoying the bass and the rhythm of the song he is listening to.
I’m young I’m shooting hoes
The artist is referring to himself as a 'young gun', ready to take on the world and make a name for himself.
The bad bitches said I was shootin
The singer has caught the attention of some attractive women, who are interested in him because of his perceived success and confidence.
Inglewood it was the root of my youth
The singer is from Inglewood, which has shaped his upbringing and experience growing up.
Too, that jesus saluting cadillacs, lexus, gs and acura
The artist is referencing other luxury brands and models of cars that are commonly associated with wealth and success.
Legend coupe with the bosses,
The artist is asserting his own success by driving a high-end Acura Legend, which he sees as a symbol of being a 'boss'.
To bumping dope rhythms and subwoofers bumpin through
The artist enjoys listening to music with heavy bass, which he can hear and feel clearly through the high-quality sound system in his car.
That neighborhood
The singer is referring to the area where he grew up, which has shaped his perspective on life and influenced his actions and decisions.
You know that common sense that they don’t teach in school
The artist is suggesting that some of the most important lessons in life can't be learned in a classroom, but rather through lived experience and observation of the world.
Learned a different type blue color workers
The singer has been exposed to a different kind of work and lifestyle than what is typically taught in school or valued in mainstream society.
And I’m farm they soul
The singer is saying that he is deeply rooted in his upbringing and the values and experiences that he has had in his life.
There go nigga with a rollex chain
The singer is describing someone he has seen wearing a luxury watch, which he sees as a sign of success and status.
And a fresh cool jays had to keep it cool
The artist is describing someone who is wearing high-end sneakers, and suggesting that it's important to stay calm and collected when encountering people with success or status symbols.
And they packign things like they shooting on range
The artist is referring to people who carry weapons or drugs, and suggesting that they have a sense of danger or bravado about them.
And I’m pursuing cash, whoa
The singer is emphasizing that he is focused on making money and being successful.
Everything that roll me, have to get it
The singer is saying that he is willing to work hard and make whatever effort is necessary to achieve his goals.
Might be bromy, might get drafted like assignment
The artist is saying that in order to achieve his goals, he might have to make sacrifices or take risks.
Bitches flock into this shiny watch
The artist is saying that attractive women are attracted to men who wear expensive watches or other symbols of success.
On your wrist might get you some trim
The artist is suggesting that wearing a luxury watch or other status symbol can have a tangible effect on one's romantic or sexual prospects.
That dope boy aura was a weapon
The singer is saying that the perceived success and status of being a 'dope boy' (e.g. a drug dealer) can be a powerful weapon.
In that acura legend,
The artist is suggesting that his Acura Legend adds to his 'dope boy aura' and overall success.
Frehs man hunter, 2 door couping
The singer is describing his Acura Legend, which he sees as a fresh, stylish, and attractive car.
Swoopin up behind ya, buck it we be moving
The singer is suggesting that his Acura Legend is fast and powerful, able to overtake other cars on the road.
Through traffic, fresh take it
The singer is describing how he is able to navigate traffic easily and confidently in his Acura Legend.
The homies they be acting, they go grab it, they paper
The artist's friends are also successful and working on making money and achieving their goals.
And to be all mess my jacket…for that stilish life we livin
The artist is referring to the importance of fashion and style in the lifestyle that he and his friends are striving for.
32 engine, admission, …leather seats for that sitting
The singer is highlighting the impressive features of his Acura Legend, including a powerful engine and comfortable leather seats.
At the beaches, with the bitches on the throne
The singer is describing a scene where he and his friends are at the beach with attractive women, who are treated like royalty.
They wanna be sittin, how we do it, it was written
The artist is suggesting that the lifestyle he and his friends are living is desirable and enviable, and that it is based on something innate or predetermined rather than something that can be easily taught or acquired.
Haters sicken cause they vixin
The artist is saying that people who are jealous or envious of his success or lifestyle become physically ill or upset.
Mix saliva with this dick and
The artist is using vulgar language to describe how he is superior to his haters or detractors, and implying that they would be willing to perform oral sex on him in order to share in his success.
The police always trippin
The singer is suggesting that he and his friends are frequently harassed or targeted by the police, even if they have done nothing wrong.
…since we dippin, when the club let out we dippin
The artist is saying that he and his friends leave quickly after leaving a club or social gathering, in order to avoid confrontation with police or other potential threats.
That your chick I see you coughing
The singer is saying that he has noticed someone who is interested in one of his friends' partners, and suggesting that he is better able to attract and keep women.
Don’t trip homie, it’s nothing
The singer is telling his friend not to worry or be upset about the situation, suggesting that he is confident in himself and his ability to attract and keep women.
That armoro got me stuntin
The singer is saying that he is wearing expensive clothing or accessories that contribute to his overall style and success.
Don’t be ride cause she wanna ride my
The artist is using suggestive language to imply that women are interested in him sexually, and telling his friend not to be jealous or upset about it.
Contributed by Josiah S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
KevinTheVillian
Even on a super banger beat he still manages to be lyrical. lol this is so beast.I had the older 89 Coupe
THURZ
Nice! You might've seen my Integra and 3.0CL all over LA a few years back. Crashed the 3.0 on the SHAW. I whipped the Legend with my Uncle and looking for a clean 94 coupe
Morningstar D
sick flow!
ed redd
Dope track...makes me miss my legend...fqck it ima get another one..just to drive around blastin this
BTHEGROWTH
Man. I can relate to this. My pops man he had 94 Acura legend 4 door and 93 legend coupe. Love that damn car
ondezws
All my years on the SHAW I had never seen your whip ....El Segundo Blvd to Stocker I'll keep my eye for that coupe just sold my Red 6speed now just got a pearl white auto my 11th coupe yeah been swoopin coupes since 96 " yeah when Lakers was at the Forum INGELWOOD, catch you in the gutter lane KEEP THE MUSIC COMIN!
Stefan Etim-James
Beast...that is all
BlakSuess
Good Music..
ㅇㅇ
great
It's Sick
I love my acura too, it aint a Legend tho. Integra Gsr 97, kicked in yo.