Hey all, a few days ago we introduced ‘Fan Posts‘ for a number of reasons. We have been receiving a lot of requests from readers to write up some music for metro jolt, and naturally we want to support this kind of enthusiasm from our readers. I’m not trying to pretend I know all the good music out there. The issue that came with these requests was a logistical one. We cant have a ton of authors on the metropolitan jolt with just a post of two, thus ‘Fan Posts‘ arose. You can check out the logistics on the page, but for now, on to the music:
Grew up in the bay so im down to earth
Live in la that means im down with work
Got a laid back style but i like to floss it
Vans and Chucks inside my closet
This infamous bay to la crew started out in 94 with 3 MCs who called themselves the Mystic Journeymen selling tapes out of their trunks in east oakland. The next year they met The Grouch and then quickly joined with the 3 Melancholy Gypsys to form the Living Legends. The group now includes Aesop, Bicasso, Eligh, the Grouch, LuckyIAM, MURS, Scarub, and Sunspot Jonz. Since their creation they have sold over 300,000 albums independently through their solo projects and self-created label Legendary Music.
This first track is one that anyone who listens to rap in the bay area would know. Bay to LA is created by my two favorite Legends, the Grouch and Murs. You probably recognize The Grouch from the album Heroes in the City of Dope that he did with Zion I. The next two tracks include every member of Living Legends and are possibly the group’s best two songs. The deep but not self righteous lyrics over complex yet chill beats warps your emotions into feeling what they express. No matter how many times you’ve heard them, listen to the lyrics again.
Comin up is a Grouch and Eligh track featuring the Bay’s Mistah FAB. Mistah FAB’s verse kills it, showing his deeper contemplative side. It was released following the shooting of Oscar Grant. Breath is a solo project by The Grouch with the legendary oakland dj, Dj Fresh. It’s one of my favorite Grouch songs and a great song to smoke a blunt to.
The last three songs are examples of the Living Legends upbeat tracks. Another Day has a happy spring afternoon beat so put it on when you find yourself in that right state of mind. After hours is a song I save for coming back at home at 5 in the morning when my eyes are red and scratchy and a pale dawn is just starting a good ass day. Finally, Purple Kush is my favorite song ever. I’ve listened to it for years, and even though its incredibly short, only two verses, it is living legends.
Out in Hollywood I grew up in the Oakland hood
Eating with the rats praying god would make it all good
But that didnt work so I had to do it on my own
Couldnt move bricks like my friends that were dead and gone
Thats a sucker role you were way too young to go
But growing up in the O you slang or you hustle
-Jesse
The Bay to LA – The Grouch Ft. Murs
Breath – The Grouch with Dj Fresh
