Posted: Tuesday 5th August 2008

Reviewed by Matt Ojar

Hip-Hop groups generally have become a thing of the past, mostly individual Hip-Hop acts dominate the world of modern Hip-Hop. It could be related to the decline in music and people’s general greed to collect all royalties. One thing is known Hip-Hop groups always make an impact, usually it’s the extreme differences between the rhyming styles and personalities that make Hip-Hop groups so electrifying. Living Legend appear at a time when the heavyweights have already came and made their varying marks: Run DMC, Wu-Tang Clan. NWA and most recently D-12. Because of the lack of competition it is quite likely comparisons are drawn to these groups when measuring the kudos of any new Hip-Hop.

Do Living Legends live up to Hip-Hop’s super group standards? in a word; no.

Living Legends’ sound is a mixture of different styles and influences (having eight members will generally do that). The best way to describe their sound is Wu-Tang Clan meets Outkast meets Common. Living Legends are attempting to be a revoultion for Hip-Hop in that they want to shine a light and carry the torch for real ‘legitimate’ Artists. The first song The Gathering showcases their varying styles and is an appropriate opening to a refreshing experience. The first beat is very eerie, crisp snare and menacing bass line. The energy level of The Gathering is set at this point. The track although 5:18 long never loses it’s momentum. Eight MCS appear on every song, that alone makes it worth a listen to. Eight different personalities and styles merge together to create Living Legends. Already questions begin to form about this group’s identity, their look, we can’t help it, we are programmed to buy into a full package. So I decide to go on you tube and locate their only video thus far off of this release: ‘She Wants Me’. I am greeted with generic looking guys, apart from the guy with the dreads, and what dreads he has! A portion of them stand on their head like Cameron Diaz in ‘There’s something about Mary’….interesting. Initial impressions are that they don’t come across as wannabes. Just hardcore ‘5 element’ ‘Hip-Hop’ guys with not much of a look. The moniker Living Legends alone is a name that makes you wonder are they all what they boast to be. Nonetheless initial impressions of the overall package don’t sit too well despite the great energies and flows on the first song.

She Wants Me is the second song off of The Gathering, which is in all honesty an infectious song, however it has distinct elements of Eminem and D-12. It reminds me of My Band by D-12, just a little more legitimate and less tacky. This is a good song and sounds worthy of a single release.

The third song Pants on Fire is a cynical shot at the world, and the lies that are told to common folk supposedly as Living Legends have been lied, pretty average and a lot of heard it all before we hate our Country’s ideals gab. Fourth number ‘War and Peace’ follows a similar line, it looks at the ideals of Street/Hip-Hop uniting to take out the establishment. It also airs views of discontent towards War and the casualties of it. Not necessarily groundbreaking but a pretty good rhythmic song with a definite ‘listen to me’ ability. Other love related ideas are explored in Love Changer and After Hours showcasing Living Legends’ unique ability to discuss subjects in an unconventional way. The biggest non event of the project is Samba which is really not clear about it’s intentions and sticks out as the worst offering, which still flow wise is pretty good.

Living Legends represent reality, energy and an alternative to the norm mainstream ’what’s hot now’ Hip-Hop.

Living Legends definitely lack no skill, they are talented, the flows and deliveries are all unique enough to recognise. By the end of the cd however I cannot set them all apart, the personalities don‘t appear to be strong enough to help us determine who everybody is. The result of the mix is definitely a unique cocktail, it’s difficult to pinpoint the sound, they cover all flow bases and lyrical ability. It’s nearly guaranteed that you will like somebody within Living Legends. They are the result of a lot of experiences, more head nodding and not enough considerably different depth, old school Hip-Hop feel where everybody takes a turn and is more about flow and lyrical wit in putting together lyrics. They Sound great on tracks and flow seamlessly blending nicely with the music. They also have a lot of different atmospheres on The Gathering, hardcore to nice relaxed almost Jazzy Hip-Hop.

Beat quality of all the music is good, crisp and the Production values definitely show. Generally I’d have to say quite a good effort, nice mix of styles and beats to keep you interested. Not sure if the personalities are strong enough or unique enough to foster enough interest. It’s basically like witnessing a musical Hip-Hop debate with different perspectives on a range of subjects. This makes them continuously interesting to listen to. Their unique selling point as a group most likely comes from songs like Pants On Fire and War & Peace these showcase their political ideals, mostly which is seen from the usual, lack of love for Corporate and middle America. Even though they have an anti-establishment theme that they feel is representative of the Streets and the culture of Hip-Hop. Within the same project they venture into mediocrity lyrically and the same Hip-Hop perspectives about interest in loose Women, drugs and ‘real’ people. Refreshingly the order of the day is not War, in fact in War & Peace they introduce the ideal of Hip-Hop/Street Communities coming together in peace to make war against the establishment. At least you leave ‘The Gathering’ clear, very clear about their views, their perspectives and abilities. Essentially Living Legends are 100% Hip-Hop, their styles lie decidedly in the old school. But they attempt new school ideas. Generally the feel is conscious trying to be cool, it is pulled off, but with a gnawing sensation in the back of your mind that questions you asking are ’Living Legends’ conscious cover-ups that would be more comfortable in the world of Common and Dilated Peoples? Essentially you can feel the five foundation elements of Hip-Hop within their work.

Living Legends are good, The Gathering is a viable concept. But something is missing, maybe it is extreme personalities, maybe it is controversy, something just does not grab you and demand that you listen. But from a Hip-Hop success perspective all is in place, but yet it misses the mark for me as something worthy of a consistent repeat listen. Technically all is spot on, but they are definitely not something to shout out about from the rooftops. Definitely better than average, a lot more original and well delivered. Perfect for Hip-Hop credibility, but the crossover ability, which you get a sense their aiming for is not that strong. Great for deep listening and Hip-Hop heads, just not really for the club audience, not really for the Car and maybe not for the masses.