Locksmith & Murs Are Stars Who Shine Brightly By Being True To Themselves
Late last year, Locksmith delivered Ali. It was his fourth solo studio album and one of his more well-rounded efforts. One of the standout tracks on the project was “Stars,” featuring Murs, and it told a very interesting and personal story about Richmond, California-born MC and how he’s navigated the music business over the years, including when he steered away from a potential Aftermath deal from Dr. Dre four years ago.
“In 2015 I met Dr. Dre / He told me come to the studio, I was on my way,” he raps to open the song. “A beach house that was overlooking the ocean / I should’ve been celebrating, instead had mixed emotions / On the terrace with Xzibit exhibiting what defines me / Deep down inside I’m like, ‘I hope he doesn’t ask to sign me’ / ‘Cause there’s no way I can turn down an idol / But carving my own lane to sustain, I know it’s vital / I would rival with my thoughts, am I sabotaging myself? / I could stay independent or sit on somebody’s shelf / F*ck that, I’m hardheaded, I threaded my own needle / Stitched my own career and gave fear a upheaval / If I listen to people I’ll be deeper in the red / Instead bet on myself and learned to keep myself fed.”
Locksmith’s State Of The Rap Union Address Is A Fiery Freestyle
The video is straightforward and shows Locksmith in an abandoned warehouse complete with wooden crates and dim lighting. The two trade tales of temptation and how different situations could’ve ruined what they’ve each build for themselves.
For Murs, it was his neighborhood that impacted him heavily. “Cricket told me I should find me one to wish upon / I was sittin’ home, spittin’ poems into my dictophone,” he raps. “Live from the block that my homeboys was Crippin’ on / Tryna make a dollar out of 50, they said, ‘Get the chrome!’ / Gang bangers testin’ me, gave me crack recipes / Found a different way to eat, the streets was not my destiny.”
Murs & 9th Wonder Have Recorded Their 7th Collabo Album. It’s Coming Soon
Locksmith released Ali, titled after his middle name, on December 7, 2018. The project, aside from Murs, features Jedi Mind Tricks’ Vinnie Paz and Jarren Benton. In January, Locksmith appeared on DJ Kay Slay’s Shade 45 program and kicked some pretty vicious bars about the state of the Rap union. Last year, Murs partnered with Strange Music’s Michael “Seven” Summers for A Strange Journey Into The Unimaginable.
These two MCs are going on the road together this season:
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