The Livin' Legend

“The Dirty South Is here. Nashville, TN, and I’m Nashville’s real Don Dotta! It was a long time coming, but it’s here now, and it's all good!” The Livin’ Legend announces at the start of this interview, sitting flanked by an entourage, which includes Kingpin Skinny Pimp from Memphis and members of the G-Unit South. Other platinum Cashville artist, including Young Buck and Haystack, at one point in time literally dominated the city's underground rap scene before going on to become national superstars. Next up to bat is The Livin’ Legend, Cashvilles’ current underground rap kingpin. The Livin’ Legend has been ruling the underground scene with respect for raps past, while advancing the future of “gansta music” in novel directions. He demonstrates rare versatility and skill while flowing over unconventional beats containing both traditional hip-hop and live instrumentation. These tracks can be found on Livin’ Legends’ new albums “Pimp Poetry,” “Uncut Dope,” and “A Whole Nutha Level” which was produced by Chris Sevier (Eliot Morris, The Rewinds, Matt Woods, Chance), AKA the Rick Rubben of Nashville, and will be released by Severe Records LLC in the summer of 2007. The Livin’ Legend carries himself with a balance of smoothness and toughness, which is undoubtedly reflected throughout his album. And while some members of his target audience assert that his music is “cold,” “hard,” or “bumpin,” I call it “amazing.” Because he is known and respected throughout the South for his skill and finesse on the microphone, The Livin’ Legend legitimately earned his name as a true “legend” of the rap game. His title was given to him by his “homies from the hood,” but not only for his superior talents, but also for his unsurpassed dealings with money, hustling, and pimpin’. No other underground artist in Tennessee has been featured with as many platinum selling super-stars as The Livin’ Legend. This list includesYoung Buck, Juvenile, Pastor Troy, Bun-B, Hay Stack, Eight Ball and MGJ and Lil Flip. Most of these featured artists elected to “flow” on his tracks out of respect for his craft and potential. Recent evidence of their support was demonstrated by Lil Flips’ numerous “shout outs to The Livin’ Legend” on BET and at the 2007 SXSW conference, where Bun-B pulled The Livin’ Legend on stage during the middle of his sold out show to announced that “The Livin’ Legend was going to be taking over this bitch.” And as if music was not enough, The Livin' Legend was also a featured star in the box office movie “Rest In Peace Cuervo Jones,” where he got to play himself – an unstoppable gansta with a formidable attitude.