Continuing the Legend

The city of detroit has created more pop music stars than any other city in America. Don't believe me? Ever heard of John Lee Hooker, Alice Cooper, Bob Seger, Della Reese, Iggy and the Stooges, Grand Funk Railroad, Ted Nugent, Kid Rock, The White Stripes, Eminem, Aaliyah, Anita Baker, Madonna... do I even have to mention Motown Records? Sadly, some of the music ceased with the recent passing of Jay Dilla and Proof but there are countless other musicians from the Motor City that plan on continuing the legacy laid out before them. Enter MaGestiK LeGenD, one half of the group SECURITY.

"I would say I encompass just a small piece of the sound of Detroit. I think Detroit is very misunderstood right now. Detroit has a million and one different flavors of artist that haven't been heard yet. Unfortunately the sound of an area is usually defined by the few commercially successful artist from that area. To me Detroit is a melting pot of diverse talent. Hopefully in the coming years we can get more music to the forefront to paint a more accurate picture of what we have to offer."

LeGenD, along with his partner One Be Lo who is a underground star in his own right, created the foundation for their current project.

"I think that due to the countless shows and songs (whether solo or crew) we have done together we have an undeniable chemistry. We both Mc and produce which gives us both more of a hands on approach with creating a song. We both have a similar spiritual outlook which adds to the chemistry. We both as artist are pretty well rounded when it comes to concepts and subject matter... so you never know what to expect."

In high school MaGestiK LeGenD became a member of the group 9-2-5 Colony, consisting of Nick Speed and Elzhi (of Slum Village). 9-2-5 Colony gave him a chance to not only MC but to try his hand at production. As he states in the song "Raisin in the sun" "I had to make beats, was too broke to buy beats." Nick Speed eventually introduced MaGestiK to One.Be.Lo
(then One Man Army from Binary Star) and eventually became a part of Subterraneous Records and also a part of the label's production team the Trackezoids.

"Early on I was influenced and inspired by artists like LL Cool J, Slick Rick, Ice Cube, Snoop, Outkast, Gangstarr, Pete Rock and CL Smooth, Pharcyde, E-40, Kool G Rap, WU-Tang, Organized Konfusion, A Tribe Called Quest, KRS One, Rakim, Salt N Pepa... I could go on for days. I used to really look up to [Proof] in the glory days of the Hip-Hop Shop. Dude put
in a lot of work for Detroit music and really impressed me with is knack at staying down to earth. Nowadays I would say I'm less of a fan of this time period of music we live in. So other than old favorites, my current influences are the m. c.'s and producers in my musical family.. Subterraneous Records."

From the start MaG has had lofty ideas for himself and his career. His name is a clear testament of that.

"I always say that my name is a goal in itself. I think certain people in the past were blessed to have a good story to leave behind. A story that you can learn from and use as a positive example. To me this defines a "Majestic Legend". People like Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Jesus, Noah, Rosa Parks etc. to me have "Majestic Legends". Since my music is recorded, and probably will be around long after I'm dead, I try to make sure I lace my songs with words that will have a positive impact on your life. "

MaGestiK LeGenD is currently hard at work on his highly anticipated debut album "TheMe Muzik." Always the team player, his main focus though is on the SECURITY album that will be released soon on Subterraneous Records. Welcome to Detroit.

Lee H. Tillman is a Los Angeles based MC/writer. For more information go to calogerodean.com