Many fans of underground artists fear the day their favorite musician takes the plunge and goes mainstream. They fear that because time and time again they are shown that more money and higher production values don’t always equate to better music.

Underground hip-hop legend Murs, member of the California-based group Living Legends, has taken that plunge and definitely come up breathing.

Always loyal to his roots, Murs’ seventh album, “Murs for President,” has created inspiring and meaningful lyrics that are as politically charged as they are true to life. The only difference between this album and his previous work is that this one has been released on Warner Brothers Records. That’s right, a major label.

Don’t let that fool you though, there is certainly a reason he is on a major label now and that is due to his talent. Murs has prided himself through his work as being an honest writer, telling stories of his youth growing up in the gang-infested streets of L.A., and rapping about relationships rather than just women.

One of the last songs, “Break Up” is about just that, breaking up. Murs raps about his regret over breaking up with his girlfriend, which really does hit home for anyone who has been broken up with or done the breaking up. Because, he talks about all the good things they used to have in their relationship and goes through denial of wanting her back. Then, he ultimately realizes that despite their problems she is the only one he wants.

There is a more serious side to this album as well. On “Think You Know Me,” Murs raps about three different people and how they’ve been stereotyped by society each in their own way.

Each scenario starts off with a description of the man, “Blue Chuck Taylors, blue Dodger hot, 85′ Regal, my daughter in the back” then follows with the hook, “I’m just a gangsta to most ya all.”

Then he goes on to describe the normal things these men try to do and how because of their appearances and the area they live in, they are misjudged by society. The rest of the song tells the story of an ex-con who can’t get a job despite his high qualifications because of his prison experience. The third is a man who looks like a tattooed menace to society but is really a tattoo artist who has a family he lovingly provides for.

Something else Murs has been able to do on his new label is bring in a little extra talent. Guest rappers will.I.am and Snoop Dogg appear on two of the tracks lending their considerable star power to an already solid album.

Murs makes his bid for hip-hop presidency. He has the skill, the drive and the right mindset to show America what real hip-hop is all about.

“Ya know, I try to make my tomorrows better than my yesterdays, without hurting anyone else in the process. If you leave the world a better place then it was when you got here, then we all win.”

Matt Rascher can be reached at [email protected]