The multifaceted talents of the eight different members of Living Legends (Aesop, Bicasso, Eligh, The Grouch, Luckyiam PSC, MURS, Sacrub and Sunspot Jonz) make the group fully capable of headlining a hip-hop show. The Paid Dues Festival is an annual independent hip-hop event with more than just one headliner.

Listening to good music in the southern California sun, through the golden sunset (behind the stage) and into the night drew thousands of excited fans.

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The Living Legends is one of the few groups with the repertoire and enthusiasm to prepare the audience for a Tech N9ne experience.

As Tech N9ne performed each one of his tracks, the stacks of speakers pushed the bass so hard it was as if they were wave machines forcing the crowd to flow like the ocean current. This response by the crowd and his hard work is why Tech N9ne is always on demand and on tour.

With the three of them, Tech, Krizz Kaliko and Kutt Calhoun, swirling around on stage, they made it difficult not to feel the magnetism towards their music.

The raw power of Tech N9ne’s music and performance was equaled by Atmosphere’s passionate, sometimes witty, story lined, funky beats. Tech had the crowd bouncing and chanting to the beat and then Atmosphere had them on an emotional roller coaster.

The lights were dim as Slug walked in. It was if the open air Events Center had been closed in and you were sitting across from a friend. He thanked MURS for throwing the party and the audience for attending. Then Ant started the music with Slug and the fans (you could clearly hear female voices) sang along, singing heartfelt songs like “Godlovesugly.”

As their performance gained momentum Slug invited Brother Ali on stage to ollaborate. Then MURS replaced Brother Ali on stage and along with Slug, they started dancing and jumping around like fools, to the beat. They love playing music and it was like watching kids having fun.

After a few more songs and the announcement of Felt 3, MURS left and Atmosphere started to wrap up the evening with a selected number of somber songs. It was the end of a terrific day.

Guest Writer Daniel Krystosek