Paid Dues is an urban event presented by Murs 3:16 in association with Guerilla Union. There’s a vibrant rap scene with advanced lyricism, stinging political commentary and quality DJ performances that continues to flourish in a seemingly parallel universe, largely shunned by the mainstream media. On March 11th, 2006 the first Paid Dues festival sold out, with over 5,000 concert goers packing the Shrine Expo Center in Los Angeles. The line-up for the Paid Dues 2006 Festival included the debut live performance from Felt (Murs [Living Legends] w/ Slug & Ant [Atmosphere]), Aesop Rock, Living Legends, El-P, Hangar 18, Brother Ali, Cage, Grouch, Blueprint, 3MG, 2 Mex, Chingo Bling along with DJ Rhettmatic and Mr. Dibbs. Each act showcased their talents and exuded love for their art and the culture around it.
MURS is an underground MC. He is signed to Record Collection Records and is a member of both the rap groups Living Legends and the 3 Melancholy Gypsies, and previously the "elusive" Log Cabin crew. Murs is not your average MC—he’s your way-above-average MC. And he knows it. “I don’t think anybody out there is rapping like I rap here,” Murs says of his blazing new album, Murray’s Revenge—his latest collaboration with superstar producer 9th Wonder. Indeed, it’s no idle boast—from Murray’s Revenge’s manifesto-like opener “Murs Day,” the Los Angeles born and bred MC anoints himself “the one chosen to break up the ice that got the rap world frozen,” and he doesn’t disappoint. For one, after a staunch career in the indie trenches, Murray’s Revenge is Murs’ first release on LA based record label Record Collection after two albums on the legendary “undie” label Def Jux; for another, he doesn’t swear or use the n-word on the whole record
