Although 3rd Bass didn't fully realize their tremendous potential, the Brooklyn rappers offered enjoyable, if uneven, albums. Like the group's 1989 debut, their second and final album, Derelicts of Dialect, makes it clear that the MCs weren't aiming for the pop charts -- and were loyal only to the hip-hop hardcore. When MC Serch and Pete Nice tear into such aggressive and forceful declarations as "Pop Goes the Weasel" (an inflammatory attack on Vanilla Ice), "Portrait of the Artist as a Hood," and "Ace in the Hole," it's clear why they were among the few white MCs who were successful in the young black community -- someone who heard their rapping without seeing their picture could easily assume they were black. Although the goofy "Herbalz in Your Mouth" shows some De La Soul and Tribe Called Quest influence, 3rd Bass don't allow themselves to be nearly as lighthearted, and keep things hardcore and intense. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
Track List
(try tracks 2,3,5,6,8,9,10,11,13,14,16,17,18 and 21)
3rd Bass were hardly hardcore. The raps were always solid and both of the MCs were anomalies in their ability to mimic Afro-centric culture and come off looking cool. I always loved Search’s humor and Pete Nice's swagger. The dude smoked cigars and walked with a pimp cane. Both of the men were really thoughtful, funny lyricists.
On the production front, Prince Paul and Sam Sever made some of the best backing tracks in early 90s hip hop.