Review Summary: great alt hip hop
This San Fran duo have always been a pair that push the envelope out when it comes to creating new Hip Hop unafraid to step into new frontiers and this is no exception.
Amp Live has always been a bold producer, at the forefront of its inception but never quite being part of the hyphy scene he has been creating smart hip hop for ZION I for time now. His real crossover appeal woke the world when he released the free download of Radiohead’s ‘In Rainbows’ sampling parts and recreating Hip Hop to brilliant effect. Eligh on the other hand had always released solid music but always seemed to sound like fellow Living Legend The Grouch, often lying in his shadow. Recently Eligh has opened up defining himself in new area, particularly standing out with a collaboration album with his mum which was… awesome actually. Therapy at 3 continues to burst forward Eligh as his own in his boldest performance yet.
This isn’t post hyphy or part of any scene, it’s an album that stands out alone with its own unique sound like something we should expect to hear in another 5 years. Beats rumble and evolve, moving in new directions, forging through traditional structures and throwing the blue print out the window. Therapy at 3 doesn’t make tracks it creates songs, songs in a progressive style while still being 100% Hip Hop. There is no ‘back pack rap’ snide micky taking of the genre that has recently occurred on the alternative Hip Hop scene, this is two artists doing what they do best.
Even with a great producer, in Hip Hop its all about the MC, and boy does Eligh deliver. As a fan of the MC for years I have never heard Eligh sound so confident. His flow rumbles along with his deep voice smoothly hopping on the beat, both double time and normal with brilliant wordplay, rhyme patterns, so good that you often find yourself smiling at just how good he is.
If purists ignore albums like this they will end up constantly beating a dead horse. This is what evolution sounds like and is important to embrace. A sure fire classic 9/10
