3rd Bass reuniting, playing Brooklyn show (first in 13 years) with Mr. MFN eXquire; JJ Doom has a new single/video

by Fred Pessaro

Zev Love X (left) with 3rd Bass

In their time, 3rd Bass was one of a small number of white hip-hop artists to achieve wide acceptance in the larger community. Following the Beastie Boys, 3rd Bass proved that white hip-hop wasn’t going to become a watered-down, commercial rip-off of the art, as many white interpretations of black music had been in the past. They possessed a well-developed lyrical technique and were respectfully well versed in hip-hop culture and tradition. They helped set the tone for the way white rappers could credibly and intelligently approach the music, and despite staying together for only two albums, they managed to create a highly positive lasting impact.-[3rd Bass bio]

Thirteen years in the making, early-90s Def Jam favorites 3rd Bass will return from the grave to headline a show at SRB Brooklyn on July 12 (14th and 2nd Ave in Brooklyn) part of a bill that also includes Mr. MFN eXquire (who recently dropped the Kismet mixtape), B.I.C., Timeless Truth and DJ Boogie Blind. Tickets are on sale.

3rd Bass is partially responsible for the ascension of KMD, who featured a young Zev Love X on the classic track “The Gas Face.” As you may or may not know, Zev Love X went on to go underground, eventually donning a mask and calling him MF Doom. MF Doom is continuing his collaboration with Jneiro Jarel called JJ Doom, and you can check out the video for new single “Bookhead” below.

Look back with some classic videos: “The Gas Face” with Zev Love X/MF Doom, “Pop Goes the Weasel” featuring Henry Rollins as Vanilla Ice, and one of the first recorded appearances from Nas on MC Serch’s “Back to Grill.” Watch them below.

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