3rd Bass
3rd Bass
In 1986, white rapper Lord Scotch introduced Peter ‘Pete Nice’ Nash to Michael ‘MC Serch’ Berrin at the famous NY nightclub Latin Quarter. At the time, Pete Nice hosted a hip hop radio show on Columbia University’s radio station with Richard “Richie Rich” Lawson. The three began performing as 3 the Hard Way, later calling themselves 3rd Bass. They soon signed with Def Jam Records.
3rd Bass released their first single without any press photos or interviews to intentionally hide the fact both rappers were white. After a writer from The Village Voice exposed them, the group quickly became “the first critically respected white hip-hop group since the Beastie Boys”.
“Steppin' To The A.M.” and “The Gas Face” both peaked at #5 on the US Rap Chart and The Cactus Album was certified Gold within six months. Overseas, those two singles plus “Brookyn-Queens” achieved modest success in the UK. In New Zealand, “The Gas Face” and “Brooklyn-Queens” were both top 40 hits. Years later, The Source would name The Cactus Album as one of the 100 Best Rap Albums.