Three Times Dope

Most old school heads already know abot the Philadelphia trio known as Three Times Dope. When they dropped their debut, they were down with the Hilltop Hustlers posse (wait, who says "posse" anymore?) that included the likes of Cool C., Steady B., DJ Tat Money. And before Tat Money showed up, there was DJ Grand Dragon. Anyway, the Hilltop Hustlers dropped a lot of dope, underrated material during the mid to late 80's and the early 90's. Steady B was probably the most popular of the whole crew, but I think Three Times Dope dropped the best album of the whole crew.









Original Stylin' [1989 Arista Records]

1. Greatest Man Alive
2. Original Stylin'
3. Funky Dividends
4. Improvin' Da Groovin'
5. Increase The Peace/What's Going On
6. From Da Giddy Up
7. Once More You Hear the Dope Stuff
8. Believe Dat
9. Straight Up
10. Who Is This?
11. Crushin n' Bussin [Remix] feat. Cool C.
12. Joe Familiar

Unfortunately, the Hilltop Hustlers crew would dissolve after a falling out and 3xD kind of changed things up for the second album. While the sound doesn't stick as closely to the b-boy script, and despite having one of the dumbest album titles and lamest attempts at slang integration in rap history (what the fuck does "Acknickulous" mean anyway?), it's still a decent listen...but the first album is an undeniable classic in my book and this one falls kind of short when compared to it. They did manage to drop a third album called "The Sequel" and, from what I've been able to gather, it's solid, but not up to the previous 3xD standard. I'll have to find that album and take a listen for myself. In the meanwhile, enjoy these two great albums...







Live From Acknickulous Land

1. Return Home (Intro-Mission)
2. Mr. Sandman
3. Mellow But Smooth
4. Weak At The Knees
5. No Words
6. Make Ya $
7. In Effect
8. 10 Lil' Sucka Emceez
9. Make Dat Move
10. I Ain't Tryin' 2 Hear It
11. Peace Ya' Self
12. I Got It
13. Do U Wanna C It
14. Live!!! From Acknickulous Land