Someothaship Connect
In The Beginning (Vol.3) continues the deep dive into the early works of rapper Declaime and critically acclaimed producer Madlib. The album features previously unreleased materials and demos, offering a unique insight into Oxnard, California’s underground hip hop scene in the early nineties. The two are childhood friends and long-time collaborators, with the album featuring tracks recorded between 1993 and 1996, a golden age of west coast hip hop.
In The Beginning (Vol.3) is the rawest of the collection, showcasing Madlib’s early production skills, featuring plenty of funky and jazzy samples and some skilled scratching. For Declaime, it’s an opportunity to pay homage to his roots, honouring the city he grew up in, the record providing a snapshot of a particular place and period in hip hop history. There are appearances from fellow Oxnard rappers The Almighty Metaphor (MED), Roc C, God’s Gift, and DJ Romes, who mastered several of the tracks.
‘III Minded’, the album’s only single, is an early highlight, its hazy vibe and laid-back beats reminiscent of west coast legend Nas. ‘Laff Now Cry’ drifts into a more boom bap sound, with its pounding beats, but Declaime’s flow is languid, as he raps about the difficulty of growing up in the hood, his message “Sooner or later your day will come” could be interpreted as either a message of hope or a forewarning. There’s an early cassette demo of ‘Soitissaid’, which appeared on Declaime’s solo debut as Andsoitissaid, where he funked the track up.
‘Come with the III Grammar’ has a lo-fi aesthetic, with its looped vocals and scratching, Roc C bringing some braggadocious intent. The remixed ‘Why Do We Go Out Like That’ is a standout moment, filled with a crunchy crackle and a slightly ominous feel, which is appropriate to the track’s themes as Declaime examines black prejudice and laments black-on-black violence; “Black on black crime/it just has to end”. ‘Too Much Clout’ is a smoky, jazz-tinged affair featuring some of the nicest production on the record.
’12th Floor’ is a calm affair, with the gentle sound of the ocean in the background, while ‘Next Episode’ has a menacing air, with its bass heavy beat, with Christopher McCray bringing some strong energy and biting wordplay; “pre-cut or corrupt its the American dream”. The DJ Romes and MED-featured ‘Ass Will Get Dropped’ drifts back into jazzy territory before the soulful ‘Rollem Right’; another track that featured later in Declaime’s solo career.
One criticism of the album could be the number of intros that feature throughout, which can feel a little like filler. However, the album provides a beautiful nostalgic journey to hip hop’s bygone era with it’s minimal production and excellent use of samples. The album demonstrates that Madlib had an immense amount of talent even at a young age, which merges nicely with Declaime’s laid-back flow. It’s a must-listen for any 90s hip hop fans.