Third Frame
When God created hip hop, it would seem He felt that Fort Wayne was not ready for the majesty and mystery of that sacred form of music. It would also seem He saw fit for nature to take care of Fort Wayne’s scene, allowing only the fittest of local hip-hop artists to survive and, more importantly, to evolve. Now, Fort Wayne can see for itself that its own Third Frame is that group fittest to survive when the band opens April 11 for Snoop Dogg at Piere’s.
Ry-Guy, Third Frame’s MC, said, “That night we are going to play all original stuff from our new CD. It is available the 19th or 20th, but we might pull it out of the bag that night, too.”
And what a show it will be. With Third Frame’s sophomore album Absorb the Orb being released about a week later, the group said they feel the Snoop Dogg show will be a release of all the hard work that they have put into this project.
DJ Ackshun said, “A lot of the music and composing of the first album was more of ‘go along with what you feel’ since it was our freshman album. A lot more thought process went into this album than in our first one.”
I have heard samples from Absorb the Orb that this trio of fun and friendly guys graciously let me listen to, and I must say their time, money and effort have created a superb product. The listener cannot but help falling into the beat of the songs with what the band called the “affirmative nod.”
This album is an indication of where hip-hop music is going in the new millennium, where themes can vary from the sentimental to the futuristic.
Their ability to remain professional in producing an album, and still create an album that is the perfect soundtrack for any party, is what has made Third Frame a band in big demand.
Even though there are not many hip-hop artists in Fort Wayne, this act sets the standard of how the entire local music scene should operate, which is having a good attitude and making good music. Still, Third Frame made it clear that it seems they may be the only hip-hop act around the Summit City.
Deluxe MC said, “I think that the scene is pretty close to the same as a couple years ago, if there are other people out there, I am not hearing them.”
Third Frame would love an opportunity to have a jam night with local hip-hop artists and turn Fort Wayne on to great original hip-hop music, but they just do not hear about any other original hip-hop acts.
“We are the ones who are actually out there doing it,” Ackshun said, “and a lot of people like it, I mean a lot of people enjoy it. But, there are some people who just don’t get it and that is primarily because we are out there doing something that nobody else is doing, and you have to have respect for a lot of what we are trying to do.”
Even though there might not be a hip-hop- friendly scene in Fort Wayne, Third Frame have won the respect of local bands Strut Train, the Chronics and Northern Kind. The Chronics, with the Wailhounds, will perform with Third Frame at their CD release party April 19 and Strut Train will perform with them on April 20th; both shows will be at Legend’s Sports Bar.
Ackshun said, “We don’t normally play with bands that are cover bands. The majority of the original music bands in town are just awesome to us. We are out working hard, giving every show everything we have to give, so we have nothing but love for all the original groups in Fort Wayne.”
I could tell from what I heard of Third Frame’s new album that they pride themselves on their originality. They do not feel they must walk down the dark chasm of gansta rap, or represent hip hop in any way that is darker in nature — where it seems so many hip-hop artists feel they need to go for inspiration. Instead, Third Frame uplift the audience with songs that make the listener want to just smile.
Having a good time is very important to Third Frame, and they make sure the good times keep rolling to the listener. And, with a tour in sight to places such as Detroit and Chicago, Third Frame are going to make sure many more listeners experience the good time as so many Fort Wayne residents have.
“This album is going to turn a lot of people on,” Deluxe said, adding that they are already getting ready for the third album.
Ry-Guy said, “This is the one. We are all so proud of this album and I haven’t got tired of listening to it, and I have heard it a lot.”
Deluxe equated Absorb the Orb to the treasured albums in everyone’s history, when it does not matter how many times a person hears the album; they never want to stop listening. For Third Frame and their fans, Absorb the Orb is going to be one of those albums.
Deriving much of their inspiration from underground hip hop, Third Frame have found the joys of trying not to sound like every other hip-hop act. While commercial success could be imminent for them, they would not give up their roots in old school hip hop and original underground material.
“We don’t need to worry about comparing ourselves to anyone that is out there, I mean it is kind of pointless,” Ackshun said. “If people dig the new album that is cool and if they don’t, well, that is cool, too. But, as far as it goes with us, I think what we listen to is at least six months to two years ahead of what everyone else is listening to.”
At the Snoop Dogg show on April 11, fans can see the climax of all the originality and influences that made up Third Frame’s Absorb the Orb. Their enthusiasm is justified with this album because it surpasses the hype that even the band is making about it. It is a work of party art made by artists who know exactly how to make such a piece.
Listening to this album makes me want to go out and make music, just like all good music does. It is probably one of the best locally-produced albums I have heard, and it may have some competition in the near future when word about Third Frame gets out and they inspire more artists to make music.
But, for the time being, it’s one of the best out there and truly the fittest to survive.
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