3rd Bass was one of a sti… Read Full Bio ↴For the French trance act, see Third Bass.
3rd Bass was one of a still-small number of white hip hop artists to achieve wide acceptance in the larger community. Along with the Beastie Boys, 3rd Bass proved that white hip hop wasn't necessarily going to become a watered-down, commercially exploitative rip-off of the genuine article, as so many white interpretations of black musical forms had been in the past. Instead, they were possessed of 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 was formed by Queens-born MC Serch (born Michael Berrin) and Brooklyn-native Prime Minister Pete Nice (born Pete Nash), along with African-American DJ Richie Rich (born Richard Lawson). Nice had been an English major at Columbia University and hosted a short-lived hip hop show on radio station WKCR. Serch, meanwhile, had honed his skills battle-rapping at clubs and block parties and had previously released a solo single called "Hey Boy" on the small independent Idlers label. Both Serch and Nice were working as solo acts until producer Sam Sever convinced the two 20 year olds to join forces in 1987. Along with Prince Paul and the Bomb Squad, Sever produced their 1989 Def Jam debut, The Cactus Album (aka Cee/D), which was greeted with enthusiastic reviews in most quarters. Clever, good-humored singles like "The Gas Face" featured Zev Love X (later known as the great MF Doom) from KMD first appearance, "Steppin' to the A.M.," and "Brooklyn-Queens" helped make 3rd Bass's name in the hip hop underground. They followed it in 1991 with Derelicts of Dialect, which featured one of the first recorded appearances by Nas and contained a viciously funny jab at Vanilla Ice called "Pop Goes the Weasel." Accompanied by an equally humorous video, "Pop Goes the Weasel" became 3rd Bass's biggest chart single and performed some much-needed damage control in the hip hop community: not only did it prevent 3rd Bass from getting lumped in with Ice, but by extension, it also distanced at least some of the Caucasian race from the whole phenomenon, opening doors for greater inclusiveness later on.
Despite their success, 3rd Bass disbanded in 1992 when MC Serch went solo. He issued Return of the Product later that year, and the remainder of the group, billed as Prime Minister Pete Nice & Daddy Rich, teamed up for Dust to Dust in 1993. Neither was as successful or high-profile as the two gold-selling 3rd Bass albums. Serch, interested in discovering new talent, became the head of A&R at the respected, now-defunct Wild Pitch label, and later founded his own label, Serchlight Productions. Nice, meanwhile, dropped out of the music business and opened a store in Cooperstown, NY, that sold baseball memorabilia. In 2000, 3rd Bass reunited for several concerts.
Gladiator
3rd Bass Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Flip flip off the flow, what do you know, an ego
Not the three amigos, I'm peepin' 'em on the T-Vo
Pete Nice rippin' the mic, scramblin' up the egg whites
Scrubbin' a head, scrubbin' a head, I never had head lice
Flippin' the rhymes with Rich, collecting loot like a bookie
Lookin' at how you serve like an NBA rookie
A gladiator steps with bust and if he must
Pullin' hook line and sinker like a fish you get
So stick a hook up my ass and pull some real shit
I'm like a juggernaut just goin' for your jugular
I'm like a two-bit hood just finished buggin' ya
I'm just takin' it to the hilt like Wilt the Stilt
Tilt your wines and spilt your kilt, just watch your built
So Daddy Rich kick the loop from the Bo man
A Gladiator gladiates upon his own plan
MC Serch
I take to the head, to the head I gots to take
Break like beats, the Serch now starts to partake
Bake like cake and candles, so go on and blow 'em out
Talkin' that yang about a gang that you don't know about
The bass men, the basement, the bass hoods
Taste good, but you don't need it silver treated
I start to waste hoods and hoodies
Goodies that you don't get 'til Halloween
Slidin' into Serch as he strips the scene
Steamin' so vex like the context got you sippin'
Talkin' that crap like your mouth does all the shittin'
So if you want it, come on and get all of this whoopin'
Put your TV on channel 3-B and just be tuned in
Served with a hit and blow straight from the Queens gladiator
Peace, I'm Audi 5000, I'll see ya later
Pete Nice
You deviate and gladiate, at times you bust shots straight
The Bass filled 808, for Pete's sake, don't imitate
The swingin' of a slugger, the chewin' of a cannibal
I smell the pussy like Hannibal
Lec Lec, I'm takin' the step the Gladiator got more
Kickin' it to a hook because you cocked the head, heave ho
Born not the lord, the 3rd, not a spectator
Step into the ring and get smoked by a gladiator
MC Serch
Straight from every city, from every hood they roll in chariots
No more horses, just Porsches and fat knots
Ain't nothin' but hoods, bad as bitches and gun play
You wanna see a Gladiator, come around my way
Fightin' with the same chains and the same knives
Playin' all the same games but takin' all the same lies
If you want some now or some for later
And take a head count for the Gladiator
In 3rd Bass's song "Gladiator," Pete Nice and MC Serch take turns spitting verses about their lyrical prowess and their status as tough gladiators of the rap game. The first verse by Pete Nice is a boastful account of his skills on the mic, comparing himself to a juggernaut and a two-bit hood. He also references the gladiatorial concept of turning stone to dust, suggesting his words have a similar power over his listeners. The chorus emphasizes the idea of taking what you want, being a gladiator and fighting for your place in the rap world.
MC Serch's verse picks up where Pete Nice left off, referencing his own skills with wordplay and his ability to "waste hoods and hoodies." He also warns his opponents to steer clear of talking about things they don't know about, perhaps suggesting that they don't understand the rules of the arena they're competing in. The chorus once again emphasizes the idea of being a gladiator and fighting for what you want.
Overall, "Gladiator" is a song about the competitive nature of the rap game and the need to be tough and assertive in order to succeed. The gladiator metaphor is used to convey strength, power, and a willingness to fight for one's place in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Flip flip off the flow, what do you know, an ego
I'm switching up my flow because I'm confident in my abilities
Not the three amigos, I'm peepin' 'em on the T-Vo
I'm not hanging out with my crew right now, just watching TV
Pete Nice rippin' the mic, scramblin' up the egg whites
I'm killing it on the mic with clever wordplay
Scrubbin' a head, scrubbin' a head, I never had head lice
I'm taking my rap skills to the next level
Flippin' the rhymes with Rich, collecting loot like a bookie
I'm collaborating with Rich and making money like a bookie
Lookin' at how you serve like an NBA rookie
I'm scrutinizing your skills like a veteran player would a rookie
A gladiator steps with bust and if he must
I'm approaching this rap battle with force and determination
More force in his hand, turnin' stone to dust
My skills are so powerful, I could destroy anything in my path
Pullin' hook line and sinker like a fish you get
I'm tricking you easily like a fish caught on a hook
So stick a hook up my ass and pull some real shit
If you want a challenge, come at me with your best material
I'm like a juggernaut just goin' for your jugular
I'm so focused on winning this battle, I'm going straight for your weakness
I'm like a two-bit hood just finished buggin' ya
I'm like a small-time criminal who's just messed with you
I'm just takin' it to the hilt like Wilt the Stilt
I'm giving it my all like basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain
Tilt your wines and spilt your kilt, just watch your built
You better watch out, because I'm going to destroy your reputation
So Daddy Rich kick the loop from the Bo man
Daddy Rich, my collaborator, provides the beat
A Gladiator gladiates upon his own plan
I'm following my own strategy to win this rap battle
I take to the head, to the head I gots to take
I'm getting into the groove of the rap battle
Break like beats, the Serch now starts to partake
I'm breaking down the beats and getting started on my verse
Bake like cake and candles, so go on and blow 'em out
I'm killing it like a birthday cake, and you can't compete
Talkin' that yang about a gang that you don't know about
You're talking about something you don't understand
The bass men, the basement, the bass hoods
We're the skilled rappers who know how to bring the bass
Taste good, but you don't need it silver treated
You might sound good, but you're not as good as you think
I start to waste hoods and hoodies
I'm destroying my competition
Goodies that you don't get 'til Halloween
You're simply not on my level
Slidin' into Serch as he strips the scene
I'm shifting the focus to myself and taking control
Steamin' so vex like the context got you sippin'
You're frustrated because I'm dominating this rap battle
Talkin' that crap like your mouth does all the shittin'
You're saying a lot of pointless nonsense
So if you want it, come on and get all of this whoopin'
If you want to lose, come and take me on
Put your TV on channel 3-B and just be tuned in
Watch me dominate this rap battle on channel 3-B
Served with a hit and blow straight from the Queens gladiator
You're about to be defeated by the best rapper from Queens
Peace, I'm Audi 5000, I'll see ya later
I'm done with this battle and I'm out of here
You deviate and gladiate, at times you bust shots straight
You're trying to diversify your rapping style
The Bass filled 808, for Pete's sake, don't imitate
The sound of the 808 bass is unique to me, don't try to copy it
The swingin' of a slugger, the chewin' of a cannibal
My rapping style is powerful and predatory
I smell the pussy like Hannibal
I can see weakness and vulnerability in my opponent
Lec Lec, I'm takin' the step the Gladiator got more
I'm taking things to the next level and winning this battle
Kickin' it to a hook because you cocked the head, heave ho
I'm winning the battle with ease
Born not the lord, the 3rd, not a spectator
I was born to be a leader, not a follower
Step into the ring and get smoked by a gladiator
If you want to lose, come and face me in the rap battle
Straight from every city, from every hood they roll in chariots
The best rappers come from every city and every neighborhood
No more horses, just Porsches and fat knots
We're living the high life now, with fast cars and lots of money
Ain't nothin' but hoods, bad as bitches and gun play
We're the toughest, most hardcore rappers out there
You wanna see a Gladiator, come around my way
If you want to face the best rapper, come to my hood
Fightin' with the same chains and the same knives
We're all playing the same game with the same tools
Playin' all the same games but takin' all the same lies
We're all rapping about the same things and telling the same lies
If you want some now or some for later
If you want to lose today or tomorrow, I'm ready for you
And take a head count for the Gladiator
Come to my hood and count the number of people ready to see me win this battle
Contributed by Elizabeth F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Thugestani
Early 90s... When rap was rap...
@anthonyarcanumsanctumregnu9551
Pete is one if the most underrated Emcess of all time and the most underrated white Emcee!
@ferchojgg
one of my favorite first songs, 30th years ago!
@milestone_achiever4634
Same beat with The D.O.C!!!!!!
Sick bass and drum line!!!!
@sventremendousson2641
My favorite 3rd bass beat
@onebdp
It’s a beast for sure
@KombatGuru89
Sampled from the great Isaac hayes
@carolinafine8050
@@onebdp this is one of their worst beats
@JulioRodriguez-fz8vq
Pete nice was sick with his lyrics..
@anthonyarcanumsanctumregnu9551
Yep! Amazing