For the French trance act, see Third Bass.

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.

Steppin' To The A.M.
3rd Bass Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

At the sound of the tone, the time will be twelve A.M.

Ready in the intro, cue up the Serch-lite
Point us to the center stage (I'll grab the first mic)
Projectin' the voice with this mic that I'm cuffin'
You ain't my nucka, sucker I'm snuffin'
The word of the third stands true, so no panickin'
(Man verse man) you freeze up like a mannequin

Petrol, you let go, the wax for the new jacks
To dwell upon you're steppin' on the trigger as the tune smacks
(Square in the butt) Pete gave me the cue
So I'ma put up or shut up until my jam is through
But for now I want to freak em, so I'll embark
To spark your mission posse, til way past dark
(Don't park there's no standin') or I'll play the five-oh
You don't stop movin' until the Serch says so
To keep the tribe open, shootin' out to play em
Three the hard way'll keep you steppin' to the A.M.

What's the time?
It's about that time
What's the time?
Time to get stupid! (At the sound of the tone)
What's the time? (The time will be one A.M.)
It's about that time
What time is it?
Shootin' for the A.M.

My mind has a question, I respond
To a silver domed microphone (one step beyond)
Straight to eighty-eight to the curves of the nineties
I'm universal, I set a line free
Behind me, the three the hard way, the jackpot
(Awaitin' Satan's, tryin' to take cheap shots)
We groove crowds, the three stand proud
The brothers round the way sit down and say
(How'd you do this?) Ludicrous rhythm of rhyme
Anticipate like a bottle of Heinz ketchup
(No catch up!) 'Cause you fell behind
I'm steppin' to the A.M., dickin' down swine
Pete Nice skims over lyrics, I pick em
Strong and long, you're wrong, I stick em
(He's the law with the sword) with my cable swingin'
(Like the pit or the pendulum) Pete Nice bringin'
the sunrise with no lies, legitimate (and you despise)
Envy this emcees magnitude (so realize)
The MC emceed (the DJ deejayed 'em)
Until the next time I keep you steppin' to the A.M.

Two for the time
Two for the time

What's the time?
It's about that time
What's the time?
Time to get stupid! (At the sound of the tone)
What's the time? (The time will be one A.M.)
It's about that time
What time is it?
Shootin' for the A.M.

No weight on the felt plate, deep bass below rise
Needle torture groove, move the record til the whack stride
(Schoolin' the swine on the strength of my vocab)
Bet you wonder you're a goner
(You're thinkin' that you had)
Lyrics to the A.M. but the house needs a swinger
You st-st-st-st-stutter, but I'm a stinger
(My rhymes so potent, I wrote em and it's evident)
You're just a stunt, seekin' a settlement
The lyrical line (The article original)
Afflict like a convict, I ain't no criminal
Schemin' on a cable or slobbin' the knob
You played me like a foul ball
(How you livin' Hobbes?)
Now groove into the A.M., the master spoon feedin'
out a jumper, you're bumpin' a freak while I'm G'n
Peter let the record spin (Serch'll get a second wind)
Motivate the crowd, til it's steppin' to the A.M.

What's the time?
It's about that time
What's the time?
Time to get stupid! (At the sound of the tone)
What's the time? (The time will be one A.M.)
It's about that time
What time is it?
For, for the A.M.

I slide swiftly, keep a brother steppin
(Loungin', strength in my throat)
Sweatin' as you get hit with the rhythm
My lines sustain like a crane, so uplift them
(Slow and smooth) Flowin' like fluid
The mass did worship the lyrics the three did
(Amid all crisis) Drop it like a guillotine
(You're moist) fearing the voice of the rhyme fiend
Scene is zipped, Pete Nice is your worst dream
Fulfilled your illed I thrilled (I heard a loud scream)
My mind is cued, so I run down a menu
That downgrades the weak as my lyrics tend to
(The needs of a shaker, sweatin' to the point of exhaust)
So listen to the mission horse
Blinded by the science, my mind starts flexin'
Sexin' down females to the A.M., perplexin'
A complex reflex (you wonder if we slumber)
The three don't sleep (ayo Pete Nice take 'em under!)
Steppin' to the A.M., I'm steppin' to the mic
To snatch up and smash up the club until daylight!

Two for the time
Two for the time

What's the time?
It's about that time
What's the time?
Time to get stupid! (At the sound of the tone)
What's the time? (The time will be one A.M.)
It's about that time
What time is it?
For, for the A.M.

What's the time?
It's about that time
What's the time?
Time to get stupid! (At the sound of the tone)
What's the time? (The time will be one A.M.)
It's about that time

What time is it?
For, for the A.M.

Overall Meaning

The song "Steppin' to the A.M." by 3rd Bass is a rap anthem that emphasizes the group's lyrical talent and showmanship. The lyrics describe the group's confidence in their abilities as MCs and their intentions to keep the audience engaged until the early hours of the morning. The opening lines set the tone, with the opening sample announcing the time as midnight before MC Serch initiates the first verse. The group proclaims their superiority over other rappers, urging them not to panic when facing them. As the song progresses, they continue to showcase their lyrical prowess and playfulness, swapping rhymes and engaging the audience.

The repeated refrain "What's the time? It's about that time" emphasizes their desire to keep the party going until dawn, heightening their reputation as a group that kept the audience moving all night. The closing lines feature the group touting their success as they bask in the admiration of their fans. In essence, the song is a celebration of the group's talent and their ability to move the audience, from start to finish.

Line by Line Meaning

At the sound of the tone, the time will be twelve A.M.
When you hear the tone, it will be midnight.

Ready in the intro, cue up the Serch-lite
Prepared at the beginning, set up the spotlight on Serch.

Point us to the center stage (I'll grab the first mic)
Direct us to the main spotlight, I'll take the first microphone.

Projectin' the voice with this mic that I'm cuffin'
Amplify the voice with the microphone that I'm holding.

You ain't my nucka, sucker I'm snuffin'
You're not my friend, I'm defeating you.

The word of the third stands true, so no panickin'
The message of the third member is honest, so don't worry.

(Man verse man) you freeze up like a mannequin
In a conflict between individuals, you become motionless like a mannequin.

Petrol, you let go, the wax for the new jacks
Fuel, you release, the music for the new artists.

To dwell upon you're steppin' on the trigger as the tune smacks
To focus on you is provoking a response as the music hits hard.

(Square in the butt) Pete gave me the cue
(Directly on target) Pete signaled me.

So I'ma put up or shut up until my jam is through
So I will perform and prove myself until my song is finished.

But for now I want to freak em, so I'll embark
But for now, I want to excite them, so I'll start.

To spark your mission posse, til way past dark
To ignite your group's purpose, until early morning.

(Don't park there's no standin') or I'll play the five-oh
(Don't stop or stay) or I'll act like the police.

You don't stop movin' until the Serch says so
You should keep dancing until Serch gives the signal to stop.

To keep the tribe open, shootin' out to play em
To maintain the group's influence, reaching out to entertain them.

Three the hard way'll keep you steppin' to the A.M.
The three of us will ensure you keep dancing until morning.

My mind has a question, I respond
I have a thought in my mind, and I answer it.

To a silver domed microphone (one step beyond)
To a special microphone (even further)

Straight to eighty-eight to the curves of the nineties
Directly to the style of the late 80s and early 90s.

I'm universal, I set a line free
I'm versatile, I express myself freely.

Behind me, the three the hard way, the jackpot
Behind me, the three members who always deliver, the ultimate success.

(Awaitin' Satan's, tryin' to take cheap shots)
(Waiting for enemies, attempting to attack in a low-cost way)

We groove crowds, the three stand proud
We entertain audiences, the three of us are confident.

The brothers round the way sit down and say
The local residents gather and express their approval.

(How'd you do this?) Ludicrous rhythm of rhyme
(How did you achieve this?) An absurd pattern of lyrics.

Anticipate like a bottle of Heinz ketchup
Eagerly waiting, like a bottle of Heinz ketchup being poured.

(No catch up!) 'Cause you fell behind
(No time to catch up!) Because you lagged behind.

I'm steppin' to the A.M., dickin' down swine
I'm moving forward until morning, defeating unworthy opponents.

Pete Nice skims over lyrics, I pick em
Pete Nice quickly goes through lyrics, but I carefully select them.

Strong and long, you're wrong, I stick em
Powerful and persistent, you're mistaken, I make it clear.

(He's the law with the sword) with my cable swingin'
(He's the authority with the weapon) with my microphone moving swiftly.

(Like the pit or the pendulum) Pete Nice bringin'
(Like a dangerous trap) Pete Nice delivering.

the sunrise with no lies, legitimate (and you despise)
The truth of a new day, honest (and you hate it)

Envy this emcees magnitude (so realize)
Admire this emcee's greatness (so understand)

The MC emceed (the DJ deejayed 'em)
The MC hosted (the DJ played the music)

Until the next time I keep you steppin' to the A.M.
Until the next occasion, I will ensure you keep dancing until morning.

No weight on the felt plate, deep bass below rise
No pressure on the record, the powerful bass emerges.

Needle torture groove, move the record til the whack stride
The needle skillfully controls the record, creating a unique rhythm.

(Schoolin' the swine on the strength of my vocab)
(Educating ignorant people on the power of my language)

Bet you wonder you're a goner
I'm sure you're surprised and defeated.

(You're thinkin' that you had) Lyrics to the A.M. but the house needs a swinger
(You thought you had) Lyrics for the morning, but the party needs an entertainer.

You st-st-st-st-stutter, but I'm a stinger
You stutter, but I'm sharp and impactful.

(My rhymes so potent, I wrote em and it's evident)
(My lyrics are so powerful, I wrote them and it's obvious)

You're just a stunt, seekin' a settlement
You're just an act, looking for a resolution.

The lyrical line (The article original)
The flow of lyrics (The piece is authentic)

Afflict like a convict, I ain't no criminal
Cause harm like a prisoner, but I'm not a criminal.

Schemin' on a cable or slobbin' the knob
Planning for fame or engaging in oral sex.

You played me like a foul ball
You treated me unfairly, like a ball hit out of bounds.

(How you livin' Hobbes?)
(What's your lifestyle like?)

Now groove into the A.M., the master spoon feedin'
Now dance until morning, the skilled performer providing entertainment.

out a jumper, you're bumpin' a freak while I'm G'n
Out of excitement, you're dancing to the music while I'm going.

Peter let the record spin (Serch'll get a second wind)
Peter allows the record to play (Serch will find new energy)

Motivate the crowd, til it's steppin' to the A.M.
Inspire the audience, until they keep dancing until morning.