When you hear the words "Orange County based hip-hop group," I know what your thinking. A group of white boys with one token black guy spitting half-assed rhymes about life by the beach and their plight with suburban life.   

But one group has been banishing the negative connotation that comes with Orange County hip-hop and its spelled: Th3rd Rail.  What is a "Third Rail" is probably your next question, well to put it simply its a method of providing electrical power to a railway train- in other words they're 'electrifying the tracks.' Tracks meaning songs that  Anthony Marques A.K.A Sonny Liston produces.  

He's not just a producer though, he's also is a contributing  MC along side Chris Hooper A.K.A Naesean and Morris Wentworth A.K.A Mozilla.
 
Their influences range from Stevie Wonder and Al Green to Binary Star and A Tribe Called Quest. Their music can be broadly categorized in the underground hip-hop genre. 

If your looking for some solid soul sampling and head bobbing beats, Th3rd Rail is the gateway to some fresh talent in a sea of untalented MCs.
 
Since 2007, this trio has worked hard to send out a positive message and break away from the usual radio rap that promotes the love of material things.  
Chris Hooper (Naesean) explains what music means to Th3rd Rail: 

"When we think of music we think of being inspired or spreading a message. Nowadays music has been so far distanced from is original origins thats been derived from the true meaning of standing for something. All we hear on the radio today are songs about money, cars and partying. We (Th3rd Rail) see the power of music and how it can be a positive and motivational form of spreading a message. Therefore, our purpose for music is to spread knowledge and water the seeds so they can grow." 

There music promotes motivation in pursuing their education and turning dreams into hard work and success. They are living spoke persons for this, proven by the release of their LP, "LOL: Last Ones Left"   

After 6 months of work, they celebrated by throwing an album release party at club Envy in downtown Fullerton on August 10th. The turn out was overwhelming to say the least. Its clear that these guys have already produced a large fan base and much love and support from friends and family.  

During their performance, their energy, excitement and most of all love for what they've accomplished radiated to the crowd below. These guys love their music love the support and don't take for granted the opportunities they get to share their love for music with the community. Only after performing three songs off their LP, their $5 jewel cased CDs flew off the tables.  

They've been popping up a lot in the Orange County/Los Angeles bar scene performing at Tiki Bar (Costa Mesa), Tropics Lounge (Fullerton), 2nd Street Jazz  Club (LA) Fullerton College and GCS (Santa Ana).  More shows are still waiting to be announced but in the meantime, don't waste your time and check out their LP at: www.th3rdrail.bandcamp.com 

For more info and Th3rd Rail updates check them out at:  www.th3rdrail.tumblr.com