AMATEUR PROSE: The Hundred Stair EP

Amateur Prose

The Hundred Stair EP

© 2008 Hundred Stair Recordings (634479719196)

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A Los-Angeles based Hip Hop trio that combines uncomfortably honest, clever lyricism with banging sample-based production.

notes

Dubbed "Neo-Classical Hip-Hop" by group member Bustin Fabulous, Amateur Prose are a Los Angeles-based hip-hop trio with a sound that is both lyrically progressive and rooted in the classic hip-hop aesthetic. In an age when rappers preach about "keeping it real" while proceeding to make music that sounds like everyone else, Amateur Prose set themselves apart from the crowd by daring to be honest and speaking on issues that are "real" to them. Aided by producer/emcee Secret of Crim's soulful, sample-based production, the crew's content is informed by their every-day experiences, with subject matter ranging from the disgruntled working-man (Work) to the story behind the group's inception (Monday).

Originally named simply "Amateur," the group adopted the word due to its original definition of someone who pursues a hobby for the love and not for money. The word remains appropriate despite its negative connotations, due to the group's self-deprecating lyrics, a quality that's missing in a genre oft-filled with braggadocio. As Crim informs the listener on "Interlude," "I just gotta be true/You could battle me, and I’d probably lose." Recording their music in a bedroom and selling it by hand, Amateur Prose aren't afraid to call themselves "amateurs," for that's exactly what they are. Given the hip-hop scene's increasing discontent with the music of so-called "professionals," perhaps being an amateur nowadays isn't such a bad thing.

Nevertheless, they can be cocky as well, and this is where the "prose" comes in. While in one sense "prose" is an appropriate word to describe the group's literary, introspective lyrics, the three rappers are also "pros" in the sense of their technical skill on the microphone. Fan favorite "Ready Set" features Bustin Fabulous and Secret of Crim trading verses in a four-minute display of pure style and rhyme-play.

"The Hundred Stair E.P.," named after the public staircase where the three would meet to freestyle during high school, is the culmination of three years of writing and growing together as a group. Recorded mainly over summer vacations as the three attended college, the E.P. serves as an introduction to the crew, with a collection of seven of their best songs since the group's inception. Amateur Prose's sound is a rarity. They manage to be seriously dope while not taking themselves too seriously, and unlike many hard-headed rappers, they actually sound like they're enjoying themselves. One listen and chances are you'll enjoy yourself too. Otherwise, like Kneverknown says, "just roll a jammer and smoke/Then you'll be vibin' like, 'man, this shit's dope.'"

reviews

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  • solid
    author: Nathan Poole

    Good effort from a lesser known artist. It was quality all the way through. Unfortunately the only thing missing is a track that just jumps out and grabs you. Nothing mind blowing about this cd, but still worth having.

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