Thr3e

There\'s a special place in the hip-hop pantheon for albums created by just one emcee and one producer. So often too many cooks spoil the soup, with a release featuring a glut of guests and the actual artist\'s vision getting lost in the mix. *Thr3e* is the third edition of Theory Hazit\'s *Lord Fire* series. It\'s produced solely by Dert, a prolific beatmaker best known for his work with Tunnel Rats, as well as projects like *Sometimes I Rhyme Slow* and *The Short List*. Haz is another hard worker, as evidenced by joints like *Extra Credit*, *Vintage*, and a gang of tracks with his Scribbling Idiots posse. As expected, there\'s a lot of religious imagery on display, but even secular hip-hop fans will find much to enjoy here, with an abundance of razor-sharp wordplay and scratch-laced, ear-tickling beats. Catchy enough for radio (in a good way), it\'s a great album whether you\'re plugged into the higher-power rap scene or just a fan of quality beats and rhymes. The title track, \"I N3ed You Mor3 Than 3ver,\" and \"Jo Jo Danc3r\" are especially nice.