People Under The Stairs were one of the most consistent acts in HOP music for about fifteen years. From their debut album ‘The Next Step’ in 1998, this group chartered a unique experience for listeners salivating for a more grounded, genuine, and vintage sound in rap music. By the year 2006 “PUTS” had marked their territory within the “underground Hip-Hop” scene. Fans knew what to expect from the group but they also ran the risk of being trapped in their own proverbial “black hole.”
‘Stepfather’ to me is the first time the group steps (no pun intended) outside of their usual brand of music. Yes it is still the People Under The Stairs with cool out sounds and showing respect to the “old school,” but songs seem to stand out more on this album. ‘Pass The 40’ takes a more electronic and simple approach that is away from the much bigger and analog sound “PUTS” usually provides. ‘Tuxedo Rap’ is the uptempo track one could expect to hear from the group, but interpolating Michael Jackson instead of the more obscure samples “PUTS” tend to favor, suggested this album might have been intended to reach a larger audience. This doesn’t mean that the album suffers from this, but that Double K. and Thes One were self aware of not getting trapped in making the same album over again.
The execution of ‘Stepfather’ felt more polished and “PUTS” put together some audio moments that’s hard to forget. ‘Eat Street’ plays on the Fat Boys moment of clarity in the movie ‘Krush Groove,’ that those who just like to eat can always relate to. ‘LA9X’ is that moment on all their albums for just riding in a car on a nice day while also paying homage to some of Los Angeles’ legendary Hip-Hop acts. ‘Flex Off’ however is one of my favorite tracks from them as a group. Taking a quote from Queen Latifah, and building on some of the most “People Under The Stairs’ production,” keeps the song as a monument in ones audio memories.
‘Stepfather’ is one of those albums that helps bring in a new crop of listeners. For me it was not their best album but one of their best executed releases. The intro to this album is a welcoming mat from People Under The Stairs, to new and old fans. This musical journey would be new but the core mission remained the same. What did you think of the album?
Singles include:
‘Tuxedo Rap’ & ‘Pass The 40’
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