3 The Hard Way

3 The Hard Way is a New Zealand hiphop group formed in 1994.

History

3 The Hard Way''s first release was Hip Hop Holiday, which was released in 1994. The song spent five weeks at the top of the New Zealand charts, selling in excess of thirty thousand copies, and became a Kiwi anthem. Backed by the success of the record and the top three status of its follow-up, Many Rivers, the group released their debut album later that year, Old School Prankstas, which went platinum in 1995.

Hip Hop Holiday spent three weeks at #1 and also charted across the Tasman, peaking at #5. The song featured an element of Dreadlock Holiday by 10cc - due to a mix-up with the clearance rights, all of this song's royalties now go to 10cc members Graham Gouldman and Eric Stewart.

By the end of 1995 the boys decided to take a break. That break lasted longer than anyone anticipated, and, despite a number of demos freshly recorded, it wasn’t until a chance meeting with Alan Jansson in 2001 that 3 The Hard Way found themselves back in the studio, signing a deal with Joy label through Sony Music.

3 The Hard Way released their second album Eyes On The Prize in 2003. The first single released from this album, It's On (Move to This), which featured ex-pat R&B singer Clement Karauti, went #1 after 4 weeks in the chart's and made New Zealand music history by being the first NZ artist/s to take the #1 spot from another NZ artist, Scribe whose single Not Many spent 10 weeks at the top of the NZ charts. Third member Lance 'DJ Damage' Manuel did not rejoin the band when they reformed, and the band have been quiet since.

Band members

• Chris "Mighty Boy C" Maiai
• Mike "DJ Mike Mixx" Paton

former

• Lance "DJ Damage" Manuel

Discography

Singles