Before 3 FOUR, there was The Drew Sparx Project. A A critically acclaimed hip hop duo from Houston, Texas, Comprised Of Emcee's Joe Sparx, and Drewski: The Drew Sparx Project The Drew Sparx Project By Craig D. Lindsey Debate on whether there is such a thing as "Houston hip-hop" has been going on so damn long nobody knows where or how it began. Truth is, there isn't any hip-hop scene -- just one giant radio station and a couple of clubs that play hip-hop. No performers. No performance clubs. And one unproved, nationally distributed label (D**e House). That's it. Sure, there are rappers from Houston all over the damn place. Can't swing a stick round these parts without hitting an MC who can go on and on about how much of a pimp/playa/baller he is and who can program a drum machine. But as any rap/hip-hop enthusiast will tell you, hip-hop is more creative, inventive and imaginative than its in-your-face tendencies indicate. Just because some rapper talks about w**d, hoes, syrup and life "in the game" doesn't mean he's down. Hip-hop is more than just words and baggy pants. Lo and behold: Just before all hope is lost and everyone succumbs to the ways of the screw tape, along comes a trio of local whippersnappers known as the Drew Sparx Project. They want to slap that Three 6 Mafia CD out of your hand like Dikembe Mutombo on John Starks and invite you to partake in some homegrown sh*t. Houston hip-hop finally produces some top-notch talent in the Drew Sparx Project. On their debut, the three men that make up da Project -- MCs Drew and Joe Sparx and DJ Akshun Kid -- bounce off their soundproof studio walls like Superballs. What's so surprising and captivating about this album is how it doesn't sound regional. They lace up beats that are just as eccentric (read: goofy) and original as their rhymes. The only Houston- or Texas-specific things about the work are the occasional name droppings. The folks at Cardi's will be pleased. Vernon Maxwell will not. And unlike every other gamer/lifer/pimp in town, the Drew Sparx Project gives love to its city, not its clique or set. (Or, let's be blunt, its gang.) And like all rappers, the three boys obviously want to prove their worthiness on the mike, going so far as undermining the reps of their hard-core competition. On "Who Wins in the End," the Project attacks local hip-hop "celebrities": "Who goes to restaurants / And waiters giving him a damn tip / Who keep niggas feeling little / Like Troy, KeKe and Flip." Though most of the tracks work as rap, some of the best material comes from the un-numbered numbers. Intriguing instrumental interludes or side-splitting skits, such as the gospel slam "Mama I'm White," are enjoyable. And the last two untitled bonus tracks are real keepers. They're both lackadaisical exercises in hip-hop funk, complete with lyrics that are truthful ("Some rap cats / They wallow in greed / Ain't giving sh*t back / They eat the fruit and swallow the seed") and mercilessly funny ("I'm like Martin / Brandishing weapons / In busy intersections / In total control"). Rough around the edges but still too vigorously vibrant to ignore, the Drew Sparx Project is a rap group that should be applauded for breathing life into Houston hip-hop. Hearing these boys proves that there is still some hip-hop blood flowing in this syrup-sipping city." "Texas' "underground" hip-hop is a slow developing phenomena; but with help of groups like this, things are starting to pick up quickly." -- www.alphabeats.com Then, The Drew Sparx Project changed it's name to 3 FOUR, To honor Houston Hall Of Famers, Earl Campbell, Nolan Ryan, and Hakeem Olajuwon; All of whom wore the number 34: "Customer Reviews 3 FOUR 1st Quarter: One Faded Summer 5.0 out of 5 stars Southern Hip-Hop Meet 3 Four, February 3, 2014 This review is from: 1st Quarter: One Faded Summer (Audio CD) Don't underestimate this underground Houston hip-hop duo comprised of one "Drewski" and one "Joe Sparx" by assuming they are just another independent rap group. Their vocal prowess blows most other emcees out of the water with their intellectual rhymes and smooth beat transitions. If you are looking for something to bump from start to finish with cohesive beats and lyrical genius than you've found it! From start to finish, track after track, the duo's southern hip-hop influences present themselves and then take on a whole new life through the talented composition, beat creation, and mixing skills of the one and only Drewski. A couple of tracks not to miss on this album are "Free", and "Tempted"." With the release of their new album Second Quarter: Dream, 3FOUR has taken their creativity, and content to an entirely different level. Still edgy, progressive, and rambunctious as ever, there is a new sense of mature, and their sound reflects it. With the release of Second Quarter: Dream, 3FOUR has set the bar, not only for southern hip hop, but hip hop worldwide. PRESS RELEASE 8/2013: 3 FOUR is the new phenomenon to reassure Hip Hop that it isn’t “dead”, with their soon to be released project entitled DREAM. In case you were wondering, 3 FOUR is the dynamic duo of Drewski and Joe Sparx. A veteran MC, and an MC/ producer who hail from the city of Houston, TX. Carrying the torch that was lit by groups like the Geto Boys and The Odd Squad, Drewski and Joe Sparx approach their music with a diversity that reflects their group, and their city. After having years of success with their own nationally distributed record label UMP Music, and opening up for the likes of Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Common, 2 Live Crew, and countless others, Drewski and Joe Sparx decided it was time to use their business, and entertainment expertise to re-launch their label, and set a new precedent for Hip Hop not only nationally, but internationally as well. Drewski's and Joe Sparx's new ventures as writers and producers have quickly flourished, as the duo has worked and collaborated with such artists as Joell Ortiz, Lil Troy, Lil Flip, Rob G and Mr. Mike, to name a few. As their behind the scenes success grew, the duo took some time to live life a little bit. And as life does -when you take the time to really live it- life happens, and sometimes that means the threat of death. January 2013 was a turning point for the duo and marked a time when the inspiration to create and perform music for themselves again happened. This happened in a hospital room, as Drewski was given only a month to live due to kidney issues and liver failure. Beating the odds, fast forward to 2014 and the heroes of the city are locked and loaded with nothing but hits. "Joe Sparx and I have been friends for nearly 2 decades. Actually, we are more like brothers. And that time lying in a hospital bed, not knowing what God had in store for me... I had to reevaluate everything in my life. And there it was. God, family and purpose...and I know that in our case, our purpose is music", explained Drewski. Through the loss of his mother, and gain of experience as a parent, Joe Sparx developed a newfound inspiration as well, that led right back to what gave him the greatest feeling of freedom and creativity. "Music is what connected us, music is what developed our friendship into a brotherhood, and music is what got us through some of the darkest days in our lives", adds Joe Sparx. "It’s clear what Drewski and I were sent here to do." 3 Four is here to breathe new life into Hip Hop. Get ready. Blessings- Sabrina Nichelle Lott