A slow groove can mean the difference between maximum chills or a total lack of thrills, and in the case of the new single “Slow Twerkin’” from 3B Rich, it’s the former over the latter. Rather than trying to center everything on the harmonies that this group can conjure up with surgical precision, “Slow Twerkin’” features 3B Rich accentuating their lyrical narrative with rhythm almost exclusively, dispelling the theory that beat-driven crossovers don’t have a place in contemporary pop. This is a piece that proves quite the contrary, and I doubt I’m going to be the only critic to note as much this spring.
You can’t beat the vocal layering this track is sporting, and although I like the straightforwardness of a simple mix, this is the kind of single that could make anyone a fan of modern decadence. The old school R&B themes are situated more in the cosmetics of this piece than the actual drive from the players, but I wouldn’t discount the soulfulness of the singing here; whether they’re experimenting with a melodic trap verse or harmonizing with a synthetic element in the backdrop, these guys definitely sound like they’re in tune with the medium.
I love how the connection between these vocalists comes to define the mood of the music almost more than the lyrics do, which isn’t to say that these words are lacking weight or legitimacy. Contrarily, it’s impressive that the interplay between 3B Rich is able to surpass the depth of the lyrical content here, being that there’s a raw emotionality to the verses that exists both on paper and in the performance. They’re just scratching the surface of their creative abilities, that much is obvious, but for what they’re established in this debut, I’m very intrigued at the prospect of seeing where they go next.
This bassline is on the sly side, but personally, I don’t think this trio needs much more of a foundation to create a sturdy hook. Had they gone with a thicker bottom-end, I’m not certain whether or not we would have been able to appreciate the textural expressiveness of the music as it originates with the vocals. There’s a serious sense of structure to this arrangement, and because of how careful the players are being with their individual parts, there’s scarcely a moment in which they don’t sound like true professionals ready for the primetime.
I’m quite eager to hear what 3B Rich is going to develop in their next single and first proper original LP, and judging from the ambitiousness of this initial offering, I don’t think I’m going to be disappointed with what’s sitting on the horizon for this crew. There’s a lot of competition in R&B and crossover hip-hop at the moment, but among those who are rejecting the more formulaic path of their forerunners, 3B Rich is probably the most provocative group I’ve come across in the past couple of months. There’s more for them to explore in this sound, but “Slow Twerkin’” is a terrific taster.
Chadwick Easton