Bronx’s The Legion are back with a new album – their first full-length project since the classic Theme + Echo = Krill almost 25 years ago. The anticipated Three The Bronx Way drops everywhere tomorrow but we’re bringing you an exclusive first listen today. Stream it below, then keep scrolling to read our interview with all three crew members; Molecules, Diceman and Chucky Smash.
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We’ve been excited about Three The Bronx Way since the audio for “1980 Something” surfaced early last year. Now it’s finally here, tell us about what we can expect?
Diceman: Well for starters we definitely didn’t stray from our sound—not one bit. Classic hard drums, dope samples, and a rap style that’s our own and not dated. Most importantly, from here on out we will remain consistent with our output of music.
There’s a bit of a Blaxploitation movie theme with the artwork and to a certain extent the sound. Is that the kind of atmosphere you are trying to capture with Three The Bronx Way?
Diceman: Definitely, as with our first album title, Theme +Echo=Krill. Theme music is our thing. We feel like every track should have some sort of theme to create the mood/vibe of the song or songs. It just gives it feeling. It makes your song sound like it belongs to a score for a movie, and gives a different affect to the lyrics…more artful.
You guys have been putting out records since 1993, which is impressive to say the least. Even more impressive is that you are still together as a unit. What’s the secret to maintaining a creative relationship for so long?
Chucky Smash: There’s no secret to us maintaining our relationship. Fortunately for us we were a crew before the industry. We grew up together in the Bronx. Of course we are brothers so we bicker and argue like any other family, but thank goodness we never had a falling out. The creative formula has been primarily Molecules on production and Dice and myself coming up with concepts. That’s usually the way we create songs.
Molecules: We’re friends, but we’re more like family. I’ve know Smash since like the 6th grade and Dice since like high school. Their kids are my God kids. We watched our kids grow up together. It’s more than a working relationship. We have a bond. With that it makes it easy for us to work together. We get in the lab, I lay down a beat, Dice starts spitting and Smash starts writing a hook. The process is effortless.
That said, there are sometimes long periods of time between projects. Other than your individual solo stuff (Molecules’ A Bronx Tale EP with Showbiz, and Diceman’s recent The Power of Now project, for instance), what else do you guys do between the music?
Chucky Smash: Molecules was involved with production for artists like Pink and also Mos Def. Dice is always prospecting other artists for us to work with. I had a nice run at radio with DJ Bill Skillz WVKR. The three of us are also proud fathers and family men.
When we spoke to Molecules last year he talked about how impactful Dres has been to The Legion. You have him on Three The Bronx Way (“Make It Hot”). It must be good to know you can call on an icon of the game like that to support you anytime you make music?
Chucky Smash: Yes, being down with Dres has definitely been a blessing. He’s had a huge impact on our career, and getting us our start with “Jingle Jangle.”
You also have Sadat X on the track “Word.” Tell us about your relationship with him?
Chucky Smash: Sadat X has been a friend of ours for years. We’ve done multiple shows with him and Brand Nubian. It’s just easy to link and vibe with him. He has that distinct dope voice.
Molecules: Sadat X is like family. He’s a real good dude. Like Smash said we’ve been running with him for years, doing shows, etc. Our relationship with him is bigger than music. I’ve still got unreleased music with some of my close friends on it, including Sadat. Anytime I hit him he comes through no problem. Genuine love for him.
Anything else you want people to know about, Three The Bronx Way?
Diceman: Besides to go out and support Three The Bronx Way, we want you to know ya’ll won’t be let down. We’re a piece to the puzzle of Hip Hop—what we call the forgotten formula: hardcore music in song form.
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Three The Bronx Way is out tomorrow, and you can get it from here. Follow The Legion on Instagram, and Molecules, Diceman and Chucky Smash on Twitter. Interview by Grown Up Rap Editor Ben Pedroche.