7
Joined: Dec '11
Posts: 42
So I recommended 12 Step Program to a new friend, only to find out he'd never even heard of the P. He asked me to characterize their vibe, and the best I could come up with on the spot was:
"that LA George Clinton EPMD Beatnuts funky-smooth rough soul-vibe hip hop tip"
It got him to check em out, but I probably madly skewed his expectations 
Got me thinking, though, how would y'all describe the P to a soon-to-be-fan before playing them 12SP??
P fan #1
Joined: Oct '08
Posts: 3,255
That's a tough one... I'm usually a motormouth (as you can tell by my essays on here), but I try to keep explanations succinct to avoid boring people.
Without drawing comparisons, I'd say they are a classic hip-hop group (I try to use "classic hip hop" rather than "golden era" or "alternative", 'cause both of those terms sound a little wack to me) with an emphasis on widening the sample palette past simple jazz loops. Their rhymes focus on good times and life experiences rather than being positive or negative.
It's hard to draw comparisons between them and other groups, because their style deviates from the traditional East Coast flow (like Tribe Called Quest or Beasties), but it sounds a little closer to that than the hardcore/gangsta rap the West Coast is known for.
P fan #1
Joined: Feb '07
Posts: 594
a rap duo, famous for their cutty samples and witty lyrics, that specializes in using history to their advantage
or
qualified, rectified, rockin it til the day they die
or
the P, professional
the U, unified
the T, talented
the S, the sh!t
LP
Joined: Nov '13
Posts: 340
Its hip hop for grown ups insomuch as the production is dense, a lot of rap is two dimensional but thes works on the layers, you can keep coming back. to tracks and unearthing new detail.
World hip hop is how id describe it.
Music for grown ups, we've had our adolescence, now we want music with thought behind it. Music with a groove. Music that flows, music to make you move, music that grows.
Pauls boutique bllew me away with it's production back in the 80's, PUTS are. The only cats, Imo, who are reaching those production levels.
7
Joined: Dec '11
Posts: 42
SactownConnection said:
That's a tough one... I'm usually a motormouth (as you can tell by my essays on here), but I try to keep explanations succinct to avoid boring people.
I do the exact same, and found myself stumbling to condense my explanation down to something concise. In the end the buzz word comparisons were the first thing that came to mind, but now that you mention it, it really is crazy how many influences Mike and Chris cite, yet how unique their own style is.
Love the responses y'all, keep em coming. I really should've thought just to spew lyrics at him though haha
A La Carte said:
Pauls boutique bllew me away with it's production back in the 80's, PUTS are. The only cats, Imo, who are reaching those production levels.
Funny that you mention this, I'm the guy that always touts the technical brilliance of an album first before realizing most people don't care and I'm really just turning them off. Again why I went with the buzz words haha just to reel them in and let them discover themselves why it's dope
new cat
Joined: Mar '13
Posts: 18
First of all, thanks to Hydrolyphic! This is a great idea for a thread and I liked reading what those above me have already written.
If I was trying to describe them as briefly as possible I would say that they're "classic hip hop in a really funky, charming package." But if someone would let me, I'd say all this so as to describe them as accurately possible:
Beats: You have to mention the beats first because that's really what People Under the Stairs are about. And it shows because the beats are world-class in my opinion. Heavy use of samples, which to me, is a plus. Intricate, well-made, funky and enjoyable.
Rap: Their vocals are well-delivered and charming. The lyrics aren't "world-class" in the same vein as the beats, but they're often very witty and are certainly enjoyable. Furthermore they avoid posing and keep their subject matter both interesting and true to themselves.
Other: They're a really charming group. They have an awesome "flavor" about them; Both Double K and Thes have great personalities. I love their philosophy towards life and their love of music.
Obviously I'm still trying to be concise in the above explanation but I feel that much is needed to do them even partial justice. Looking forward to reading the rest of the responses. Peace!
LP
Joined: Sep '11
Posts: 394
Hip hop made strictly from records/samples. Funny insightful flows. Tight drum breaks. Impressive scratching.
LP
Joined: Apr '14
Posts: 300
Music for music people.
EP
Joined: Nov '11
Posts: 232
I was asked this question in the pub on Saturday after telling a semi-mate about the new record I said.........
"Real head nodding hip hop from the soul". Then she asked if it was like Drake?!?! Twat
EP
Joined: Nov '09
Posts: 112
A La Carte said:
the production is dense, a lot of rap is two dimensional but thes works on the layers, you can keep coming back. to tracks and unearthing new detail.World hip hop is how id describe it.
That's a perfect way to put it from a production standpoint. Thes has such a talent for manipulating samples with the filtering, the layers, the multiple samples/drum breaks. Listening to this latest album just reminds me of how perfect the attention to detail is with their sound quality and mastering.
It reminds me a lot of J Dilla during the Soulquarians era. Dilla could make a sampled beat sound organic and seamless, but still raw (if that makes sense). I think Thes' production has that same pure, seamless quality that brings the samples to new life.
And I guess sampling by definition creates something new from something old, but some producers just have that extraterrestrial ability of manipulating sound.
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Joined: Dec '11
Posts: 42
Dwight said:
Dilla could make a sampled beat sound organic and seamless, but still raw (if that makes sense). I think Thes' production has that same pure, seamless quality that brings the samples to new life.
Ooh, I like that. Too true.
AGroPDX said:
Other: They're a really charming group. They have an awesome "flavor" about them; Both Double K and Thes have great personalities. I love their philosophy towards life and their love of music.
Notable. I always get caught up in the music and forget to describe the people behind it. Say, you the only other Portlander on the boards? Gonna make it to the Doug Fir?
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