3 The Hard Way is the name of a pioneering New Zealand hip hop group as well as a cult classic 1970s blaxploitation film. But what does "the hard way" mean and why is this phrase so evocative? In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explore the stories behind 3 The Hard Way and demystify the meaning of doing something "the hard way."
The Hip Hop Group 3 The Hard Way
3 The Hard Way is a New Zealand hip hop group that formed in Wellington in 1994. The original lineup consisted of rappers Bobbylon (Shaun Robinson), XL (Paul Moss), and DLT (Darryl Thompson). They emerged from the fertile hip hop scene brewing in NZ in the early 90s.
Groups like Upper Hutt Posse and Urban Disturbance were starting to gain traction, fusing rap with reggae and Pacific Islander influences. 3 The Hard Way built on this foundation but added their own flavor. As HipHopNZ notes, their songs stood out for "tongue-in-cheek lyrics and samples from rock tracks."
This innovative style is evident on their very first single, 1994‘s "Hip Hop Holiday." The laidback ode to relaxing and enjoying hip hop culture became a surprise mainstream hit. According to NZ Top 40 charts, it reached #1 and stayed on the charts for over four months.
"Hip Hop Holiday" marked the first time a local hip hop track had topped the NZ singles chart. The upbeat track with sunny hooks resonated with listeners of all backgrounds. To this day, it remains a beloved summer anthem.
3 The Hard Way could have remained a one-hit-wonder, but they continued to put out original tracks throughout the 90s and 2000s. Their other #1 smash was 2003‘s "It‘s On (Move to This)," which sampled the guitar riff from Van Halen‘s "Dreams."
With its propulsive beat and tongue-in-cheek lyrics, "It‘s On" showed 3 The Hard Way‘s sound maturing. According to AudioCulture, it exemplified "their ability to be simultaneously serious about their music and not afraid to have fun."
| Year | Album | Peak Chart Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Hip Hop Holiday (single) | #1 in NZ |
| 1997 | To the Max | #16 in NZ |
| 2001 | Composition | #33 in NZ |
| 2003 | It‘s On (single) | #1 in NZ |
| 2006 | Mauve | #5 in NZ |
3 The Hard Way continued releasing acclaimed albums and singles into the 2010s, proving their staying power in NZ hip hop. They also collaborated with major American rappers like De La Soul and DJ Premier.
In the Encyclopedia of NZ Hip Hop, they are hailed as "considered pioneers of authentic Kiwi hip-hop." Overall, 3 The Hard Way showed that homegrown rappers could achieve commercial success on their own terms, paving the way for future NZ hip hop artists.
The Meaning of "The Hard Way"
So where does the name 3 The Hard Way come from? As you may have guessed, it‘s a reference to the phrase "doing something the hard way." This idiom means tackling something through challenging or painful experiences rather than taking an easier route.
According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, doing something "the hard way" implies:
- Difficulty and adversity
- Learning through firsthand experience
- A lack of shortcuts
- Resilience in the face of obstacles
This speaks to hip hop‘s underdog ethos of overcoming hardship through determination and street smarts. By embracing the name 3 The Hard Way, the group aligned themselves with these scrappy values rather than superficial hype. Even when they later found mainstream success, they stayed true to their roots.
As I see it, the phrase "the hard way" resonates because it acknowledges that real achievement comes through struggle. People and communities gain wisdom by facing challenges hands-on rather than having things handed to them. As a tech professional, I can relate – there are no shortcuts to gaining expertise. You have to grind, fail, learn the lessons, and level up one step at a time.
The Blaxploitation Genre – Background and Emergence
In addition to the pioneering Kiwi rappers, there‘s also a blaxploitation movie from 1974 called Three the Hard Way starring Fred Williamson. To fully appreciate this cult film, it helps to understand the historical context that led to the blaxploitation genre emerging.
Blaxploitation movies flourished in the early 1970s as a reaction to the civil rights movement and shifting race relations in America. After decades of oppressive stereotypes, black audiences were hungry for empowering stories told from their perspective.
According to scholar Ed Guerrero, the era saw an "explosive emergence of independent black cultural production" including film. Blaxploitation movies allowed black directors, writers, and actors to assert control over their representation during a complex cultural moment.
At the same time, major Hollywood studios realized these gritty, edgy stories resonated with urban audiences. So they quickly capitalized on the genre, pumping out dozens of low-budget blaxploitation films to turn a profit.
While sometimes exploitative, these movies filled a void for black viewers. They featured black heroes and stars dominating the narratives rather than being sidelined. Now let‘s see how one film in particular reflected the genre‘s aims.
"Three the Hard Way" – A Quintessential Blaxploitation Film
Released in 1974, Three the Hard Way is a prime example of blaxploitation cinema. It was written and directed by Gordon Parks Jr. and featured a cast of black leading men like Fred Williamson, Jim Brown, and Jim Kelly.
The plot centers on a heroic counter-intelligence expert (Williamson) who discovers a sinister plot by white supremacists. They plan to taint the water supply in major cities to eradicate the black population.
Williamson teams up with his marksmen friend (Brown) and kung-fu master pal (Kelly) to take down the villains and thwart their genocidal scheme.
Three the Hard Way delivers all the hallmarks of a 70s blaxploitation flick:
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Macho heroes kicking ass
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Outrageous plot involving racial justice
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Martial arts and gunplay action
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Cool cars, clothes, and urban settings
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A funky soundtrack
Critics at the time gave the movie mixed reviews, panning the silly plot and cardboard characters. But fans appreciated the chance to see three of the eras‘ most badass black actors share the screen.
No matter its artistic merits, Three the Hard Way endures as a cult favorite that encapsulates how blaxploitation gave urban audiences the wish-fulfillment stories they craved. Similar movies like Foxy Brown, Truck Turner and Shaft became drive-in sensations by tapping into the same energy.
Overall the blaxploitation explosion was short-lived, fading out by the late 70s. But it provided a cathartic outlet and helped pave the way for future generations of black filmmakers to bring their authentic perspectives to cinema.
"Three the Hard Way" – An Analysis of Its Empowering Narrative
Upon revisiting Three the Hard Way recently, I was struck by how its execution reinforced a sense of black empowerment. The filmmakers made savvy choices to craft an escapist narrative where the heroes overcome oppression through their strength, ingenuity and streetwise brotherhood.
For instance, the three male leads are portrayed as smooth, unflappable badasses. No matter how big the threat, they handle the villains with witty one-liners and gravity-defying kung fu. Their hyper-capable personas let black viewers vicariously feel in control.
The plot also literalizes racial justice struggles through its fiction. Tainting the drinking water is an outrageous yet grim metaphor for systems that undermine black communities. So there‘s catharsis in seeing the heroes uncover and destroy this insidious plot in the movie fantasy.
Stylistic techniques like zooms and freeze frames emphasize decisive moments and actions. This makes the violence incredibly kinetic and satisfying when the heroes finally unleash it against the murderous bigots.
Three the Hard Way sustains a sense of wish fulfillment from start to finish by maximizing these empowering qualities. It represents how blaxploitation, at its best, could encode resistance and uplift its marginalized audience through smart filmmaking choices.
Breaking the Fourth Wall – An Audience Voyeuristically Views the Action
The blaxploitation genre often used provocative titles containing numbers, like Three the Hard Way. This made me ponder – was the title a subtle nod to a cinematic technique known as "breaking the fourth wall"?
In entertainment, the "fourth wall" refers to the imaginary barrier separating the audience from the fictional world being depicted. The audience views scenes voyeuristically through this invisible "wall," consuming the narrative from outside.
But when a character directly addresses or acknowledges the audience, it punctures the fourth wall partition. Suddenly the viewer feels more intimately involved, like the action is happening in front of them.
Using a numerical title like Three the Hard Way almost feels like "breaking the fourth wall" in a meta sense. It‘s as if the filmmakers are signaling: "Get ready to view these three heroes kicking ass from your seats – the hard way!"
Breaking the fourth wall has a long history in arts from Shakespeare to vaudeville. It can allow fictional works to wink at their own contrivances. Or it can more actively involve audiences in the drama unfolding before their eyes.
Viewers may feel discomfort, thrill or amusement when the fourth wall ruptures. Personally, as a streaming junkie, I find it refreshing when shows like Fleabag, House of Cards or The Office shatter that imaginary camera lens separating us from them. It‘s a exciting risk that reveals the "hard way" fiction gets created.
In Summary – The Full Story Behind the Phrase
In this in-depth explainer, we took a multifaceted look at the meaning of the phrase "the hard way":
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As part of pioneering hip hop group 3 The Hard Way, it signified hip hop hustle and ingenuity. Their music diffused from urban struggle into the mainstream the hard way – through raw talent and authenticity.
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In the blaxploitation genre film Three the Hard Way, it characterized the movie‘s uber-capable heroes overcoming oppression through smarts and action.
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Generally, doing something "the hard way" implies learning through difficulty and hands-on experience rather than taking shortcuts. There are no hacks on the road less traveled.
After reading this guide, you now know the full backstories behind the groups and movies named 3 or Three the Hard Way. More broadly, you understand how "the hard way" became a urban phrase epitomizing overcoming adversity through grit and resilience.
Whether it‘s hip hop, filmmaking, or just getting through life‘s challenges – sometimes embracing the hard road less traveled builds character and wisdom. We hope this comprehensive explainer shed light on the genesis and cultural impact of the phrase "the hard way." Let us know if you have any other idioms or slang terms you want decoded!
