3RD CZN on 'This That and the 3RD'
Talking about the trio's debut album
March of 2024 saw the release of 3RD CZN’s debut album, This That and the 3RD. The group—made up of Cutright, B. Meads, & Glassez Tha Emcee—comes from the JustHis League camp and hits listeners with a seasoned sound of Christian lyricism, insight, and humor. We got to talk with the new trio about their album over the Summer of 2024.
This article originally appeared in Midnight Donuts #5 from October 2024. Want to get the next edition of Midnight Donuts? You can do so here!
Midnight Donuts: What’s the story behind the name “3RD CZN?” How did the group form?
Cutright: So. I have known Glassez since I was 14-15 because we went to the same church where my mother was the organist in 1998. I met Meads when we both were working as hospital transporters around ‘06. All three of us had a common interest in beatmaking and listened to some of the same artists, like Slum Village and Gang Starr. Plus, we all rapped. We linked up a few times to try to do music, but it was just a couple of freestyles but that was about it.
Around 2007-08 we all gave our lives to Christ and wrote a song or two together before The JustHis League was born in 2009 and we all were rocking as a team ever since. It's so many styles in our group that we were the CHH Wu-Tang Clan for a long time. However, the three of us never took the chance to create a project with the sound of the hip-hop we love due to our trying to appeal to the masses. CHH is a youth group-focused genre, and our group's sound will be enjoyed more by the grown folks who grew up on that kind of music.
As far as the name goes, it's 3RD COUSIN not 3rd Season. It's an ode to the 3-man hip hop trios of the past, like Tribe Called Quest, Def Squad, and NC's very own Little Brother. On top of that, the three of us are like family but we're not really related... like 3rd cousins, hence the name.
Midnight Donuts: What makes you most excited about This That and the 3RD?
Glassez Tha Emcee: The fact that we are the vanguard of a movement within the Christian Hip Hop space that are going back to go forward. To push the genre beyond youth concerts. Hip-hop has been around longer than I’ve been around, and I’ve always believed that this medium has a unique ability to communicate a raw truth that no other genre can emulate. I’m excited that this is an expression of freedom and fun, and it’s true to the lives that we are living today.
Midnight Donuts: You guys are clearly going for a throwback feel with the album art, group dynamic, skits, “Montage” song, etc. What was appealing about that direction for a project?
Glassez Tha Emcee: I wouldn’t say that we went for a throwback feel. We went looking for what made us fall in love with this form of music, and it led us to our roots. It led us to what we felt was authentic to us. It just so happens that we are 80s babies who came of age in the 90s. Hopefully, even though it may sonically give you that throwback feel our spin on it provides a freshness. Kinda like a familiar dish prepared using new cooking techniques.
Cutright: PLUS WE OLD HAHAHAHAHA! #GrayBeardGang
Midnight Donuts: What’s your favorite thing about being a part of this group?
B. Meads: My favorite part of being in the group is the ability to hone my craft with like-minded brothers. Brothers who will do all God leads them to do to encourage, hold me accountable, and push me into excellence. Brothers who trust me to do the same for them, in order to make 3RD CZN ultimately effective in spreading the Gospel in dope music.
Midnight Donuts: What’s your favorite song off the album and why?
B. Meads: My favorite song is actually tied between two songs. “That Real,” which I love for its rich boom bap sound, lyricism and wordplay. The other song is “Peaches & Cream,” which I love for its transparent and truthful content. It lets the listeners know, in a heartfelt way, that life as a Christian rapper isn’t easy. Both songsB. Meads: My favorite song is actually tied between two songs. “That Real,” which I love for its rich boom bap sound, lyricism and wordplay. The other song is “Peaches & Cream,” which I love for its transparent and truthful content. It lets the listeners know, in a heartfelt way, that life as a Christian rapper isn’t easy. Both songs are neck-and-neck for me, and I can’t choose, so I just keep both on repeat.
Midnight Donuts: Anything exciting on the horizon for 3RD CZN? Or for you individually? Tours/shows, projects, collabs, etc.
Cutright: Yep! We all live an hour away from each other, and the other two have kids and grandkids, so our schedules are crazy! The group is getting back in the lab together in the fall, though, to work on our follow-up album.
Outside of that, we all have different projects we're working on. Glassez is also known as DJ V for Vendetta, so he's always doing shows.
Meads is cooking something up as well, but he be on that Crock Pot mode with his music. It might take a minute to get it done, but when he’s finished everybody better grab a plate!
As far as I go, this 3RD CZN project is the second I dropped this year [2024]. My album Trophy Season dropped in February on DSPs, and I’m working on a second solo project to hopefully drop this fall.
Midnight Donuts: Where can readers connect with 3RD CZN?
Cutright: Follow us on IG and X formally known as Twitter:
@3rdCZN / @3rdCZNmusic
@mistercutright
@bmeads17
@glassezthaemcee
