3 The Hard Way

3 The Hard Way’s first release was the massive ‘Hip Hop Holiday’, which was released in 1994. An instant street smash that crossed over to radio, the song spent five weeks at the top of the New Zealand charts, selling in excess of thirty thousand copies, and became a kiwi anthem. Backed by the success of the record and the top three status of its follow up, ‘Many Rivers’, the crew released their debut album later that year, ‘Old School Prankstas’, which went platinum in 1995.

‘Hip Hop Holiday’ spent three weeks at #1 and also charted across the Tasman, peeking at #5. The song featured an element of ‘Dreadlock Holiday’ by 10CC, who heard the 3 The Hard Way song after it went big in Australia.

Throughout 1994 and 1995 3 The Hard Way toured extensively as a headline act in Australia and New Zealand. However, by the end of 1995 the boys decided to take a break.

That break lasted longer than anyone anticipated, and, despite a number of demos freshly recorded, it wasn’t until a chance meeting with Alan Jansson in 2001 that 3 The Hard Way found themselves back in the studio, signing a deal with his new Joy label, via Sony.

3 The Hard Way released their second album ‘Eyes On The Prize’ in 2003.

‘It’s On’, was the first single to be released from ‘Eyes On The Prize’. It became #1 on October 15, less than a month after it was released.

‘Eyes On The Prize’ was produced by Alan Jansson, the successful songwriter and producer who took OMC to #1 in 15 countries, selling in excess of three million copies on the way.

The second album from 3 The Hard Way, “Eyes on the Prize” is a thematic and at times, an extremely personal, collection of songs, delivered with a wicked sense of humour. It traces their journey from boys to men, with all the pitfalls encountered over the years and explores a few of their passions along the way.

Third member Lance ‘DJ Damage’ Manuel did not rejoin the band when they reformed.