3 The Hardway

Bio

For any structure, the foundation upon which it is built is of the upmost importance. 3 The Hardway recently released their debut LP Set In Stone, but by no means is this their base, it is merely one of the many building blocks the group has set upon their solid foundation of DJ Cysko Rokwel, Producer/Engineer Es Nine and MC A.V.I.U.S.

Cysko Rokwel was the last piece of the puzzle attained when putting together 3 The Hardway. A battle hardened DJ; Cysko holds multiple titles which include:

2007 DMC USA 2nd Place winner
2007 Boulder DMC Champ
2007 Guitar Center Battle Champ-San Francisco

Obviously no slouch on the cut, Rokwel has also kept up with steady appearances on Boulder’s Radio 1190 Basementalism Hip Hop show. He became the final “piece of the puzzle” after making a guest appearance on House of Waxx’s first release, A.V.I.U.S.’s solo album, Patience.

Producer/Engineer Es Nine has been one of Colorado’s best kept secrets. This Mexico born, California raised, Hip Hop lover found his way to Colorado after receiving his degree from the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in Arizona. He made the journey due to the creation of his former label Fan Bass. Fan Bass would help Es Nine pad his resume, allowing him to produce/record/engineer records for KRS-One, Dilated Peoples, Killah Priest, Encore, Rudy Love of Sly and the Family Stone and more. Creative differences would eventually cause Es Nine to part ways with the label, but his love for the music kept him persevering. This break would eventually present him bigger and better opportunities, leading him to A.V.I.U.S. The pair put their heads together to create House of Waxx Recordings and subsequently their first piece as a collective, “Patience.” In 2009, Es Nine was named Colorado’s producer of the year in Westword magazine.

A.V.I.U.S. plays the roles of front man, business man and manager for the trio. Working hard at perfecting his craft on the mic, A.V.I.U.S. found his niche and voice for both recording and performing over the last two years. Having opened shows for a slew of recognized and respected names such as the GZA , Sweatshop Union, Pharcyde, Dilated Peoples and many more, this MC gets overwhelming praise from the crowds that he moves. This acclaim commonly elevates him to the same level as the “main” acts he precedes. His deep, grizzly voice commands attention once heard, and once told, listeners connect with the stories that seamlessly emerge from this MC’s heart and mind.

The foundation has proven to be solid with all three men involved playing their respective roles to the T. Though only released in February 2009 3 The Hardway’s Set In Stone has received countless accolades including being named Hip Hop Album of The Year in Colorado’s own Westword magazine, a highly prestigious honor. Set In Stone, which features Rakaa Iriscience, Defari, Braille, Doujah Raze and both Mane Rok and InkLine of ManeLine is merely the first production by the trio that will prove that they will live up to any title they earn.

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