The creative partnership between respected producer Jase Beathedz (Obese Records, Nubreed) aka Shem and veteran rapper Eloquor and young emcee Plire, Cerberus III are a Melbourne crew that focus on a boom-bap style of hip hop that incorporates modern productions and beats.
After releasing their debut record 'Stick Thick' last year, the trio have returned with a five-track EP 'Roll Up' that they dropped on Friday.What's the story behind how Cerberus III came to be; had you guys collaborated, performed together previously?
Eloquor and Shem (Jase Beathdez) worked together as music teachers at a small community school in Melbourne where they first met Plire. They both taught a young Plire from 2013-2016.
They saw he was extremely dedicated to making music and often stayed back with him after school to record songs and help him hone his craft. The relationships built through these years paved the way for Cerberus III.
When did you decide to make it official and form as a crew; and is the main focus just to release new jams together or is there another calling also involved?
In 2017, Retayner invited all of us separately to record a verse for his 'The Connection Part 1' video clip. We met up at Pyrex's studio to record our raps and over a couple of bourbon and cokes we thought it would be a good idea to start a crew.
Each member's own musical path; you've each crafted your own careers in the industry; what sort of journey have each of you had leading into this project?
Shem (Jase Beathedz) produced for Midnight and Nuffsaid, and then Obese Records. He then toured for eight years as Nubreed doing electronic music before he released 'Jase Connection Volume 1' through Obese Records.
Eloquor released his debut album ('Move Up') in 2009 and since then released a combination of 11 EPs and LPs. He toured as Briggs hypeman for two years and Pegz hypeman for the 'Drama' tour.
Plire is currently working on his debut studio album and has released over 40 solo tracks since 2013. His experience of homelessness and street life is a major influence in his perspective and lyrical content.
Last year, the group dropped its debut album 'Stick Thick'; it's classic boom-bap Aussie hip hop (reminds me of the late '90s, early '00s) – is there a particular style of hip hop you want to make or do you let each song take its own creative path?
We all have such different tastes in hip hop music. Jase is such a powerhouse producer that we are spoilt with choice when it comes to beats. Usually if we all like a particular beat we jump on it. We never force creativity. If only two of us are feeling it then we don't insist the other member to write to it.
Lyrical direction, themes/ issues the crew wants to highlight via the music; is there an agenda to follow or is each track its own little world?
We let the music bring out emotions, stories and memories. Often songs write themselves. Some tracks are deep and some are straight-up party vibes. We just go with what feels right at the time.
The new EP, 'Roll Up' dropped at the end of July; how does this collection of tracks follow on from the material on 'Stick Thick'?
We just follow the same formula. Choose beats we love and write to them. Spend time together recording and hanging out, and the songs just take a life of their own. 'Roll Up' is a little more polished and we feel this collection of tracks really share a common sound.
Mack Moses features on the title song (adding a sweet soulful feel to the EP); how did that collaboration come about and are more collaborations part of future Cerberus III joints?
Over the years we have all built our individual music industry networks and relationships. The benefit of working as a crew is that we share our networks, knowledge and contacts.
We promote our music through our individual social media platforms and friendship circles. There is strength in numbers. Mack Moses is one of Shem's contacts and we were fortunate enough to have his killer pipes feature on our title track.
Shao One, the young protégé of Jase, features on another EP track 'Those Days'; what do we need to know about Shao and is it cool to be assisting the next gen of hip hop artists with such opportunities?
Shem and Shao have made five albums together. All of which are before Shao's eighteenth birthday.
Like Plire, Shao was also once a student of Shem's. Shao is incredibly driven and deadset on making a career in hip hop. Shem has taught Shao the skills of music production, writing and engineering preparing him for the challenges and glory that await.
You had the group's LP launch postponed twice due to COVID lockdowns, something majority of musicians, touring artists have encountered almost ubiquitously since March last year; how did those experiences affect the group?
It was incredibly frustrating but made us more determined. We understand that we all get knocked down time to time. We just pick ourselves up and keep pushing forward. We had about 15 rehearsals for the launch before we actually got the chance to rock it. In an uncanny way, the lockdowns forced us to improve our live set.
The biggest lesson you've learned the past 12 months dealing with COVID and the related restrictions/ lockdowns?
Put out the music when it feels right and don't waste time second guessing. We found ourselves getting caught up in overthinking our tracks and the relevance of our sound.
I'd like to think that we've learnt that when a track is finished it's ready to release. It's no good holding on to unreleased joints that end up stored in a hard drive never seeing the light of day.
Which member has the freshest collection of sneakers?
Eloquor with his Air Max.
Looking ahead to the future; what are the plans with Cerberus III?
We'll keep working on more content, more clips, more collabs and more shows. We don't put much pressure on ourselves and more or less just have fun making music we like and enjoy. Shem is working on 'Jase Connection Volume 2', and both Plire and Eloquor are continually releasing individual projects and tracks.
Thanks for your time; anything else you’d like to add?
Just a word to the young peeps out there; make music that you enjoy which gives you pleasure. Don't worry about staying relevant and making songs that are 'now' and representing the current sound. Walk the path less travelled and create your own sound.
