3ChordFold

Released in 2013, 3ChordFold stands as a pivotal document in the modern Los Angeles music scene, predating and foreshadowing the jazz-inflected sounds of Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly. Terrace Martin, already a respected producer for the likes of Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa, used this project to fully realize his vision of '3ChordFold' - the intersection of the Freeloader, the Renter, and the Buyer. Sonically, the album is a sophisticated blend of nu-jazz and contemporary R&B, featuring a heavy-hitting roster of collaborators including Robert Glasper, Thundercat, Ab-Soul, and Kendrick Lamar. The production is notable for its use of vintage analog gear and live instrumentation, creating a 'West Coast' sound that is more soulful and harmonically complex than traditional G-funk. It received critical acclaim for its ability to bridge the gap between hip-hop heads and jazz purists, solidifying Martin's role as a primary architect of the LA jazz-rap fusion movement.