Jus Def is now at the point where his moniker has become a brand name in itself. You know that if someone is rockin' a pair of Nike's they can't be wearin' bobos. Same thing with a mixtape bought to life by Jus Def. Regardless of the style or concept it's bound to be bangin'. No shock that volume three of his successful Gold Diggaz series follows suit. The clever play on words actually refers to dinn' in the crates for classics from Hip Hop's golden era.

As always, Philly is well represented as DJ Miz kicks offthe party withthe classic Freshco collabo We Don't Play. Bahamadia's Funk Vibe blends right in as does The Return Of The Holy One from Trenton's YZ. Other nuggets of gold include early Jay-Z with his Twista like flow and the always pleasing Pharcyde classic Passing Me By. Keeping in mind that the one thing that makes a mixtape desireable is its inclusion of specialties, Jus Def throws in a live version of O.P.P. and the slept on Knock Em Out remix that 45 King brings to life for the unheralded MC Sugar Ray and the infectious Dirt Nation ode to Khadija.

Honestly, there isn't much to break down aside from a discussion of the tracks included. JD basically plays one song after another without fanfare. In this case it isn't a weakness but rather a chance for hungry Hip Hoppers to gain access to the gold that they crave so much. Think of Gold Diggaz Volume 3 as another in a line of satisfying retro compilations. Well done.

1. We Don't Play- Freshco & Miz
2. Get N Open- Original Flavor & Jay-Z
3. Punks Jump Up(Diamond D mix)- Brand Nubian & Diamond D
4. Passing Me By (remix)- Pharcyde
5. Funk Vibe- Bahamadia
6. Jazz (remix)- A Tribe Called Quest
7. O.P.P. (live)- Naughty By Nature
8. Chorus Line- Ultramagnetic MCs & Tim Dog
9. Similak Child (remix)- Black Sheep
10. Live From The House Of Hits- Intelligent Hoodlum & Craig G
11. Credit Is Due- Gang Starr
12. The Return Of The Holy One- YZ
13. Knock Em Out (45 King remix)- MC Sugar Ray
14. Khadija- Dirt Nation
15. We In There (ATCQ remix)- KRS-ONE

jusdef.net

Review by Funk Wizard Snow
Editor- PhillyHipHop.com
January, 2005