Las Vegas, Nevada is generally known for the glitz and glamour of The Strip. Bright lights, enticing hotel billboards and sounds of pure joy ring through Las Vegas Blvd every night, creating the illusion that is Sin City. What’s talked about very little, though, is the underbelly of the city. The underbelly that includes drugs, prostitution, murder and much much more. Las Vegas trio Menace To $ociety, decides to channel this side of the 702 with their hard hitting new tape, Balance: Light & Dark: Part 1.

Meshing in tales of poverty and perseverance with melodic, synth-driven beats and dusty drum breaks, the trio seems to stumble on a formula not used too often in today’s musical climate. Consisting of brothers Santino and Francis Rivera as well as Mason Liefreid; the crew showcases elements reminiscent of early Hip-Hop, but without the polish. On the track, “Gotta Flex”, they highlight their lyrical abilities – as well as their life struggles — with bars such as “Living in a city with nothing but drug dealer and junkies,” and “Education less available than drugs/ I just tell the truth it’s up to you to listen up.” Though you can hear the inexperience in their voices, their potential potency as a group brings you back on board in an instant.

Check out the tape below and be sure to keep an eye on the Sin City natives.

The post RESPECT. The Tape: Menace To $ociety – ‘Balance: Light & Dark: Part 1’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.