Tre Hardson, once known as SlimKid3 of the seminal ’90s hip-hop act The Pharcyde, wears many hats. Since he embarked on a solo career, Hardson has emceed, acted and become a teacher and counselor to young musicians, all while filling the shoes of a businessman and promoter for his musical ambitions.
Hardson continually carves notch after notch into his career belt, from films to albums. He recently finished off his second solo record, “SlimKid3’s Cafe,” out this week, and has started touring with Arrested Development’s MC Speech, which will make an appearance in Eugene at Latitude 21 Saturday evening.
Hardson is first and foremost an artist. From a young age he conjured up beats and melodies almost subconsciously.
“Ever since I was in junior high school, I couldn’t concentrate in class because I always had music in my head,” Hardson said.
The music nags at him constantly, Hardson said, forcing him to stop what he’s doing and write.
“They haunt me until they come out,” Hardson said. “I really get restless and can’t sleep until I do what I’m told musically or lyrically.”
What seems like a dream come true to some musicians burdens Hardson.
“It sucks actually,” Hardson said. “But I appreciate what comes out, because it’s really beautiful stuff.”
That creative energy helps Hardson build an extensive library of music that fueled “SlimKid3’s Cafe,” the follow up to “Liberation.”
Before he left The Pharcyde, Hardson picked up a few instruments and started learning how to play. That work shows on “Liberation” and “SlimKid3’s Cafe,” each of which cross many musical genres and move away from the two-turntables-and-a-microphone conventions of most hip-hop.
Hardson works with a wide group of musicians, replacing the electronic with real present and physical talent. The music bears elements of hip-hop, soul, funk, rock and much more.
Midway through his most recent album, Hardson takes a moment to list the important influences that have brought him to this album. Hardson gives shout outs to Jimi Hendrix, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Prince along with De La Soul, Tribe Called Quest, KRS-1 and his own group The Pharcyde. Put all that music together and you’re close to what Hardson’s music sounds like.
The newest album continues with the same live musicianship, but has loosened itself lyrically. “Liberation” represented the spiritual and political thoughts of Hardson, which he admits may have been a little “preachy.” With “SlimKid3’s Cafe,” Hardson hopes to create a happier atmosphere.
“Some people just want to hear a simple song,” Hardson said. “I just wanted to shake all of that heaviness off of this record, and maybe even the next record.”
The new album gets a running start on this goal, opening with the track “Ice Cream Dreams” in which Hardson rhymes about cold sweets in the same way an addict talks about a hit.
The rest of the album slides along, soulful and laid back, recounting stories of love and passion.
As this album hits stores Hardson keeps busy touring and promoting, wearing the various artist and business hats he owns. It’s a far cry from his days with The Pharcyde. Dropping the hit singles “Passin’ Me By” and “Ya Mama” Hardson had the luxury of focusing on his craft, leaving the business of promoting gold album “Bizarre Ride II” to Delicious Vinyl Records.
“To be pampered is great.” Hardson said. “Everyone likes having a village to take care of them.”
Hardson imagines a list of things he could accomplish artistically if he had the financial backing and the work force of a larger label, rather than running his business himself.
“Being independent is really difficult,” Hardson said. “You need all sorts of funding to make it happen properly.”
Although he gets some help from musicians, businesses associates and even his girlfriend, Martha Calhoon who attends the University, Hardson helms his own ship, trying to balance the life and mindset of an artist with that of a promoter and accountant.
“It’s a business,” Hardson said. “So all my insecurities and personal stuff, I have to put it aside to do business.”
Hardson succeeds at this by hiring the best and placing them in the best position.
“It’s like a vehicle. There’s a tire, a trunk and an engine,” Hardson said. “It’s like, be the best tire you can be in your system, and don’t try to be the muffler.”
But Hardson drives the vehicle, purchasing visibility at record stores,pitching his albums to radio stations and taking time to talk with interviewers.
But despite the troubles of a self-promoted career, Hardson has the advantage of being his own boss. He answers to himself, rather than a record industry that is more interested in numbers than in creating great art. Hardson says that when record execs are looking for that “single” they don’t mean just a great track.
“They mean ‘singles’ as in, how can we make this more attractive?” Hardson said. “How can we make it more sparkly, more marketable for people to buy it?”
Hardson feels that the record industry creates singles with guest appearances from popular emcees like 50 Cent or Dr. Dre, regardless of whether the end result is good music.
“If I’m toothpaste, and that’s cereal, we don’t go together,” Hardson said, indicating that his music is different from the typical top-40.
Hardson uses his decade-plus of experience to educate younger performers at the Musician’s Institute in Los Angeles. The Musician’s Institute puts experienced performers and producers in a classroom with young hopefuls and educates the craft of contemporary music. Hardson teaches classes in performance and production, but also works as a counselor and guide for talented musicians, helping them to the next step.
“Kids come in and play their music,” Hardson said. “I can hear their whole life. I’ll know exactly what they’re going through in their lives, what their blockage is.”
Hardson benefits from the classes as well, having access to new talent, which often appears on his records and tours. Ann Chung, a student Hardson met through the Musician’s Institute, appears on his newest album.
“I’ll take some students on the road just to know how it is to starve to death,” Hardson said.
Hardson tries to introduce students to what it’s like living off of music and helps them jump to the next level of their career.
“Students need places to go,” Hardson said. “I want to take kids to the next level. I don’t want them to feel lost.”
He’s passing on the focus and direction that he has now. Cranking out a new album, and heading off on a tour, Hardson already has plans for the next step. After this tour, he’ll go on another one; he’s gearing up for new albums, drawing from his extensive library of unreleased music and eventually hoping to record a live album. While running the business side of things as well, Hardson walks a fine line between independent artist and promoter.