Grills, Skills and Purple Spills marked the remarkable comeback and return of the 3rd Degree clique after the success of their 2002 album 3rd Coast From The Sun. 3rd Degree – Grills, Skills and Purple Spills showcased the best out of the 3rd Degree Entertainment roster back in 2002. The album showcased the best of their lyrical ability, hard punchlines, skills, and flows which their artists had to offer. Liveola and Lil Ken were raw with those hard ass punch lines! Liveola was breakin mics. So was Mark G. Liveola, Lil Ken, and 50/50 Twin killed and wrecked that hoe on the Grills, Skills & Purple Spills album. 3rd Degree – Grills, Skills and Purple Spills is still some of the hardest and best shit ever.

This album set the blueprint and formula for San Antonio rap back in the early 2000s by featuring rappers from different cities in Texas. The album had rappers from San Antonio, Houston, and Austin. This is something in that had never been done before in San Antonio rap prior to Big Ballin or Urban City.

3rd Degree – Grills, Skills and Purple Spills is one of those impossible to find albums which are difficult to obtain as the album was solely sold in San Antonio, Texas. That is because this album was pressed up as a limited edition album originally. This album was solely sold at Urban City at Ingram Park Mall and Windsor Park Mall. And also Hogwild Records and Tha Stash Spot. This album was sold straight out of the trunk and at the malls in San Antonio, Texas.

Now this album was repressed around 2005 but not as a limited edition. The first press edition of this album has the caption “LIMITED EDITION” located on the lower right hand corner. The 2005 repress does not have the caption “LIMITED EDITION” located on the lower right hand corner.

Liveola, Lil Ken, and 50/50 Twin killed and wrecked that hoe on San Antone On Tha Map. Lil Ken definitely wrecked that hoe on this track. Liveola and Lil Ken’s verses were definitely some of the most hardest, aggressive, and versatile verses on San Antone On Tha Map. One thing is for sure is that Lil Ken has got bars for days and is the coldest. Classic shit from San Antonio.

Now not many people know this but Percy Faith – Early in the Morning and Noreaga (N.O.R.E.) – Come Thru are the samples that was used in San Antone On Tha Map.

Lil Ken started off the song with his verse with his lyrics which went as follows, “San Antone on tha map/No need for introduction/Trunk open and it sound like a live percussion/I ain’t hard to miss when I pull up on glass/Spokes sticking out like retards in an honors class”

San Antone on tha map
No need for introduction
Trunk open and it sound like a live percussion
I ain’t hard to miss when I pull up on glass
Spokes sticking out like retards in an honors class

Lil Ken showcases his humorous side with these lyrics.

Not boasting but hoes lick my piece like stamps/Got yellow the same color as SpongeBob SquarePants
Trunk open and it sound like a live percussion/I ain’t hard to miss when I pull up on glass
Spokes sticking out like retards in honors class
Mouth piece the reason why gals spread legs like Jordan symbols

Kyle Lee comes down and does his thing with own lyrics. Here is how he starts off his verse, “I can’t deny/Im’ma ride out the south/Glidin on 19’s on a candy red gloss/I feel like a boss when I hog the lane/From SA-Town to Maine Im’ma do my thang/I’m untamed”

I can’t deny
Im’ma ride out the south
Glidin on 19’s on a candy red gloss
I feel like a boss when I hog the lane
From SA-Town to Maine Im’ma do my thang

Papa Smurf had some of the coldest lyrics on the song which are, “Don’t hate my trunk shake a vertebrae/And my rims still spinnin when I hit the brakes/Papa Smurf I’m too cold” Classic shit from 3rd Degree.

Liveola was ahead of his time with his unorthodox punch lines. “Jordan scared to shoot dice cause he heard I break mics” You might remember the lyrics “Jordan scared to shoot dice cause he heard I break mics” which came from “Jordan scared to shoot dice cause he heard I break mics/Is everybody aight?”

Hello is one of the lesser known songs off the Grills, Skills, and Purple Spills album which did not receive as much attention or acclaim such as Mash Mode, Represent, or Antone On Tha Map did. The song has a much brash aggressive sound with a touch of loudness. Hello features Liveola, Kyle Lee, and Lil Ken.

One thing that stands out about the song is how Liveola proclaims himself to be the best president. He calls himself the president throughout the entirety of this song. Nevertheless Liveola is one of the hardest rappers outta San Antonio next to Lil Ken, Mark G, King 13, C Stud Vill, Nino, Princess Kaos, and Lil Short among other contemporaries.

Represent has eerie 90s gangsta rap sound and G-Funk vibe due to having the eerie G-Funk whines and G-Funk synths. So listen to the smooth Southern shit this song has to offer. Liveola and Kyle Lee wrecked that hoe. Liveola was bout it, bout it. Liveola and Kyle Lee represented San Antonio, Texas throughout the whole song. Liveola went crazy with it on this one here.

One of the hardest lyrics to the song were Liveola’s lyrics in a one-liner which went, “Not even Quentin Tarantino couldn’t play this role”

You’re lying to yourself if you think Liveola is wack and doesn’t wreck. So you best back back or prepare for impact. It’s fight or flight. Liveola explains this in lyrics to his verse, “If you say Liveola don’t wreck, you’re lying to yourself/You better get about 50 feet because I’m bad for your health”

I rate this album 5/5*****!