Major Weight Media made the only release of their career with Music Speaks Louder in 1997. Over original instrumentation, rappers Lil Kriz and Big D lay back on g-funk-inspired beats across the six-track extended play with accompaniment by DJ Tre and keyboardist/bassist Curtis Seals. Music Speaks Louder was independently released (by the group’s namesake), self-produced (by Lil Kriz) and likely not ever making it far out of Seattle in its original pressing. Not that the dreams of Lil Kriz and Big D could be contained in the implications of being based “off-the-map” in the terms of mainstream hip hop. They sound as if the whole world was listening when it comes to their performance on “Maintain’n”.

The track opens with Big D’s material aspirations of cars, apartments, clothes and overseas bank accounts but he is drawn back to his immediate situation; rumours apparently swirl that he is wanted out on the streets although one would “never catch [him] slipping.” He “goes about [his] day anyway” as he is all about the pay that he does make. Kriz reflects on his own emergence as an artist, explains his blunt-smoking habits and shares stories of his daily explorations in Seattle. The confidence in their experiences is exemplified by the hook (“You can’t fuck with us (and that’s a fact) / ’cause we’ve been straight moving major weight since way back”). Their smooth vocal performances are only furthered by the stunning instrumental that provides the perfect backdrop.

Big D mentions in his opening verse about his need for movement due to a disdain for being stuck in one place. How unfortunate that Music Speaks Louder never found its own ability to disseminate. “Maintain’n” is exemplary.