Evidence (artist)
Encyclopedia
Michael Perretta, better known as Evidence (born December 10, 1976 in Los Angeles, California
), is an American hip hop
artist, producer, and member of the rap group Dilated Peoples
. Evidence is a native of Venice, Los Angeles
and was born to an Italian father and a Russian-American mother. Before becoming a rapper and producer, Evidence was a graffiti artist.
and after the success of their 1997 single "Third Degree" b/w "Confidence" and "Global Dynamics" on ABB Records – and the addition of DJ Babu to the fold a year later—the group quickly became a fixture on the hip hop tour circuit. They hoped their success would serve as a platform for solo projects, much as the Wu-Tang Clan
's success had done before them.
Four albums, and outside production work-including tracks for the Beastie Boys
, Linkin Park
, Swollen Members
, Defari
, Planet Asia
and co- production on Kanye West
's debut album College Dropout which earned him a Grammy, Evidence gives his fans a taste of his talent on his debut solo album The Weatherman LP (ABB Records).
Evidence also made a track directed at Eminem
called "Search 4 Bobby Fisher" during a feud.
Through his work as one-third of Dilated Peoples, Evidence became a champion of hip-hop culture. "This is for people who get what I do,” says Evidence. "If I'm going to come out independently and have the freedom to do what I want, there's no better way to represent. I want to be a leader and carve out a new path."
, Sid Roams (producers Joey Chavez
and Travis "Bravo" Graham), Jake One
, DJ Babu
, DJ Khalil
, and Evidence himself, the album The Weatherman LP
was released March 20, 2007.
"I think people can tell when an artist isn't confident in themselves and on this song I let the audience know I have something to say and I am going to stand behind it. When you come and see me on stage I am going to look you in the eyes and make that connection, I want the audience to know that I am ready to take the responsibility of being a leader, something they can believe in."
Perretta was close with his mother; "I Still Love You" and "Chase The Clouds Away" are both tributes to her. She died due to cancer in 2004. Writing and performing "I Still Love You" was emotionally challenging for Evidence, a single child whose mother was his best friend and confidante. "I produced it, I rapped on it and I recorded it by myself with nobody in the room because I couldn't have anybody around when I was doing it," he explains. "It's the one time you're definitely going to get all of me."
On the release of The Weatherman LP
, Evidence said: "I am not relying on the success of Dilated Peoples to push this album, while they are featured on it and heavily co-signing my solo venture I understand that I am going to have to work twice as hard and get back in front of the people and re-introduce myself through shows, my music, and constant day-to-day networking with my fans. I am not married; I don't have kids, so I can stay on the road all year long if that is what it takes…so at the end of the day what I put in is what I get out and it will all be a reflection of me, Evidence." The next album in the works is going to be called Cats & Dogs
. Evidence is also planning to come out with an album with producer/rapper The Alchemist and are to be called the "Step Brothers"
On July 17, 2009 it was announced that Evidence has signed a deal with Minneapolis based hip-hop label Rhymesayers Entertainment with a YouTube video showing Evidence signing the contract to release his new album Cats & Dogs
due to be released in 2011.
Evidence's new album Cats & Dogs
release date is Sept 27 2011. An album sampler mixed by DJ Babu has been released as well.
In an emotional interview on Conspiracy Worldwide Radio, Evidence discussed his 2011 projects, including the status of Dilated Peoples, a future DJ Premier collaboration and citing the problems he had with the internet releasing his music before he does.
confirm this, Evidence states in his song "It Wasn't Me" that he was originally going to go by Evident but will.i.am mispronounced it as Evidence. Evidence's music video for "It Wasn't Me" includes a cameo appearance by will.i.am.
Extended plays
Instrumentals tapes
Mixtapes
Interviews
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
), is an American hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
artist, producer, and member of the rap group Dilated Peoples
Dilated Peoples
Dilated Peoples is an American hip hop group from Los Angeles, California. The group achieved notability in the underground hip hop community, although they have had little mainstream success in the US, with the exception of the song "This Way," a 2004 collaboration with Kanye West and Xzibit...
. Evidence is a native of Venice, Los Angeles
Venice, Los Angeles, California
Venice is a beachfront district on the Westside of Los Angeles, California, United States. It is known for its canals, beaches and circus-like Ocean Front Walk, a two-and-a-half mile pedestrian-only promenade that features performers, fortune-tellers, artists, and vendors...
and was born to an Italian father and a Russian-American mother. Before becoming a rapper and producer, Evidence was a graffiti artist.
Dilated Peoples
Shortly after meeting QD3, Evidence teamed with the likeminded Rakaa to form the group Dilated PeoplesDilated Peoples
Dilated Peoples is an American hip hop group from Los Angeles, California. The group achieved notability in the underground hip hop community, although they have had little mainstream success in the US, with the exception of the song "This Way," a 2004 collaboration with Kanye West and Xzibit...
and after the success of their 1997 single "Third Degree" b/w "Confidence" and "Global Dynamics" on ABB Records – and the addition of DJ Babu to the fold a year later—the group quickly became a fixture on the hip hop tour circuit. They hoped their success would serve as a platform for solo projects, much as the Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
The Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group from Staten Island that consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group...
's success had done before them.
Four albums, and outside production work-including tracks for the Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys are an American hip hop trio from New York City. The group consists of Mike D who plays the drums, MCA who plays the bass, and Ad-Rock who plays the guitar....
, Linkin Park
Linkin Park
Linkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California. Formed in 1996, the band rose to international fame with their debut album, Hybrid Theory, which was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2005 and multi-platinum in several other countries...
, Swollen Members
Swollen Members
Swollen Members is a Canadian hip hop group from Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada consisting mainly of the duo Mad Child, and Prevail. Frequent collaborators include vocalist Moka Only and producer Rob the Viking, an official group member since 2002...
, Defari
Defari
D.A. Johnson Jr., also known as Defari, is a West Coast hip hop artist. Primarily, he is a solo artist, additionally he is a member of the Likwit Junkies, a rap duo with DJ Babu of Dilated Peoples. He was born at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. He attended the University of...
, Planet Asia
Planet Asia
Planet Asia aka King Medallions is an underground hip hop MC from Fresno, California who is a member of hiphop groups the Cali Agents, and Skhool Yard...
and co- production on Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
's debut album College Dropout which earned him a Grammy, Evidence gives his fans a taste of his talent on his debut solo album The Weatherman LP (ABB Records).
Evidence also made a track directed at Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
called "Search 4 Bobby Fisher" during a feud.
Through his work as one-third of Dilated Peoples, Evidence became a champion of hip-hop culture. "This is for people who get what I do,” says Evidence. "If I'm going to come out independently and have the freedom to do what I want, there's no better way to represent. I want to be a leader and carve out a new path."
Solo work
With production from The AlchemistThe Alchemist (producer)
Alan Daniel Maman , better known as The Alchemist, is an American hip hop producer, DJ and rapper. He hails from Beverly Hills, California...
, Sid Roams (producers Joey Chavez
Joey Chavez
Joey Chavez is an American Hip hop producer, from Los Angeles, California. Starting in the early 90s He is known in the underground Hip hop scene on production credits for Defari, Aceyalone, Phil da Agony, Encore, Dilated Peoples, Boom Bap Project, Kool Keith and mainstream acts such as the Beastie...
and Travis "Bravo" Graham), Jake One
Jake One
Jacob Dutton, better known as Jake One, is an American hip hop record producer from Seattle, Washington.-Biography:Dutton grew up in Capitol Hill and moved to the North End of Seattle when he was 15. He started making music on a Casio keyboard in 1992. He attended the University of Washington and...
, DJ Babu
DJ Babu
DJ Babu is a Filipino-American DJ. One-third of the hip hop group Dilated Peoples , Babu is also a member of the Beat Junkies DJ crew, and together with rapper Defari forms the duo the Likwit Junkies. DJ Babu, Evidence and Pharoahe Monch also feature in the song H! Vltg3 on Linkin Park's...
, DJ Khalil
DJ Khalil
Khalil Abdul-Rahman, better known by his stage name DJ Khalil, is a Los Angeles based American hip hop/soul record producer, and is the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Self Scientific, together with rapper Chace Infinite...
, and Evidence himself, the album The Weatherman LP
The Weatherman LP
The Weatherman LP is the first album by Dilated Peoples member Evidence, released March 20, 2007 by ABB.- Background :Besides Evidence, other rappers on the album include Phonte, Planet Asia, Rapper Big Pooh, Defari and Slug. The album also features vocals by Noelle Scaggs, Res and Kobe...
was released March 20, 2007.
"I think people can tell when an artist isn't confident in themselves and on this song I let the audience know I have something to say and I am going to stand behind it. When you come and see me on stage I am going to look you in the eyes and make that connection, I want the audience to know that I am ready to take the responsibility of being a leader, something they can believe in."
Perretta was close with his mother; "I Still Love You" and "Chase The Clouds Away" are both tributes to her. She died due to cancer in 2004. Writing and performing "I Still Love You" was emotionally challenging for Evidence, a single child whose mother was his best friend and confidante. "I produced it, I rapped on it and I recorded it by myself with nobody in the room because I couldn't have anybody around when I was doing it," he explains. "It's the one time you're definitely going to get all of me."
On the release of The Weatherman LP
The Weatherman LP
The Weatherman LP is the first album by Dilated Peoples member Evidence, released March 20, 2007 by ABB.- Background :Besides Evidence, other rappers on the album include Phonte, Planet Asia, Rapper Big Pooh, Defari and Slug. The album also features vocals by Noelle Scaggs, Res and Kobe...
, Evidence said: "I am not relying on the success of Dilated Peoples to push this album, while they are featured on it and heavily co-signing my solo venture I understand that I am going to have to work twice as hard and get back in front of the people and re-introduce myself through shows, my music, and constant day-to-day networking with my fans. I am not married; I don't have kids, so I can stay on the road all year long if that is what it takes…so at the end of the day what I put in is what I get out and it will all be a reflection of me, Evidence." The next album in the works is going to be called Cats & Dogs
Cats & Dogs (Evidence album)
-Samples:* "You" - "You Send Me" by Mavis Staples* "Late For The Sky" - "Late For The Sky" by Jackson Browne* "Where You Come From?" - "Exhibit C" by Jay Electronica* "The Red Carpet" - "God Save America" by Congress Alley...
. Evidence is also planning to come out with an album with producer/rapper The Alchemist and are to be called the "Step Brothers"
On July 17, 2009 it was announced that Evidence has signed a deal with Minneapolis based hip-hop label Rhymesayers Entertainment with a YouTube video showing Evidence signing the contract to release his new album Cats & Dogs
Cats & Dogs (Evidence album)
-Samples:* "You" - "You Send Me" by Mavis Staples* "Late For The Sky" - "Late For The Sky" by Jackson Browne* "Where You Come From?" - "Exhibit C" by Jay Electronica* "The Red Carpet" - "God Save America" by Congress Alley...
due to be released in 2011.
Evidence's new album Cats & Dogs
Cats & Dogs (Evidence album)
-Samples:* "You" - "You Send Me" by Mavis Staples* "Late For The Sky" - "Late For The Sky" by Jackson Browne* "Where You Come From?" - "Exhibit C" by Jay Electronica* "The Red Carpet" - "God Save America" by Congress Alley...
release date is Sept 27 2011. An album sampler mixed by DJ Babu has been released as well.
In an emotional interview on Conspiracy Worldwide Radio, Evidence discussed his 2011 projects, including the status of Dilated Peoples, a future DJ Premier collaboration and citing the problems he had with the internet releasing his music before he does.
Origin of name
Though there is no direct interview in which Evidence or will.i.amWill.i.am
William James Adams, Jr. , better known by his stage name will.i.am and occasionally by his other stage name Zuper Blahq, is an American rapper, musician, songwriter, singer, actor and producer...
confirm this, Evidence states in his song "It Wasn't Me" that he was originally going to go by Evident but will.i.am mispronounced it as Evidence. Evidence's music video for "It Wasn't Me" includes a cameo appearance by will.i.am.
Discography
Studio albums- The Weatherman LPThe Weatherman LPThe Weatherman LP is the first album by Dilated Peoples member Evidence, released March 20, 2007 by ABB.- Background :Besides Evidence, other rappers on the album include Phonte, Planet Asia, Rapper Big Pooh, Defari and Slug. The album also features vocals by Noelle Scaggs, Res and Kobe...
(2007) - Cats & DogsCats & Dogs (Evidence album)-Samples:* "You" - "You Send Me" by Mavis Staples* "Late For The Sky" - "Late For The Sky" by Jackson Browne* "Where You Come From?" - "Exhibit C" by Jay Electronica* "The Red Carpet" - "God Save America" by Congress Alley...
(2011) - Untitled Step Brothers Project (with The AlchemistThe Alchemist (producer)Alan Daniel Maman , better known as The Alchemist, is an American hip hop producer, DJ and rapper. He hails from Beverly Hills, California...
)
Extended plays
- The Layover EPThe Layover EPThe Layover EP is the first EP by Dilated Peoples member Evidence, released on November 25, 2008 by Decon.- Background :The idea for The Layover EP originally came about while he was on tour with Little Brother. It was originally going to be a 5 track release produced entirely by North Carolina...
(2008)
Instrumentals tapes
- Yellow Tape Instrumentals (2004)
- Red Tape Instrumentals (2007)
- The Purple Tape Instrumentals (2008)
Mixtapes
- The Layover Mixtape (2008)
- I Don't Need Love (Evidence vs. The BeatlesThe BeatlesThe Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
) (2010)
Further reading
External links
Interviews
- The People Want Me: Evidence
- Dubcnn.com | Evidence Interview
- Evidence interview - houseofhiphop.nl | House of HipHop
- DJBooth.net | Evidence Interview
- Evidence Interview | CHAMPMAG.COM
- HipHopGame.com | Evidence Interview
- Evidence talks Cats & Dogs
- Peak Street Magazine,?uizlove - Evidence vs. Peak Street