The Pharcyde
Encyclopedia
The Pharcyde (ˈfɑrsaɪd) are an alternative hip hop
group based in South Central Los Angeles
. The original four members of the group are Imani
(Emandu Wilcox), Slimkid3
(Trevant Hardson), Bootie Brown (Romye Robinson) and Fatlip
(Derrick Stewart). DJ Mark Luv was the group's first DJ, followed by producer J-Swift
and then J Dilla
. The group is best known for the hit singles "Drop
", "Passin' Me By
" and "Runnin'", as well as their first album, Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde
.
, Bootie Brown, and Imani
met as dancers in the late 1980s and dancing was their main ambition as late as 1990. Around this time, Imani
and Slimkid3
were in a group called "As Is" and later a group called the "Play Brothers", whilst Bootie Brown was a backup dancer for Fatlip
(Fatlip
being the last member to join the group). Bootie Brown recalls that their earlier dancing careers influenced their rapping
- "sometimes the way I rap is almost like the way I used to dance". The group met Reggie Andrews, a local high-school music teacher who worked with the Dazz Band and Rick James
, and who was a major musical influence on their debut album. The group also met producer J-Swift
around this time, as he was Reggie Andrews's "star pupil" according to the book Check the Technique
.
", "Ya Mama", and "Officer", and hired a manager, Paul Stewart, who had worked for Cypress Hill
, De La Soul
, and House of Pain
. Mike Ross of Delicious Vinyl
heard the demo and the group was signed to the label in the summer of 1991 - they were first featured on Brand New Heavies
's album Heavy Rhyme Experience, Vol. 1
, on the song "Soul Flower", released by Delicious Vinyl
in 1992.
The group, along with producer J-Swift
, recorded their first album Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde
, which was released in September 1992.. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1996. The album was highly acclaimed, and became one of the most praised and influential alternative hip hop
albums of the 1990s.
Their second single "Passin' Me By
" became a minor Billboard hit, peaking at #52 on the Hot 100
. The song was later featured in the hit movie Big Daddy and was also a crossover modern rock
hit. The song is now usually considered a golden-era staple and is the group's most well known song. The album featured a couple of guest MCs, Bucwheed (known then as Buckwheat, formerly of the alternative hip-hop group The Wascals) on the tracks "On The DL" and "I'm That Type of Nigga".
Problems between the group and producer J-Swift
began during the recording of the debut, with infighting and "personality conflicts". J-Swift started a crack habit, from which he is still trying to recover. A documentary, 1 More Hit
(2007), recorded his attempts to recover from his addiction and to regain his music career.
After the Bizarre Ride album was released, the group began touring with A Tribe Called Quest
and De La Soul
, culminating with an appearance at the Lollapalooza
show in 1994.
In 1994, Pharcyde appeared on the Red Hot Organization
's compilation album, Stolen Moments: Red Hot + Cool. The album, meant to raise awareness and funds in support of the AIDS epidemic in relation to the African American community, was heralded as "Album of the Year" by Time Magazine.
. The album received mixed reviews, maybe due to a different musical direction from the light-hearted playfulness of their debut. The album included another big crossover hit, "Runnin'
", peaking at #55 on the Billboard Hot 100. This single was later featured in the movie 8 Mile
, as well as the More Music from 8 Mile
soundtrack. Labcabincalifornia featured production from producers Jay Dee
(who handled the majority of the production) and Diamond D
. This album had worse sales, not reaching gold status. A music video for the song "Drop
" was directed by Spike Jonze
.
Problems grew between Fatlip and the other MCs after this album, resulting in his leaving the group. In a video interview with director Spike Jonze, featured on the bonus DVD from his solo album, In the documentary Cydeways: The Best of The Pharcyde, while the group is performing in shows they still offer their support to Fatlip, telling the crowd that if they support Fatlip on his solo career then they support The Pharcyde and vice versa.
The group released a full studio album later in 2000 titled Plain Rap
. The album had a lukewarm reception both critically and commercially.
Soon after the release, member Slimkid3, now going by his birth name of Tre Hardson, left the group to pursue a solo career. In 2002, he released his first solo album titled Liberation.
In the music video for the song "Trust" (featured on Plain Rap), the rest of the group's disdain for Fatlip's departure is evident as he is portrayed as a sad faced clown, being constantly attacked in the video. Tre Hardson's animated self is shown to transform into a phoenix that flies away at the end of his verse, which can be interpreted as more of an acceptance of his departure from the remaining two members.
in 2004. The album received even less attention critically and commercially than their last effort. This album introduced Schmooche Cat and Spaceboy Boogie X as new members and Spaceboy Boogie X as producer to the group.
The album was released on the group's own independent record label, Chapter One Entertainment.
is to date the last Pharcyde album, and its members have since been keeping busy with various contributions and projects. A compilation of The Pharcyde was released in 2005, titled Sold My Soul: The Remix & Rarity Collection
, featuring a number of remixes and rare songs. Former member Fatlip released his solo debut in 2005, titled The Loneliest Punk
, and Tre Hardson's second full length solo album SLIMKID3's Cafe was released on 4 April 2006.
In late 2007, Tre toured with L.A. Latin-funk-hip hop band Ozomatli
on their Winter Tour throughout the United States.
The Pharcyde and Souls of Mischief
have collaborated together to form a group called "Almyghty Myghty Pythons" and have since released a collaboration album titled Almyghty Myghty Pythons. Recently production from the group has died down, but it was said by Imani in an interview that it is to be an ongoing project.
Fatlip and Tre Hardson have since reunited to perform on 'The Over 30, Dirty Old Men Tour'. Fatlip and Tre Hardson were featured in the song "All I Want for Christmas (Is Somebody Else)" featuring St. Imey (formerly of The Wascals) and produced by J-Swift
on Delicious Vinyl
records.
In 2005, Bootie Brown made a guest appearance on Gorillaz
' single "Dirty Harry
", from the album Demon Days
. The verse was a narrative of a soldier on the frontlines in Iraq. He often fills in for rapper Mos Def
on the Gorillaz
' song Stylo
on the group's Escape to Plastic Beach World Tour
& at the Glastonbury Festival
in 2010.
On Delicious Vinyl's official YouTube page, it is said that more music from Tre Hardson, Fatlip, J-Swift and St. Imey are expected to be released early 2008. It also calls these artists the label's 'Dream Team'.Hoden
On April 22, 2008 it was announced that The Pharcyde would be reuniting for the annual Rock the Bells Festival Series. The first performance was Saturday, July 19 in Chicago.
Remixes of The Pharcyde's "Runnin" and "Passin' Me By" appear on Delicious Vinyl's 2008 release, Rmxxology.
The Pharcyde toured Australia in February 2009 as part of the Good Vibrations Festival, and played in Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast and Perth, which was headlined by Fatboy Slim. They also headlined at the All Points West Festival in Liberty State Park, NJ on July 31, 2009.
The Pharcyde also reunited at Rhymesayers Entertainment's soundset, Memorial Day Weekend, 2009, and were the co-headliners of the festival, which was also headlined by Atmosphere and featured many other underground artists.
Uncle Imani went on theFIVE10 Radio to talk about the story behind the growth and demise of The Pharcyde.
Alternative hip hop
Alternative hip hop is a sub-genre of hip hop music. Allmusic defines it as follows: -Origin:...
group based in South Central Los Angeles
South Los Angeles
South Los Angeles, often abbreviated as South L.A. and formerly South Central Los Angeles, is the official name for a large geographic and cultural portion lying to the southwest and southeast of downtown Los Angeles, California. The area was formerly called South Central, and is still widely known...
. The original four members of the group are Imani
Imani (rapper)
Emandu Rashaan Wilcox , better known as Imani is a West Coast MC. He was one of the four founding members of the hip hop group The Pharcyde...
(Emandu Wilcox), Slimkid3
Slimkid3
SLIMKID3 also known as "Slim Kid Tre" and "Tre Hardson", was one of the four original members of Los Angeles innovative hip hop group The Pharcyde.-Two For Two:...
(Trevant Hardson), Bootie Brown (Romye Robinson) and Fatlip
Fatlip
Fatlip is a Los Angeles-born hip hop musician. He started his career in the hip hop group The Pharcyde.-The Pharcyde:...
(Derrick Stewart). DJ Mark Luv was the group's first DJ, followed by producer J-Swift
J-Swift
J-Swift is an American music producer responsible for songs with groups on the Delicious Vinyl Label. He has produced the alternative rap groups The Pharcyde and The Wascals.-Biography:...
and then J Dilla
J Dilla
James Dewitt Yancey , better known by the stage names J Dilla and Jay Dee, was an American record producer who emerged from the mid-1990s underground hip hop scene in Detroit, Michigan...
. The group is best known for the hit singles "Drop
Drop (song)
"Drop" is a single by alternative hip-hop group The Pharcyde, released in 1995 as the first single for the group's second album, Labcabincalifornia. The single contains a vocal sample of the Beastie Boys song "The New Style", using the titular "mmm.......
", "Passin' Me By
Passin' Me By
"Passin' Me By" is a song by Californian hip-hop group The Pharcyde, released in March 1993 through Delicious Vinyl Records. The song was the second single released from the group's 1992 debut Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde...
" and "Runnin'", as well as their first album, Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde
Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde
Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde is the debut album of American hip hop group The Pharcyde, released on November 24, 1992 through Delicious Vinyl Records. The album was produced by former group member J-Swift, and features only one guest appearance, provided by little known Los Angeles rapper Bucwheed...
.
Early years
Pharcyde group members Slimkid3Slimkid3
SLIMKID3 also known as "Slim Kid Tre" and "Tre Hardson", was one of the four original members of Los Angeles innovative hip hop group The Pharcyde.-Two For Two:...
, Bootie Brown, and Imani
Imani (rapper)
Emandu Rashaan Wilcox , better known as Imani is a West Coast MC. He was one of the four founding members of the hip hop group The Pharcyde...
met as dancers in the late 1980s and dancing was their main ambition as late as 1990. Around this time, Imani
Imani (rapper)
Emandu Rashaan Wilcox , better known as Imani is a West Coast MC. He was one of the four founding members of the hip hop group The Pharcyde...
and Slimkid3
Slimkid3
SLIMKID3 also known as "Slim Kid Tre" and "Tre Hardson", was one of the four original members of Los Angeles innovative hip hop group The Pharcyde.-Two For Two:...
were in a group called "As Is" and later a group called the "Play Brothers", whilst Bootie Brown was a backup dancer for Fatlip
Fatlip
Fatlip is a Los Angeles-born hip hop musician. He started his career in the hip hop group The Pharcyde.-The Pharcyde:...
(Fatlip
Fatlip
Fatlip is a Los Angeles-born hip hop musician. He started his career in the hip hop group The Pharcyde.-The Pharcyde:...
being the last member to join the group). Bootie Brown recalls that their earlier dancing careers influenced their rapping
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
- "sometimes the way I rap is almost like the way I used to dance". The group met Reggie Andrews, a local high-school music teacher who worked with the Dazz Band and Rick James
Rick James
James Ambrose Johnson, Jr. , better known by his stage name Rick James, was an American singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. James was a popular performer in the late 1970s and 1980s, scoring four number-one hits on the U.S. R&B charts performing in the genres of funk and R&B...
, and who was a major musical influence on their debut album. The group also met producer J-Swift
J-Swift
J-Swift is an American music producer responsible for songs with groups on the Delicious Vinyl Label. He has produced the alternative rap groups The Pharcyde and The Wascals.-Biography:...
around this time, as he was Reggie Andrews's "star pupil" according to the book Check the Technique
Check the Technique
Check the Technique: Liner Notes for Hip-Hop Junkies is a book by music journalist Brian Coleman that covers the making of thirty-six classic hip hop albums, based on interviews with the artists who created them, also providing a track-by-track breakdown for each album entirely in the words of the...
.
Debut album
The Pharcyde recorded their first demo in 1991, which contained the songs "Passin' Me ByPassin' Me By
"Passin' Me By" is a song by Californian hip-hop group The Pharcyde, released in March 1993 through Delicious Vinyl Records. The song was the second single released from the group's 1992 debut Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde...
", "Ya Mama", and "Officer", and hired a manager, Paul Stewart, who had worked for Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill is an American hip hop group from South Gate, California. Cypress Hill was the first Latino hip-hop group to have platinum and multi-platinum albums, selling over 18 million albums worldwide...
, De La Soul
De La Soul
De La Soul is an American hip hop trio formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York. The band is best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres...
, and House of Pain
House of Pain
House of Pain is an American hip hop group who released three albums in the 1990s before lead rapper Everlast left to pursue his solo career again. The group's name is a reference to the H.G. Wells novel The Island of Dr...
. Mike Ross of Delicious Vinyl
Delicious Vinyl
Delicious Vinyl is an American independent record label founded by Matt Dike and Michael Ross in 1987 and based in Los Angeles. Throughout its history, the label has had distribution deals with [Island Records/[PolyGram]], Warner Music Group, EMI, Red Ant, Rhino and Universal Music Group.-Early...
heard the demo and the group was signed to the label in the summer of 1991 - they were first featured on Brand New Heavies
Brand New Heavies
The Brand New Heavies are an acid jazz and funk group formed in 1985 in Ealing, a suburb of London, England.-Biography:The Brand New Heavies began in the 1980s as an instrumental acid jazz group called Brother International....
's album Heavy Rhyme Experience, Vol. 1
Heavy Rhyme Experience, Vol. 1
Heavy Rhyme Experience, Vol. 1 was a studio album by Brand New Heavies. It included collaborations with Guru of Gang Starr, Grand Puba, Main Source and The Pharcyde, among others, but lacked any female vocals...
, on the song "Soul Flower", released by Delicious Vinyl
Delicious Vinyl
Delicious Vinyl is an American independent record label founded by Matt Dike and Michael Ross in 1987 and based in Los Angeles. Throughout its history, the label has had distribution deals with [Island Records/[PolyGram]], Warner Music Group, EMI, Red Ant, Rhino and Universal Music Group.-Early...
in 1992.
The group, along with producer J-Swift
J-Swift
J-Swift is an American music producer responsible for songs with groups on the Delicious Vinyl Label. He has produced the alternative rap groups The Pharcyde and The Wascals.-Biography:...
, recorded their first album Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde
Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde
Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde is the debut album of American hip hop group The Pharcyde, released on November 24, 1992 through Delicious Vinyl Records. The album was produced by former group member J-Swift, and features only one guest appearance, provided by little known Los Angeles rapper Bucwheed...
, which was released in September 1992.. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1996. The album was highly acclaimed, and became one of the most praised and influential alternative hip hop
Alternative hip hop
Alternative hip hop is a sub-genre of hip hop music. Allmusic defines it as follows: -Origin:...
albums of the 1990s.
Their second single "Passin' Me By
Passin' Me By
"Passin' Me By" is a song by Californian hip-hop group The Pharcyde, released in March 1993 through Delicious Vinyl Records. The song was the second single released from the group's 1992 debut Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde...
" became a minor Billboard hit, peaking at #52 on the Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. The song was later featured in the hit movie Big Daddy and was also a crossover modern rock
Modern rock
Modern rock is a rock format commonly found on commercial radio; the format consists primarily of the alternative rock genre...
hit. The song is now usually considered a golden-era staple and is the group's most well known song. The album featured a couple of guest MCs, Bucwheed (known then as Buckwheat, formerly of the alternative hip-hop group The Wascals) on the tracks "On The DL" and "I'm That Type of Nigga".
Problems between the group and producer J-Swift
J-Swift
J-Swift is an American music producer responsible for songs with groups on the Delicious Vinyl Label. He has produced the alternative rap groups The Pharcyde and The Wascals.-Biography:...
began during the recording of the debut, with infighting and "personality conflicts". J-Swift started a crack habit, from which he is still trying to recover. A documentary, 1 More Hit
1 More Hit
1 More Hit is a documentary film by Shauna Garr which took seven years to complete. Production began in 2004, it screened at SXSW in 2007, but continued shooting and editing and was not officially completed until 2011...
(2007), recorded his attempts to recover from his addiction and to regain his music career.
After the Bizarre Ride album was released, the group began touring with A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest is an American hip hop group, formed in 1985, and is composed of rapper/producer Q-Tip , rapper Phife Dawg , and DJ/producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad. A fourth member, rapper Jarobi White, left the group after their first album but rejoined in 2006...
and De La Soul
De La Soul
De La Soul is an American hip hop trio formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York. The band is best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres...
, culminating with an appearance at the Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza is an annual music festival featuring popular alternative rock, heavy metal, punk rock and hip hop bands, dance and comedy performances, and craft booths. It has also provided a platform for non-profit and political groups. The music festival hosts more than 160,000 people over a...
show in 1994.
In 1994, Pharcyde appeared on the Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization is a not-for-profit, 501 3, international organization dedicated to fighting AIDS through pop culture.Since its inception in 1989, over 400 artists, producers and directors have contributed to over 15 compilation albums, related television programs and media events to raise...
's compilation album, Stolen Moments: Red Hot + Cool. The album, meant to raise awareness and funds in support of the AIDS epidemic in relation to the African American community, was heralded as "Album of the Year" by Time Magazine.
Second album
In 1995, The Pharcyde released their second album, LabcabincaliforniaLabcabincalifornia
Labcabincalifornia is the second album by The Pharcyde, released in 1995, three years after their debut Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde. The album's production was handled by The Pharcyde themselves and Jay Dee, with additional help from Diamond D and M-Walk.The first single was "Drop"...
. The album received mixed reviews, maybe due to a different musical direction from the light-hearted playfulness of their debut. The album included another big crossover hit, "Runnin'
Runnin'
Runnin is a song performed by The Pharcyde and produced by J Dilla. It was released as the first single from The Pharcyde's second album Labcabincalifornia in 1995. The song peaked at #55 on the Billboard Hot 100, and reached #35 on the U.S. R&B chart...
", peaking at #55 on the Billboard Hot 100. This single was later featured in the movie 8 Mile
8 Mile (film)
8 Mile is a 2002 American hip-hop drama film written by Scott Silver, directed by Curtis Hanson, and starring Eminem, Mekhi Phifer, Brittany Murphy, and Kim Basinger....
, as well as the More Music from 8 Mile
8 Mile (soundtrack)
-Album:-Singles:-Certifications:...
soundtrack. Labcabincalifornia featured production from producers Jay Dee
J Dilla
James Dewitt Yancey , better known by the stage names J Dilla and Jay Dee, was an American record producer who emerged from the mid-1990s underground hip hop scene in Detroit, Michigan...
(who handled the majority of the production) and Diamond D
Diamond D
Diamond D is a hip hop producer and MC from the Bronx, New York City, and one of the founding members of the legendary D.I.T.C. crew. He started out as a DJ for Jazzy Jay back in the late 1980s and was at the same time perfecting his skills in beat making and turntablism, and together with rhyme...
. This album had worse sales, not reaching gold status. A music video for the song "Drop
Drop (song)
"Drop" is a single by alternative hip-hop group The Pharcyde, released in 1995 as the first single for the group's second album, Labcabincalifornia. The single contains a vocal sample of the Beastie Boys song "The New Style", using the titular "mmm.......
" was directed by Spike Jonze
Spike Jonze
Spike Jonze is an American director, producer and actor, whose work includes music videos, commercials, film and television...
.
Problems grew between Fatlip and the other MCs after this album, resulting in his leaving the group. In a video interview with director Spike Jonze, featured on the bonus DVD from his solo album, In the documentary Cydeways: The Best of The Pharcyde, while the group is performing in shows they still offer their support to Fatlip, telling the crowd that if they support Fatlip on his solo career then they support The Pharcyde and vice versa.
1997–2000
The group was largely missing from the hip hop scene between 1997 and 1999. The three remaining members returned in 2000 with an EP titled Chapter One: Testing The Waters.The group released a full studio album later in 2000 titled Plain Rap
Plain Rap
Plain Rap is the 2000 3rd full-length LP by Los Angeles rap group The Pharcyde.-Track listing:# "Trust"# "Network ft. Black Thought"#"L.A."# "Somethin'"# "Misery"# "Blaze"# "Rush"#"Sock Skit"# "Guestlist"# "Evolution"# "Front Line"# "World"...
. The album had a lukewarm reception both critically and commercially.
Soon after the release, member Slimkid3, now going by his birth name of Tre Hardson, left the group to pursue a solo career. In 2002, he released his first solo album titled Liberation.
In the music video for the song "Trust" (featured on Plain Rap), the rest of the group's disdain for Fatlip's departure is evident as he is portrayed as a sad faced clown, being constantly attacked in the video. Tre Hardson's animated self is shown to transform into a phoenix that flies away at the end of his verse, which can be interpreted as more of an acceptance of his departure from the remaining two members.
2001–2004: Humboldt Beginnings
With only two members remaining, Bootie Brown and Imani continued with the group name and released Humboldt BeginningsHumboldt Beginnings
Humboldt Beginnings is the fourth album by The Pharcyde, an alternative Hip Hop group. This album featured only two of the original four members , however, it brought in the new member Spaceboy Boogie X....
in 2004. The album received even less attention critically and commercially than their last effort. This album introduced Schmooche Cat and Spaceboy Boogie X as new members and Spaceboy Boogie X as producer to the group.
The album was released on the group's own independent record label, Chapter One Entertainment.
Post-Pharcyde projects
Though Humboldt BeginningsHumboldt Beginnings
Humboldt Beginnings is the fourth album by The Pharcyde, an alternative Hip Hop group. This album featured only two of the original four members , however, it brought in the new member Spaceboy Boogie X....
is to date the last Pharcyde album, and its members have since been keeping busy with various contributions and projects. A compilation of The Pharcyde was released in 2005, titled Sold My Soul: The Remix & Rarity Collection
Sold My Soul: The Remix & Rarity Collection
Sold My Soul: The Remix & Rarity Collection is a compilation album released November 8, 2005 by Los Angeles hip hop group The Pharcyde., featuring a number of remixes and rare songs....
, featuring a number of remixes and rare songs. Former member Fatlip released his solo debut in 2005, titled The Loneliest Punk
The Loneliest Punk
The Loneliest Punk is Fatlip's debut solo album. The album was recorded on Delicious Vinyl records. The name is a play on "Thelonious Monk", the famous jazz pianist....
, and Tre Hardson's second full length solo album SLIMKID3's Cafe was released on 4 April 2006.
In late 2007, Tre toured with L.A. Latin-funk-hip hop band Ozomatli
Ozomatli
Ozomatli is a seven to ten piece band playing primarily Latin, hip hop, and rock music, formed in 1995 in Los Angeles. They are known both for their vocal activist viewpoints and their wide array of musical styles - including salsa, jazz, funk, reggae, rap, and others.In a 2007 NPR interview, band...
on their Winter Tour throughout the United States.
The Pharcyde and Souls of Mischief
Souls of Mischief
-Studio albums:-Singles:-External links:* [ Allmusic Biography]* *...
have collaborated together to form a group called "Almyghty Myghty Pythons" and have since released a collaboration album titled Almyghty Myghty Pythons. Recently production from the group has died down, but it was said by Imani in an interview that it is to be an ongoing project.
Fatlip and Tre Hardson have since reunited to perform on 'The Over 30, Dirty Old Men Tour'. Fatlip and Tre Hardson were featured in the song "All I Want for Christmas (Is Somebody Else)" featuring St. Imey (formerly of The Wascals) and produced by J-Swift
J-Swift
J-Swift is an American music producer responsible for songs with groups on the Delicious Vinyl Label. He has produced the alternative rap groups The Pharcyde and The Wascals.-Biography:...
on Delicious Vinyl
Delicious Vinyl
Delicious Vinyl is an American independent record label founded by Matt Dike and Michael Ross in 1987 and based in Los Angeles. Throughout its history, the label has had distribution deals with [Island Records/[PolyGram]], Warner Music Group, EMI, Red Ant, Rhino and Universal Music Group.-Early...
records.
In 2005, Bootie Brown made a guest appearance on Gorillaz
Gorillaz
Gorillaz is an English musical project created in 1998 by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett. This project consists of Gorillaz music itself and an extensive fictional universe depicting a "virtual band" of cartoon characters...
' single "Dirty Harry
Dirty Harry (song)
"Dirty Harry" is a song from Gorillaz' second album Demon Days. It was the third single from the album, released 21 November 2005. It peaked at #6 in the UK. It was also released as a promo and onto iTunes earlier that year. An early version of "Dirty Harry" titled "I Need a Gun" was included on...
", from the album Demon Days
Demon Days
Demon Days is the second studio album by British virtual band Gorillaz, released in May 2005. The album features contributions from De La Soul, Neneh Cherry, Martina Topley-Bird, Roots Manuva, MF DOOM, Ike Turner, Bootie Brown of the Pharcyde, Shaun Ryder, Dennis Hopper, the London Community Gospel...
. The verse was a narrative of a soldier on the frontlines in Iraq. He often fills in for rapper Mos Def
Mos Def
Dante Terrell Smith is an American actor and Emcee known by the stage names Mos Def and Yasiin Bey. He started his hip hop career in a group called Urban Thermo Dynamics, after which he appeared on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul. With Talib Kweli, he formed the duo Black Star, which...
on the Gorillaz
Gorillaz
Gorillaz is an English musical project created in 1998 by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett. This project consists of Gorillaz music itself and an extensive fictional universe depicting a "virtual band" of cartoon characters...
' song Stylo
Stylo (song)
"Stylo" is the first single from British alternative group Gorillaz's third studio album Plastic Beach. The song features guest vocals from Bobby Womack and Mos Def. The single was released on 26 January 2010.-Production:...
on the group's Escape to Plastic Beach World Tour
Escape to Plastic Beach World Tour
The Escape to Plastic Beach World Tour is a concert tour by the British virtual band Gorillaz. The tour is in support of their third studio album Plastic Beach. It is notably the band's first world tour in its decade-spanning history...
& at the Glastonbury Festival
Glastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...
in 2010.
On Delicious Vinyl's official YouTube page, it is said that more music from Tre Hardson, Fatlip, J-Swift and St. Imey are expected to be released early 2008. It also calls these artists the label's 'Dream Team'.Hoden
On April 22, 2008 it was announced that The Pharcyde would be reuniting for the annual Rock the Bells Festival Series. The first performance was Saturday, July 19 in Chicago.
Remixes of The Pharcyde's "Runnin" and "Passin' Me By" appear on Delicious Vinyl's 2008 release, Rmxxology.
The Pharcyde toured Australia in February 2009 as part of the Good Vibrations Festival, and played in Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast and Perth, which was headlined by Fatboy Slim. They also headlined at the All Points West Festival in Liberty State Park, NJ on July 31, 2009.
The Pharcyde also reunited at Rhymesayers Entertainment's soundset, Memorial Day Weekend, 2009, and were the co-headliners of the festival, which was also headlined by Atmosphere and featured many other underground artists.
Uncle Imani went on theFIVE10 Radio to talk about the story behind the growth and demise of The Pharcyde.
Albums
- Bizarre Ride II the PharcydeBizarre Ride II the PharcydeBizarre Ride II the Pharcyde is the debut album of American hip hop group The Pharcyde, released on November 24, 1992 through Delicious Vinyl Records. The album was produced by former group member J-Swift, and features only one guest appearance, provided by little known Los Angeles rapper Bucwheed...
- Released: November 24, 1992
- Certification: Gold
- Billboard 200 chart position: #75
- R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #23
- Singles: "Ya Mama"/"I'm That Type of Nigga"/"Soul Flower (Remix)", "Passin' Me ByPassin' Me By"Passin' Me By" is a song by Californian hip-hop group The Pharcyde, released in March 1993 through Delicious Vinyl Records. The song was the second single released from the group's 1992 debut Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde...
", "Otha Fish", "4 Better or 4 Worse"/"Pack the Pipe"/"Return of the B-Boy"
- LabcabincaliforniaLabcabincaliforniaLabcabincalifornia is the second album by The Pharcyde, released in 1995, three years after their debut Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde. The album's production was handled by The Pharcyde themselves and Jay Dee, with additional help from Diamond D and M-Walk.The first single was "Drop"...
- Released: November 14, 1995
- Certification: N/A
- Billboard 200 chart position: #37
- R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #17
- Singles: "Runnin'Runnin'Runnin is a song performed by The Pharcyde and produced by J Dilla. It was released as the first single from The Pharcyde's second album Labcabincalifornia in 1995. The song peaked at #55 on the Billboard Hot 100, and reached #35 on the U.S. R&B chart...
", "DropDrop (song)"Drop" is a single by alternative hip-hop group The Pharcyde, released in 1995 as the first single for the group's second album, Labcabincalifornia. The single contains a vocal sample of the Beastie Boys song "The New Style", using the titular "mmm.......
", "She SaidShe Said (song)"She Said" is a song by The Pharcyde featured on the group's second album Labcabincalifornia. The song contains two verses by Slimkid3 and Fatlip, Fatlip's verse in particular is highly regarded among fans and critics of the group for its conversational style delivery and easy flowing pace. Both...
"/"Somethin' That Means Somethin'"
- Plain RapPlain RapPlain Rap is the 2000 3rd full-length LP by Los Angeles rap group The Pharcyde.-Track listing:# "Trust"# "Network ft. Black Thought"#"L.A."# "Somethin'"# "Misery"# "Blaze"# "Rush"#"Sock Skit"# "Guestlist"# "Evolution"# "Front Line"# "World"...
- Released: November 7, 2000
- Certification: N/A
- Billboard 200 chart position: #157
- R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #67
- Singles: "TrustTrust (Pharcyde song)"Trust" was the first single released from hip hop group The Pharcyde's third album Plain Rap. It peaked at #15 on Hot Rap Tracks....
"
- Humboldt BeginningsHumboldt BeginningsHumboldt Beginnings is the fourth album by The Pharcyde, an alternative Hip Hop group. This album featured only two of the original four members , however, it brought in the new member Spaceboy Boogie X....
- Released: July 13, 2004
- Certification: N/A
- Billboard 200 chart position: -
- R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: -
- Singles: "Knew U"/"The Uh-Huh"
Compilations and EPs
- Chapter One: Testing the Waters EP
- Released: March 14, 2000
- Label: Chapter One
- Cydeways: The Best of The PharcydeCydeways: The Best of The PharcydeCydeways: The Best of The Pharcyde is a greatest hits album by Los Angeles hip hop group The Pharcyde. It was released November 14, 2001. The album features songs by the four emcees; Fatlip, Slimkid3, Imani and Bootie Brown from their first two albums Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde and...
- Released: January 16, 2001
- Label: Rhino
- InstrumentalsInstrumentals (The Pharcyde album)Instrumentals was released September 13, 2005 by Delicious Vinyl Records. It contains the instrumental tracks of songs by The Pharcyde found in their debut album Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde and its follow up release Labcabincalifornia....
- Released: September 13, 2005
- Label: Delicious Vinyl
- Sold My Soul: The Remix & Rarity CollectionSold My Soul: The Remix & Rarity CollectionSold My Soul: The Remix & Rarity Collection is a compilation album released November 8, 2005 by Los Angeles hip hop group The Pharcyde., featuring a number of remixes and rare songs....
- Released: November 8, 2005
- Label: Funky Chemist
Singles
| Year | Song | U.S. Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
U.S. R&B | U.S. Rap Hot Rap Tracks Rap Songs is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. It lists the 25 most popular hip-hop/rap songs, calculated weekly by airplay on rhythmic and urban radio stations and sales in hip hop-focused or exclusive markets. From 1989 through 2001, it was based on how much the single... |
U.S. Dance | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | "Passin' Me By Passin' Me By "Passin' Me By" is a song by Californian hip-hop group The Pharcyde, released in March 1993 through Delicious Vinyl Records. The song was the second single released from the group's 1992 debut Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde... " |
52 | 28 | 1 | 6 | Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde |
| 1993 | "Otha Fish" | 35 | Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde | |||
| 1995 | "Runnin" | 55 | 35 | 5 | Labcabincalifornia | |
| 1996 | "Drop Drop (song) "Drop" is a single by alternative hip-hop group The Pharcyde, released in 1995 as the first single for the group's second album, Labcabincalifornia. The single contains a vocal sample of the Beastie Boys song "The New Style", using the titular "mmm....... " |
93 | 73 | 5 | 4 | Labcabincalifornia |
| 1996 | "She Said She Said (song) "She Said" is a song by The Pharcyde featured on the group's second album Labcabincalifornia. The song contains two verses by Slimkid3 and Fatlip, Fatlip's verse in particular is highly regarded among fans and critics of the group for its conversational style delivery and easy flowing pace. Both... " |
30 | 46 | Labcabincalifornia | ||
| 2000 | "Trust Trust (Pharcyde song) "Trust" was the first single released from hip hop group The Pharcyde's third album Plain Rap. It peaked at #15 on Hot Rap Tracks.... " |
15 | Plain Rap |
Further reading
- Coleman, Brian (2007). Check the TechniqueCheck the TechniqueCheck the Technique: Liner Notes for Hip-Hop Junkies is a book by music journalist Brian Coleman that covers the making of thirty-six classic hip hop albums, based on interviews with the artists who created them, also providing a track-by-track breakdown for each album entirely in the words of the...
: Liner Notes for Hip-Hop Junkies. Random House, ISBN 0812977750. - Edwards, Paul (2009). How to RapHow to RapHow to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC is a book on hip-hop music and rapping by Paul Edwards. It is compiled from interviews with 104 notable rappers who provide insights into how they write and perform their lyrics.- Publication :...
: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC. Chicago Review Press, ISBN 1556528167.