The Pharcyde

About the band:

The Pharcyde is an alternative hip hop group from the West coast of the United States. The group was formed in South Central Los Angeles where the group's members grew up. The original four members of the group are Imani (Emandu Wilcox), Slimkid3 (Tre Hardson), Bootie Brown (Romye Robinson) and Fatlip (Derrick Stewart). DJ Mark Luv was the group's first DJ, followed by innovative Los Angeles producer J-Swift and then the late J Dilla (formerly known as Jay Dee). 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.

The Pharcyde first appeared as a feature on a Brand New Heavies album (funk/soul) with a song called Soulflower. A remix of this song would be included on The Pharcyde's first album.

After a live performance of their song "Ya Mama" for Delicious Vinyl record executives, The Pharcyde signed a record deal with the label. "Ya Mama" was released as their first single in 1991.

The foursome, with producer J-Swift, recorded their first album Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde, released in November 1992. The album was highly acclaimed, and became one of the most praised and influential alternative hip hop albums of the 1990s. Sales were moderate-to-good and the album was certified Platinum by the RIAA in 1996. Their second single "Passin' Me By"' became a minor Billboard hit, peaking at #52 on the Hot 100. The song is now usually considered a golden-era staple and is the group's most well known song. 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 1995, The Pharcyde released their second album, Labcabincalifornia. The album received mixed reviews, 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.

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. The album had a luke-warm reception, 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".

With only two members remaining, Bootie Brown and Imani continued with the group name and released an album in 2004, Humboldt Beginnings. 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.

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.

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.

Band's website

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