Representative Albums: "The Platform," "Expansion Team," "The Release Party"
Representative Songs: "This Way," "Work the Angles," "Guaranteed"
Biography
With just a few (mostly underground) releases, Dilated Peoples energized the rap underground in similar fashion to fellow West Coast crew Jurassic 5. The duo of Evidence and Rakaa came together in the mid-'90s, when they met at many of the same hip-hop shows; after deciding to start making tracks together, they formed Dilated Peoples. Once they added to the fold an excellent turntablist, DJ Babu of the Beat Junkies, Dilated Peoples recorded the singles "Third Degree" and "Work the Angles" for ABB Records. The latter became an underground hit via hip-hop radio and club play, prompting Dilated Peoples' signing to Capitol. The Platform followed in May 2000. The group's follow-up for Capitol, The Expansion Team, was released in late 2001 to positive reviews as well as a Top 40 placing, and the group hit the road the following March, touring with the film Scratch, a documentary about hip-hop DJs and turntablists. Neighborhood Watch followed in 2004. The loosely structured 20/20 was released in 2006 and featured guest appearances from Talib Kweli and reggae great Capleton. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
Dilated Peoples is an underground hip hop group that resides in California. The group achieved notability in the underground hip hop community[citation needed], although it has had little mainstream success in the US, with the exception of the song "This Way," a 2004 collaboration with Kanye West. It reached the Top 40 of the UK Singles Chart with two tracks, "This Way" and "Worst Comes to Worst." Their members include DJ Babu (producer/DJ), Evidence (emcee-producer) and Rakaa Iriscience (emcee).
Its members, DJ Babu from the DJ crew Beat Junkies; Evidence; and Rakaa joined together in 1992 and released "Third Degree" (1997) and "Work the Angles"(1998) on ABB Records, developing a solid fan base in the underground hip hop community. They had previously recorded an album titled "Imagery, Battle Hymns & Political Poetry" that was never released (1995), although many fans still have it on bootlegged tapes. The group eventually signed with Capitol Records and released The Platform (2000) to more critical acclaim. Its second set, Expansion Team, was released in 2001 led by The Alchemist-produced "Worst Comes to Worst," which utilized a vocal sample from Mobb Deep's "Survival of the Fittest" and a musical sample from William Bell's "I Forgot to be Your Lover." The group's third album, Neighborhood Watch, was released in 2004 and debuted at #55 on USA's Billboard 200 Albums Chart. In addition to the Kanye West-produced single "This Way," it featured the single "Who's Who?" which was also included as a track on the Need for Speed: Underground and SSX 3 soundtracks, and peaked at #35 on the UK Singles Chart. The fourth album, 20/20, was released in 2006; the debut single, "Back Again", was featured on the Fight Night Round 3 soundtrack. This is the third EA Games Soundtrack on which the group has been featured. "Back Again" is also featured on Sony's MLB 06: The Show. 20/20 was the group's "farewell" album on Capitol Records, ending a four album contract.
Collaborations
Dilated Peoples are affiliated with fellow West Coast hip hop group tha Alkaholiks. The Liks appear on The Platform on the track "Right On" and Expansion Team on "Heavy Rotation." The group also collaborated frequently with west coast emcees Defari and Amad Jamal (an Urban Umpires member) and helped to launch their careers. Defari made one appearance on each Dilated Peoples' album: "Ear Drums Pop (Remix)" on The Platform; "Defari Interlude" on Expansion Team; "Closed Session" on Neighborhood Watch; and "Olde English" on 20/20. Dilated Peoples also made multiple appearances on Defari's album Odds & Evens. Another Dilated associate is their long-time producer, the Alchemist, who produced five songs on The Platform, three songs on Expansion Team, four songs on Neighborhood Watch, and two songs on 20/20. Dilated Peoples was featured on a song on the Alchemists' 1st Infantry. Rakaa also made a guest appearance on the song "Trance Fat" on Looptroop's new album, Good Things.
It is also reported they are supporters of the 9/11 Truth Movement, citing this in a remix of "Mr. Slow Flow" proclaiming "No plane ever hit Trade Center 7."
