History
The Pharcyde: A Legacy in Alternative Hip-Hop
The Pharcyde, pronounced "Far Side," emerged from South Central Los Angeles in 1989, quickly establishing themselves as pioneers of the alternative hip-hop scene. The group's foundational lineup featured Imani (Emandu Wilcox), Slimkid3 (Trevant Hardson), Bootie Brown (Romye Robinson), and Fatlip (Derrick Stewart). Their early DJ was Mark Luv, later succeeded by the influential producers J-Swift and J Dilla.
Groundbreaking Debut and Enduring Classics
The Pharcyde gained widespread recognition for their seminal debut album, Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde, and its iconic singles, including "Drop," "Passin' Me By," and "Runnin'." These tracks showcased the group's unique blend of introspective lyrics, jazz-infused beats, and often humorous storytelling, setting them apart in the hip-hop landscape.
From Dancers to Hip-Hop Innovators
The members' roots in dance significantly shaped their artistic approach. Slimkid3, Bootie Brown, and Imani initially met as dancers in the late 1980s, with dancing being their primary focus until around 1990. Imani and Slimkid3 were part of groups like "As Is" and "Play Brothers," while Bootie Brown served as a backup dancer for Fatlip, the last member to join The Pharcyde. Bootie Brown has noted how their background in dance influenced their rapping style, describing it as "almost like the way I used to dance."
A pivotal influence on their debut album was Reggie Andrews, a local high school music teacher with experience working with artists like the Dazz Band and Rick James. The group also connected with producer J-Swift, described as Andrews's "star pupil," during this formative period.
Continued Creativity and Legacy Tours
While Humboldt Beginnings is the last studio album released under The Pharcyde name, the members have remained active in the music industry through various solo and collaborative projects. A compilation, Sold My Soul: The Remix & Rarity Collection, was released in 2005, featuring remixes and rare tracks. Fatlip released his solo debut, The Loneliest Punk, in 2005, and Tre Hardson (Slimkid3) followed with his second solo album, SLIMKID3's Cafe, in 2006.
The year 2012 marked the 20th anniversary of Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde. To celebrate, Fatlip and SlimKid3 reunited with producers J-Swift and L.A. Jay, along with Delicious Vinyl, for a special performance of the album in its entirety at The Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles. This tribute show evolved into the "Bizarre Ride Live" tour. In December 2012, The Pharcyde released the Amerigo Gazaway-produced single "Still Got Love (Bizarre Tribe Megamix)," which received considerable acclaim. The 20th anniversary of their second album, Labcabincalifornia, in 2015, led to a similar tour across Europe and Japan, with the group continuing to tour Europe through 2017.
