Dilated Peoples

Dilated Peoples is a hip hop group from 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. 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 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DJ_Babu from the DJ crew Beat Junkies; Evidence http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evidence_(artist); 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. The second album, "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". Expansion Team debuted at #8 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and #36 on The Billboard 200. The group's third album, "Neighborhood Watch", was released in 2004 and debuted at #55 on USA's Billboard 200 Albums Chart, selling 143,000 copies in the United States 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. They also work with the underground Hip-Hop group Global Warning who originated in Anaheim.
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 album, "Good Things", and on the song "Zet 't Blauw" of Dutch rapper Jerome XL. On his in 2010 released album "De laatste dag".
In an emotional Interview on Conspiracy Worldwide Radio, Evidence discussed the status of Dilated Peoples and their relationship as a group. He also went on to enthuse about their new album "Directors Of Photography".

Official Website: http://www.dilatedpeoples.com/

MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/dilatedpeoples