The Pharcyde - Runnin' (HD)
The Pharcyde recorded their first demo in 1991, containing the songs "Passin' Me By", "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 foursome, with producer J-Swift, recorded their first album Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde, released in September 1992,and was eventually 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 2007 documentary, 1 More Hit, was made about 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.
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. 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. Album sales this time around did not fare as well, the group was not able to reach Gold status again. 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, Fatlip stated that he had started sniffing cocaine, the group grew tired of his actions and kicked him out. 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 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 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.
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.
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.
Album "Labcabincalifornia" (1995)
