The Pharcyde | ||
| Allmusic Biography : An influential alternative rap quartet from South Central Los Angeles, the Pharcyde was formed by MCs/producers Tre "Slimkid" Hardson, Derrick "Fatlip" Stewart, Imani Wilcox, and Romye "Booty Brown" Robinson. Hardson, Wilcox, and Robinson were all dancers and choreographers who met on the L.A. underground club circuit in the late 80s, worked together for a while, and served a stint as dancers on In Living Color. Stewart, meanwhile, performed at local clubs and eventually hooked up with the others in 1990. Under the tutelage of Reggie Andrews, a local high-school music teacher, the group learned about the music industry and the process of recording an album. They landed a deal with Delicious Vinyl in 1991, and a year later released their eccentric debut album, Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde, which went gold. After support slots for De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest as well as a successful spot on Lollapaloozas second stage in 1994, the group released its second album, Labcabincalifornia, which was calmer than their first but no less warped. After a five-year break which saw little action except for the debut of Stewart as a solo rapper (his single "Whats Up Fatlip" became an underground hit), the Pharcyde returned in late 2000 with their third album, Plain Rap. The group fractured even more during the subsequent three years, leaving only two members -- Imani Wilcox and Bootie Brown -- to man 2004s Humboldt Beginnings. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 10 Title: Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde Released: 1992-11-24 Tracks: 16 Duration: 57:39 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 4 Better or 4 Worse (interlude) (00:41) 2 Oh Shit (04:33) 3 It’s Jigaboo Time (skit) (01:30) 4 4 Better or 4 Worse (05:07) 5 I’m That Type of Nigga (05:20) 6 If I Were President (skit) (01:05) 7 Soul Flower (remix) (04:27) 8 On the DL (04:31) 9 Pack the Pipe (interlude) (00:25) 10 Officer (04:04) 11 Ya Mama (04:24) 12 Passing Me By (05:07) 13 Otha Fish (05:25) 14 Quinton’s on the Way (skit) (02:13) 15 Pack the Pipe (05:07) 16 Return of the B-Boy (03:31) |
| Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde : Allmusic album Review : The cover shot of a Fat Albert-ized Pharcyde roller coastering their way into a funhouse makes perfect sense, as the L.A.-based quartet introduced listeners to an uproarious vision of earthy hip-hop informed by P-Funk silliness and an everybody-on-the-mike street-corner atmosphere that highlights the incredible rapping skills of each member. With multiple voices freestyling over hilarious story-songs like "Oh Shit!," "Soul Flower," the dozens contest "Ya Mama," and even a half-serious driving-while-black critique named "Officer," Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde proved Daisy Age philosophy akin to De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest wasnt purely an East Coast phenomenon. Skits and interludes with live backing (usually just drums and piano) only enhance the freeform nature of the proceedings, and the group even succeeds when not reliant on humor, as proved by the excellent heartbreak tale "Passin Me By." The production, by J-Sw!ft and the group, is easily some of the tightest and most inventive of any hip-hop record of the era. Though Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde could have used a few more musical hooks to draw in listeners before they begin to appreciate the amazing rapping and gifted productions, the lack of compromise reveals far greater rewards down the line. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 10 Title: Labcabincalifornia Released: 1995-11-14 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:03:40 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Bull**** (04:12) 2 Pharcyde (04:20) 3 Groupie Therapy (05:12) 4 Runnin (04:56) 5 She Said (05:15) 6 Splattitorium (02:58) 7 Somethin That Means Somethin (03:31) 8 All Live (00:51) 9 Drop (05:35) 10 Hey You (03:54) 11 Y? (05:04) 12 Its All Good (00:41) 13 Moment In Time (02:44) 14 The Hustle (05:34) 15 Devil Music (04:12) 16 The E.N.D. (04:41) |
| Labcabincalifornia : Allmusic album Review : Labcabincalifornia is a more mature record than the Pharcydes debut. Thats not necessarily a good thing, as the Pharcydes playful attitude and comic raps were much of what made them so irresistible. True, age has enlightened them on "Moment in Time" and the single "Runnin," the former a salute to the past and the latter a description of their flight from South Centrals Pharcyde Manor to the Hollywood Hills. But the music is much of the problem here. Though the raps are solid, tempos never vary from the usual midtempo jam. The keyboard-driven melodies are good -- some better than others -- but a little variety is needed. Three of the last four tracks ("The Hustle," "Devil Music," "The E.N.D.") do evoke the spirit of the debut, but by that time its too late -- the sophomore jinx has hit. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 10 Title: Chapter One: Testing the Waters Released: 2000-03-14 Tracks: 6 Duration: 21:37 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Pain (04:11) 2 Reinvent (03:53) 3 Agenda (04:56) 4 Feel Freaky (03:56) 5 Interlude (00:22) 6 All I Wanna Do (04:19) |
 | Album: 4 of 10 Title: Plain Rap Released: 2000-10-30 Tracks: 12 Duration: 49:46 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Trust (04:43) 2 Network (05:08) 3 L.A. (03:24) 4 Somethin (04:52) 5 Misery (05:09) 6 Blaze (03:31) 7 Rush (03:12) 8 Sock Skit (01:18) 9 Guestlist (03:51) 10 Evolution (04:00) 11 Frontline (04:48) 12 World (05:44) |
| Plain Rap : Allmusic album Review : In late 2000, the Pharcyde resurfaced for their first major release since 1995. Having lost the lazy-flowed Fat Lip to a solo career, the original trio of Slim Kid Tre, Imani, and Booty Brown were left to carry the torch. The L.A. underground artists put forth a classic album with their debut Bizarre Ride... in 1992 and followed up with the superbly crafted but somewhat maligned LabCabincalifornia in 1995. While the various pitfalls of the industry claimed the quartets unity, the core three came back with a bittersweet vengeance, lamenting past failures and frustrations but looking ahead positively as only the Pharcyde can. The album offers 11 one-word-titled tracks, sort of a rap version of Miles Davis Aura, each track creating a specifically colorful mood. "Trust" testifies to the crews resilient style, unwavering in theme and quality: "When it seems theres no one trust/You can always count on Pharcyde to bust." "Somethin" and "Misery" feature the subtle stylings of Slim Kid Tre and both Imani and Booty Brown employ strong spoken word-influenced poetics throughout. While the heft of the Pharcyde sound is diminished slightly by their broken circle, this is an emotionally tangible album that combines delicate content with tight production. The Pharcyde attempts to bring a ray of Cali sunshine to dark times. | ||
 | Album: 5 of 10 Title: Cydeways: The Best of The Pharcyde Released: 2001-01-16 Tracks: 15 Duration: 59:01 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 It’s Jiggaboo Time (01:28) 2 Ya Mama (04:20) 3 Oh Shit (04:29) 4 Quinton’s on the Way (02:10) 5 Pack the Pipe (05:07) 6 Return of the B-Boy (03:31) 7 4 Better or 4 Worse (00:37) 8 Passing Me By (05:01) 9 Otha Fish (05:25) 10 Drop (05:38) 11 Runnin’ (04:56) 12 Somethin’ That Means Somethin’ (03:30) 13 Devil Music (04:12) 14 She Said (Jay Dee remix) (04:25) 15 Panty Raid (04:04) |
| Cydeways: The Best of The Pharcyde : Allmusic album Review : If rap music has taught people anything, its that even the annoying shimmer of a Mercedes Benz and a pool of high-price hookers cant overshadow true talent. Surprisingly enough, it became clear that the Pharcyde is one of hip-hops few modern ensembles that stares down modern-day rap and challenges it to a fight. Crafty and cool, Cydeways isnt necessarily genius. Its off-beat and stylistic rhythms and rhymes are an acquired taste at best. But the album still carries innovation that hasnt been touched in years: rap music thriving on a genuine mix of fact, fiction, humor, and memory. "Runnin," "Ya Mama," and "Oh Shit" are creative excerpts from a diary that these boys have carefully crafted. It becomes a kind of coming-of-age story, from making jokes about each others mother to getting their ass kicked in school. Its undeniable soul is what makes the Pharcyde an underappreciated addition to hip-hops overplayed and overrated existence in the coming century. So if you still believe in hip-hop, but have become intimidated by its current barrage of smut, simplicity and stupidity, fear not friends -- the Pharcydes got your back. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 10 Title: Humboldt Beginnings Released: 2004-07-13 Tracks: 23 Duration: 1:04:21 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Homegrown (02:18) 2 The Uh-Huh (02:55) 3 Storm (03:38) 4 Untitled 4 (00:11) 5 Knew U (03:11) 6 Untitled 6 (00:20) 7 The Art Of Sharing (02:48) 8 Bongloads II (03:52) 9 Untitled 9 (00:11) 10 Rules & Regulations (04:38) 11 Untitled 11 (00:15) 12 Illusions (03:46) 13 Mixedgreens (04:05) 14 Right B4 (03:49) 15 Clouds (01:55) 16 Untitled 16 (00:41) 17 The Bomb (03:36) 18 The Climb/Paranoia (04:07) 19 Untitled 19 (00:41) 20 Choices (04:14) 21 Untitled 21 (00:54) 22 Dedication (05:33) 23 Outro: Praise / Fastlife (06:33) |
| Humboldt Beginnings : Allmusic album Review : Whittled down to only two original members, Imani Wilcox and Bootie Brown (aka Romye Robinson), and not the two members that many fans would choose to carry the flame, the Pharcyde embraced the immensely soothing aspects of weed for fourth album Humboldt Beginnings. Apparently the duo forgot that narcotics dont exactly focus an artists efforts. This 22-track record, leavened with the contributions of new members Spaceboyboogie X and "Greg" Smooche, not only councils the smoking of marijuana, but practically demands partaking of it in order to enjoy most of its tracks. Beginning with a bongo-led jam called "Homegrown," it benefits from a raft of workmanlike productions, but in the Pharcydes attempt to crawl back into the hip-hop limelight, they scatter their efforts working in so many different styles that theres virtually nothing left to their character. The frequent weed songs are interspersed with club thumpers ("The Uh-Huh"), smooth 80s-influenced lovers tracks ("Knew U," "Right B4"), and one of the most hilariously overblown gangsta tracks (perhaps humorous?) ever performed ("Bongloads II"). Even De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest had their own late-career debacles (Stakes Is High, Beats, Rhymes and Life), but those at least featured original lineups. | ||
 | Album: 7 of 10 Title: Instrumentals Released: 2005 Tracks: 17 Duration: 09:24 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Oh Shit (?) 2 4 Better or 4 Worse (?) 3 Im That Type of Nigga (?) 4 On the DL (?) 5 Officer (?) 6 Ya Mama (?) 7 Passin Me By (05:01) 8 Otha Fish (?) 9 Return of the B-Boy (?) 10 Bullshit (?) 11 Pharcyde (?) 12 Groupie Therapy (?) 13 Runnin (?) 14 Somethin That Means Somethin (?) 15 Drop (?) 16 Devil Music (?) 17 The E.N.D. (04:23) |
| Instrumentals : Allmusic album Review : Instrumental mixes of rap tracks, once of interest to DJs and few others, have become increasingly popular throughout the years, indicated in part by this release. This CD combines the previously vinyl-only instrumental versions of the Pharcydes Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde and Labcabincalifornia (though three cuts from the latter are sacrificed for the sake of space). Unsurprisingly, these productions -- J-Swift handled the bulk of the first album, while a very young Jay Dee did the honors on most of the follow-up -- have held up tremendously well and dont need any vocals to make an impact. Also of note is "Groupie Therapy," a prime Diamond D production. | ||
 | Album: 8 of 10 Title: Sold My Soul: The Remix and Rarity Collection Released: 2005-11-08 Tracks: 24 Duration: 1:55:31 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Soul Flower (Brand New Heavies version) (03:42) 2 Ya Mama (Matt Dike remix) (04:15) 3 Just Dont Matter (05:58) 4 Otha Fish (L.A. Jay remix) (05:37) 5 She Said (Mike Caren remix) (04:14) 6 Live @ Dodger Stadium (03:53) 7 Drop (The Beatminerz remix) (04:21) 8 Pandemonium (04:21) 9 Soul Flower (Dogs B*ll*cks) (05:01) 10 Y? (Be Like That) (Fly as Pie remix) (04:55) 11 Passin Me By (Fly as Pie remix) (04:54) 12 Otha Fish (The Heavy Head O.G. remix) (04:51) 1 Ya Mama (remix) (04:03) 2 She Said (Jay Dee remix) (04:56) 3 Soul Flower (Wrong Tree) (04:56) 4 Emerald Butterfly (04:46) 5 Otha Fish (The Angel mix) (05:30) 6 Runnin’ (Rae & Christian remix) (06:25) 7 Passin Me By (Brixton Flavour) (04:39) 8 Porg (OG version) (06:01) 9 She Said (Fuzz Face & tWANK boy remix) (04:34) 10 Soul Flower (2 tha 3 mix) (04:16) 11 Ya Mama (Kenny Dope remix) (03:51) 12 My Soul (05:32) |
 | Album: 9 of 10 Title: Philippians & DJ Nu-Mark RMXXS Released: 2008 Tracks: 6 Duration: 27:38 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Runnin (Philippians remix) (05:31) 2 Runnin (Philippians remix instrumental) (05:31) 3 Runnin (a cappella) (04:45) 4 4 Better or 4 Worse (DJ Nu-Mark remix) (04:00) 5 4 Better or 4 Worse (DJ Nu-Mark remix instrumental) (04:00) 6 4 Better or 4 Worse (a cappella) (03:51) |
 | Album: 10 of 10 Title: Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde: The Singles Collection Released: 2012-04-21 Tracks: 24 Duration: 1:52:10 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Ya Mama (single version) (04:19) 2 Ya Mama (instrumental) (03:47) 3 Ya Mama (a cappella) (03:48) 4 Ya Mama (Matt Dike remix) (04:13) 5 Ya Mama (U.K. Edition) (J-Swift remix) (04:01) 6 Ya Mama (U.K. Edition) (J-Swift remix) (instrumental) (04:00) 7 Soul Flower (remix) (single version) (04:25) 8 Soul Flower (remix) (instrumental) (04:25) 9 Soul Flower (remix) (a cappella) (04:18) 10 Soul Flower (Wrong Tree remix) (04:55) 11 Passin’ Me By (single version) (05:04) 12 Passin’ Me By (instrumental) (05:02) 13 Passin’ Me By (a cappella) (04:39) 14 Passin’ Me By (Brixton Flavour remix) (04:39) 1 Passin’ Me By (Summa Madness Edition) (Fly as Pie mix) (04:52) 2 Passin’ Me By (Summa Madness Edition) (Fly as Pie mix) (instrumental) (04:50) 3 Otha Fish (single version) (05:22) 4 Otha Fish (instrumental) (06:19) 5 Otha Fish (a cappella) (05:16) 6 Otha Fish (The Heavy-Head O.G. mix) (04:56) 7 4 Better or 4 Worse (single version) (05:06) 8 4 Better or 4 Worse (instrumental) (04:16) 9 4 Better or 4 Worse (a cappella) (05:16) 10 I’m That Type of Nigga (Straight Up Faded mix) (04:22) |