The Pharcyde

The Pharcyde is one of the most popular and influential groups in the world of alternative hip-hop. The group was formed in 1989 in South Central Los Angeles, United States. Its founding members were Imani (Emandu Wilcox), Slimkid3 (Trevant Hardson), Fatlip (Derrick Stewart), and Bootie Brown (Romye Robinson). Over the course of their career, they collaborated with various disc jockeys, starting with DJ Mark Luv, then J-Swift, and J Dilla. Pharcyde first formed when Slimkid3, Bootie Brown, Fatlipm, and Imani met in the late 1980s, all of them having a background as dancers. The group started performing together and recording their first material, with their first demo making the rounds in 1991. The demo made it to the hands of Mike Ross, co-founder of independent record label Delicious Vinyl, who signed the group. Soon they released their first full-length album, Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde, in 1992. The album would go on to be certified gold. The Pharcyde started appearing on the Billboard charts, garnering acclaim with singles such as “Passin’ Me By.” In 1995, The Pharcyde released their sophomore album Labcabincalifornia, which earned the group increased popularity and hits such as “Runnin’” (which peaked at Number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100). Fatlip left the group shortly after this. The Pharcyde released their third album Plain Rap in 2000. Slimkid3 left the group shortly after its release, with Bootie Brown and Imani continuing to perform under the moniker. Humboldt Beginnings was released in 2004, introducing new members Schmooche Cat and Spaceboy Boogie X. Since then, the group has continued to perform on various occasions, sometimes with former members popping up in special appearances. In 2022, the 4 original members of The Pharcyde appeared on two tracks on Fatlip’s album Sccit & Siavash The Grouch Present… Torpor.