DILATED PEOPLES - MAY/JUNE 2009

DILATED PEOPLES

With just a few (mostly underground) releases, Dilated Peoples energized the rap underground in similar fashion to fellow West Coast crew Jurassic 5. The duo of Evidence and Rakaa came together in the mid-’90s, when they met at many of the same hip-hop shows; after deciding to start making tracks together, they formed Dilated Peoples. Once they added to the fold an excellent turntablist, DJ Babu of the Beat Junkies, Dilated Peoples recorded the singles “Third Degree” and “Work the Angles” for ABB Records. The latter became an underground hit via hip-hop radio and club play, prompting Dilated Peoples’ signing to Capitol. The Platform followed in May 2000. The group’s follow-up for Capitol, The Expansion Team, was released in late 2001 to positive reviews as well as a Top 40 placing, and the group hit the road the following March, touring with the film Scratch, a documentary about hip-hop DJs and turntablists. Neighborhood Watch followed in 2004. The loosely structured 20/20 was released in 2006 and featured guest appearances from Talib Kweli and reggae great Capleton.