Biography
Dilated Peoples is an American hip hop trio formed in 1992 in Los Angeles, California, consisting of rapper and producer Evidence, rapper Rakaa (also known as Rakaa Iriscience), and DJ Babu from the Beat Junkies crew. The group developed in the underground hip hop scene, releasing early singles like 'Third Degree' (1997) on ABB Records and 'Work the Angles' (1998), following an unreleased 1995 album titled Imagery, Battle Hymns & Political Poetry that circulated via bootlegs. Their style draws from West Coast underground hip hop with influences from East Coast boom-bap production, characterized by precise lyricism, energetic turntablism, and collaborations with like-minded artists, earning critical acclaim for albums like The Platform (2000) after signing with Capitol Records.
Their career peaked with mainstream singles such as 'Worst Comes to Worst' (2001, produced by The Alchemist) from Expansion Team, which charted on Billboard, and 'This Way' (2004, featuring Kanye West) from Neighborhood Watch, reaching UK Top 40 and appearing in video games like Need for Speed: Underground. Subsequent releases included 20/20 (2006) and Directors of Photography (2014), blending refined production from Evidence and guests like Oh No and 9th Wonder with their signature philosophical rhymes and scratching. Despite limited U.S. commercial success, they maintained underground reverence and affiliations with crews like Likwit Crew.
Dilated Peoples' legacy lies in bridging West Coast and East Coast sounds, launching careers of affiliates like Defari, and sustaining influence through video game soundtracks and UK popularity, embodying pure hip hop integrity without g-funk or gangsta tropes.
Fun Facts
- They recorded a full album Imagery, Battle Hymns & Political Poetry in 1995 that was shelved but became a sought-after bootleg among fans.
- Their track 'Worst Comes to Worst' sampled Mobb Deep's 'Survival of the Fittest' vocally and William Bell's 'I Forgot to Be Your Lover' musically.
- 'This Way' featuring Kanye West was their only major mainstream hit, also featured in Need for Speed: Underground and peaking at #35 on the UK Singles Chart.
- DJ Babu rallied the Beat Junkies crew in parallel to Dilated Peoples, making them figureheads of Californian underground turntablism.
Members
- Babu
- Evidence
- Rakaa Iriscience
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Beat Junkies - DJ crew affiliation providing foundational DJ skills and underground network for DJ Babu (early development and singles like 'Third Degree') [1992 onward]
Key Collaborators
- Tha Alkaholiks - Likwit Crew affiliates and frequent guest features ('Right On' on The Platform, 'Heavy Rotation' on Expansion Team) [2000-2001]
- Defari - West Coast emcee, frequent collaborator whose career they helped launch ('Third Degree' single, 'Major League' guest appearance) [1997-1998]
- The Alchemist - Key producer for major singles ('Worst Comes to Worst' on Expansion Team, 'Back Again' on 20/20) [2001-2006]
- Kanye West - Producer and feature on breakthrough single ('This Way' on Neighborhood Watch)
- Guru - Guest rapper on hit single ('Worst Comes to Worst' on Expansion Team)
Artists Influenced
- Defari - Career launch through collaborations and features (early singles and guest spots) [late 1990s]
- Amad Jamal - Helped launch career as Urban Umpires member through collaborations (various Dilated Peoples projects) [late 1990s-2000s]
External Links
Tags: #alternative-hip-hop, #conscious-hip-hop, #hip-hop
References
Heard on WWOZ
Dilated Peoples has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.