The Pharcyde

    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. Around this time, Imani and Slimkid3 were in a group called "As Is" and later a group called the "Play Brothers",  whilst Bootie Brown was a backup dancer for Fatlip (Fatlip being the last member to join the group) .

   The Pharcyde recorded their first demo in 1991 . Demo contained the songs “Ya Mama”, “Officer” and  “Passin’ Me By”. They hired a manager, Paul Stewart, who had worked for Cypress Hill, De La Soul, and House of Pain. 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, ( Released September 1992 ), Produced by J-Swift. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1996. Their second single "Passin' Me By" became a minor Billboard hit, peaking at #52 on the Hot 100. The song is now usually considered a golden-era staple and is the group's most well known song.

    Problems between the group and producer J-Swift began during the recording of the debut, with infighting and "personality conflicts". 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 1995, the group released its second album, Labcabincalifornia, which was calmer than their first but no less warped. Hit, "Runnin'", peaking at #55 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

    The group was largely missing from the hip hop scene between 1997 and 1999. After a five-year break which saw little action except for the debut of Stewart as a solo rapper (his single "What's Up Fatlip" became an underground hit), the Pharcyde returned in late 2000 with their third album, Plain Rap. Soon after the release, member Slimkid3 left the group to pursue a solo career.

    With only two members remaining, Bootie Brown and Imani continued with the group name and released Humboldt Beginnings in 2004. The album received even less attention critically and commercially than their last effort. This album introduced Schmooche Cat and Spaceboy Boogie X as new members and Spaceboy Boogie X as producer to the group. The album was released on the group's own independent record label, Chapter One Entertainment.