Within hip-hop culture there are several different genres. From the gangsta rap founders, N.W.A., to the poppy sounds of the Fresh Prince, most hip-hop acts can be labeled a certain type. Shattering all of these stereotypes is the Los Angeles-based Pharcyde. Fat Lip, Imani, Slim Kid and Booty Brown brought their unique flavor and tore down previous conceptions about West Coast artists.
Rhino records is refreshing the memory of music heads everywhere about what the Pharcyde. The label that is famous for putting out cheesy mix tapes with all the hits you never want to hear again has put together a collection of the Pharcyde’s best, Cydeways: The Best of the Pharcyde. The album takes the best tracks from the group’s two releases: the Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde (93) and LabcabinCalifornia (95).
On their albums the Pharcyde covered all types of activities. They talk of their high times on “Let’s Pack the Pipe” and taking one’s troubles head on with “Runnin’.”
Their landmark hit is arguably “Passing Me By.” This track deals with high school crushes, missing out on that one girl who won’t get out of your head. “Now there she’s goes again/ the dopest Ethiopian and now the world around me keeps moving in slow motion whenever she happens to walk by/ why does the apple of my eye overlook and disregard my feelings no matter how much I try.” Slim Kid continues his tale of woe by writing a letter to his heart’s desire. “And it went my dear my dear my dear/ you do not know me but I know you very well and let me tell you about the feelings I have for you/ when I try or make some sort of attempt/ I simp/ damn I wish I wasn’t such a wimp.”
The beat is what strikes the ear. The funky beat is a mix of horns and an organ that had heads bobbing back in the day and still remains a classic hip-hop track.
The Pharcyde hit big again with “Runnin’.” On this track the `Cyde delves into the stress of everyday life and how to deal with one’s problems. Fat Lips starts the track with vivid description of his childhood. Stepping away from serious issues, the Pharcyde also brings out their humorous side as they crack one long yo mama joke on “Ya Mamma.”
Cydeways is must have for anyone who has gotten into hip-hop since the Pharcyde took a short hiatus. Their last release, LabcabinCalifornia, was dropped in 1995. Since then Fat Lip has left the group, and they have continued recording for the new album. Fat Lip had to deal with a drug problem and the group thought it best for him to handle that on his own. Like they said on “Runnin,” “Can’t depend on friends to help you in a squeeze/ please they got problems of they own.”
