dilated peoples

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2018 (Battle 6): Black Milk vs. Evidence

We have our opinions on the best releases of 2018, but rather than simply tell you our pick for #1, we thought it would be more interesting to hear what you, the readers, believe is the Best Rap Album of 2018. With that in mind, we decided to make our... Read more

December 12, 2018 Best Rap Album 2018

Evidence’s New Video Is An Introspective Look Into One Of The Year’s Best Albums

Evidence's Weather Or Not was an early standout album this year, and it set a great standard. The Rhymesayers Entertainment release, Ev's third solo affair, made Ambrosia For Heads' "Best 15 Albums Of 2018." Nearly a year old, the Dilated Peoples and Stepbrothers co-founder continues to deliver visuals to his... Read more

December 10, 2018 Video

Evidence Directs Atmosphere’s Latest Video. It’s A Different Kind Of House Party

During the last decade, Slug, Ant, and the Rhymesayers family welcomed Evidence, Dilated Peoples, and Stepbrothers to the Minneapolis, Minnesota-based label. In those two groups and alone, Ev has fit in lovely. The MC/producer from Venice, California has made some of the best music of his career ever since. That... Read more

October 1, 2018 Video

Finding The GOAT Group: De La Soul vs. Dilated Peoples. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’ annual competition series features Hip-Hop’s greatest collectives vying for the #1 spot. Sixty-two groups have been pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot will be reserved for a wild-card entry (which has been determined), including the possibility... Read more

July 16, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

The 14 Best Hip-Hop Releases So Far In 2018 (Audio & Video)

Approaching 2018’s midpoint, the year has been absolutely incredible for Hip-Hop and Rap music. For many artists, the album is now shorter than it has ever been. Releases are more concentrated and digestible than they have been been in decades. Moreover, the MC/producer double-threat is winning, as is the chemistry... Read more

June 21, 2018 Food for Thought

Does Rhyme Still Pay? Slug & Evidence Weigh In On A Dope Vanderslice Beat (Audio Premiere)

Producer Vanderslice has been a source of dusty sounds for years. From the town of Phoenixville, outside of Philadelphia, the beat-miner has worked with Prodigy, Freddie Gibbs, Apathy, Roc Marciano, and others. He has released a string of instrumental and producer-compilation style albums. 'Slice's next LP is called The Best... Read more

June 18, 2018 Audio, Exclusive

Evidence & Krondon Show That L.A.’s Underground Vets Now Do It Big (Video)

Evidence is an ambassador for quality Hip-Hop in 2018. Not only does he create it, but he also gives shine to other deserving talent—be it by inviting them to guest on his projects, or by hooking them up with a verse or beat. Without seeming retro or throwback, this Venice,... Read more

May 11, 2018 Video

Finding The GOAT Group: Dilated Peoples vs. Jurassic 5. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest collectives vying for the #1 spot. Sixty-two groups have been pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot will be reserved for a wild-card entry, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to... Read more

April 25, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

Wu-Tang Clan To Perform 36 Chambers At 2018 Soundset Festival

Rhymesayers Entertainment's 11th annual Soundset lineup is announced. For 2018, the Minneapolis, Minnesota Hip-Hop festival will feature some of RSE's founders and quite active artists. Event co-organizers Atmosphere will perform on the heels of reissuing their 1997 debut Overcast!. Slug, Ant, and company will be joined by Evidence, following last... Read more

February 28, 2018 Fresh

Evidence & Slug Make A Video That Is Both Dope & Sobering

Last month, Evidence seemingly reached a new plateau in his solo career following the release of his fourth solo album, Weather Or Not. The Los Angeles-bred MC/producer's cohesive project contains a wide range of production and cathartic songwriting that addresses fatherhood, the harsh reality of his terminally-ill spouse, and dealing... Read more

February 27, 2018 Video

Evidence Explains How Weather Or Not Is A Personal & Therapeutic Album (Video)

Just days ago, Evidence released his fourth solo project, Weather Or Not. Featuring Styles P, Alchemist, Rapsody, and his Dilated Peoples cohorts Rakaa and DJ Babu (among others), the Rhymesayers release closes out a nearly 11-year-old album series from Mr. Slow Flow. Last night (January 31), on a Midtown Manhattan... Read more

February 1, 2018 Exclusive, Interview, Video

Evidence’s Weather Or Not Album Forecasts A Great 2018 In Hip-Hop (Audio)

Evidence has not released a solo album in more than five years. The co-founder of Dilated Peoples and Step Brothers changes that this week with his Weather Or Not. The last in a trilogy of acclaimed LPs that dates back to 2007's The Weatherman LP and also included 2012's Cats... Read more

January 25, 2018 Audio

Phonte Spits An MVP Verse For Domo Genesis’ “Shaq Carried Kobe” (Audio)

Sports analogies in Hip-Hop are nothing new. Such references can be the lifeblood of a musical genre that often likens itself to a "game” and thrives on competition. Phife Dawg, Chuck D, Kool Keith, and Ice Cube are just some of the masters of sports metaphor and simile. Domo Genesis'... Read more

January 23, 2018 Audio

Evidence & DJ Premier Show They’re True Masters Of This Thing Called Hip-Hop (Video)

Evidence is just two weeks away from his third solo album, Weather Or Not. Coming January 26 on Rhymesayers Entertainment, the Dilated Peoples and Step Brothers member's first solo LP in more than six years already promises to be something serious. In 2017, Heads got a taste of the realness... Read more

January 12, 2018 Video

Evidence Reveals His Next Album Title & Tracklist. The New Video Is Bananas.

This April, Dilated Peoples and Stepbrothers member Evidence released "Throw It All Away." The video single (which has been a staple on the Ambrosia For Heads playlist since) featured some of the most heartfelt rapping to date from the Venice, California Grammy Award-winner. The second single, "Jim Dean" keeps the... Read more

November 17, 2017 Video

Slaine & Termanology Confront Addiction Over Stellar Evidence Production (Video)

Last month, Slaine and Termanology combined forces for a star-studded LP. The artists who rep La Coka Nostra, 1982, and Special Teamz find a unique energy together, coming from a place of realness. With the Evidence-produced beat that keeps everything contained within a cycle of a few notes, Slaine and... Read more

November 2, 2017 Exclusive, Video

Defari Unleashes His First Album In 11 Years, Produced By Evidence. Stream It All. (Audio)

In 1999, Defari was one of the most exciting emerging voices in Hip-Hop. Mentored by The Alkaholiks' E-Swift, the southern California MC appeared on Dr. Dre's massive 2001 the same year he released Focused Daily on Tommy Boy Records. Like affiliates Xzibit and Dilated Peoples, the Likwit MC appeared capable... Read more

November 1, 2017 Audio

Rob Swift Shows Why “The Breaks” Is The Most Authentic TV Show About Hip-Hop

On April 10, The Breaks completed the airing of its first season as a series. What began as a 2016 film for television extended for eight 2017 episodes. With actor, artist and director Mack Wilds portraying "Daryl 'DeeVee' Van Putten, Jr." in the Vh1 show, the cast also includes Hip-Hop figures such... Read more

April 26, 2017 Exclusive, Food for Thought

Evidence Returns With One Of His Best Songs In Years. He Reigns On An Alchemist Beat.

It has been nearly six years since Evidence released a solo album. For many fans, 2011's Cats & Dogs reached a new zenith for the Dilated Peoples and Stepbrothers veteran. Still running with Rhymesayers, the 20-year veteran is in even stronger form on new video single, "Throw It All Away."... Read more

April 5, 2017 Video

Finding The GOAT Producer: Pete Rock vs. Kanye West. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer,” the third installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest producers vying for the #1 spot. Thirty producers were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and two slots will be reserved for wild-card entries, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no... Read more

February 24, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Producer: Alchemist vs. Mannie Fresh. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer” begins. The third installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest producers vying for the #1 spot. Thirty producers were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and two slots will be reserved for wild-card entries, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no deserving... Read more

February 2, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Oh No & Tristate Join Evidence For A Song That Shows Wack MCs The Front Door (Audio)

Gangrene co-founder, producer/MC Oh No has teamed up with Tristate of Planet Asia’s bi-coastal super-group Gold Chain Military for a collaborative LP on the Hieroglyphics' imprint. Oh No will reportedly handle the entirety of its production. If the first single is any indication, for those who suffer from a lack... Read more

December 10, 2016 Audio

DJ Premier & Dilated Peoples Reunite To Bring Torii Wolf Into The Mix (Audio)

Nearly 15 years ago, Dilated Peoples and DJ Premier crossed paths on their sophomore album, Expansion Team. The trio from Los Angeles, California did just that, on an LP that also featured production from Questlove, The Beatnuts, and Da Beatminerz. Preemo's Gang Starr brother Guru would also appear on the... Read more

June 7, 2016 Audio

This Track From Dilated Peoples & Tha Alkaholiks Still Deserves To Be In Heavy Rotation (Audio)

In many ways, Tha Alkaholiks were a critical, often overlooked part of the 1990s West Coast Underground movement. Acts like Freestyle Fellowship, Hieroglyphics, and The Pharcyde were instrumental forces—unifying multiple MCs, groups, and styles in a didactic, soulful sound that was distinctly California. However, in L.A., E-Swift, J-Ro, and Katashtrophe... Read more

May 5, 2016 Do Remember

DJ Babu’s Latest Throwback Mix Celebrates Gang Starr, Def Squad & Wu-Tang Clan

In the last few weeks, Dilated Peoples/Beat Junkies member DJ Babu laid out his sophomore Barbershop Mix. The only thing this throwback, free download, hour-plus mix has in common with a barber is the fresh cuts. The Southern California vet goes into his crates to extract gems by Def Squad,... Read more

December 3, 2015 Mixes, Throwback

Do Remember: Rawkus Records’ Soundbombing 2 Album (Audio)

May 18, 1999, Rawkus Records would enter their most definitive year with their fifth full-length release in Soundbombing II. Distributed by the same Priority Records that had been so integral to the successes of Ruthless, Rap-A-Lot, and Roc-A-Fella, Brian Brater and Jarret Myer's imprint was truly stepping out. 1998 had... Read more

May 14, 2015 Throwback

It’s A Day In The Life For Dilated Peoples, Who Show Us The Way (Video)

The Dilated Peoples have shared their visual to the second single from the heralded Directors Of Photography album, the Aloe Blacc-assisted "Show The Way." The record follows the artists through a day-in-the-life, in search of the greater purpose. For the Evidence co-directed video, that idea is still at play. Ev,... Read more

November 4, 2014 Fresh, Video

Dilated Peoples’ DJ Babu Gets Blue-Eyed Soulful In Rhythm Roulette (Video)

With an album on the charts recently (very close to Dilated Peoples' all-time highest positioning at that, with Directors Of Photography), DJ Babu is next up to play Mass Appeal's Rhythm Roulette. The Los Angeles, California-based turntablist/producer, who is also a Beat Junkies member grabs records ranging from The Association... Read more

September 11, 2014 Fresh, Video

20 Amazing Hip-Hop Projects From 2014, So Far (Videos)

2014 is entering its fourth quarter. As a whole, the year has seen some amazing musical developments in Hip-Hop. Mainstream artists like Common, The Roots, and Rick Ross (coincidentally, all Def Jam Records acts) have made statement albums, adding to respected and evolved catalogs. Veterans such as Cormega, Pharoahe Monch,... Read more

September 8, 2014 Featured-homepage, Fresh, Video

Ras Kass & Apollo Brown Trade Memories With Pharoahe Monch & Rakaa (Audio)

Apollo Brown beats beckon reflection from MCs. Whether O.C., Journalist 103, or Roc Marciano, rappers tend to get nostalgic when they get an opportunity to touch one of these soul-sampling gems from the Michigan native. On "Memories," Ras Kass steps in to recall his days in Watts (before moving to... Read more

September 2, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Catch Up On the Best in Hip-Hop Video From the Last Week (Video Playlist)

The last week brought several gems in Hip-Hop video. Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff reunited to perform "Summertime" in Vegas, DJ Babu recounted what happened to a fan who punched DJ Premier in the face, Marco Polo made a compelling and entertainment argument about why "Your Old Droog" is... Read more

August 17, 2014 Video

What Becomes Of A Hallucinating Fan Who Punches DJ Premier? Babu Explains (Video)

In 1999 Dilated Peoples joined Gang Starr and Rage Against The Machine on tour. These experiences were well-chronicled on the later track, "Gang Starr Bus" by Bumpy Knuckles, produced by DJ Premier. Three legendary outfits toured in a well-remembered time in music. Gearing up for his own new release with... Read more

August 13, 2014 Fresh, Video

Dilated Peoples Perform Music From Their New Album on Sway in the Morning (Video)

Dilated Peoples held a mini concert on the Sway in the Morning show, performing "Show Me the Way" and the DJ Premier-produced "Good as Gone" from their new album Directors of Photography. Welcome back, fellas...Check it out. Related: Dilated Peoples Freestyle Off the Top on Toca Tuesdays (Video)... Read more

August 12, 2014 Video

Dilated Peoples Freestyle Off the Top on Toca Tuesdays (Video)

Rakaa and Evidence from Dilated Peoples dropped by DJ Tony Touch's Toca Tuesday show and kicked a mean freestyle, off the top. Their new album Director's of Photography is available for sale today. Check out the video. Related: You Thought That They Were Gone For Good, But Dilated Peoples Are... Read more

August 12, 2014 Video

Dilated Peoples & Vince Staples Process Their Thoughts In The Dark Room (Audio)

After six years without producing a record together, DJ Babu was the first member of Dilated Peoples to reveal that the group was back in the studio and working on brand new material back in 2011. With three years more to allow the music they mastered to marinate under their... Read more

August 5, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Dilated Peoples & J5’s Chali 2na Freestyle 15 Years Ago This Week (Video)

Right now, Dilated Peoples and Jurassic 5 are on the Word Of Mouth Tour. The two veteran Los Angeles, California underground Hip-Hop collectives are joined by The Beat Junkies' DJ Rhettmatic and MC Supernatural, all entities who weathered the storm of major label deals and opportunities, shifted to a diverted... Read more

August 4, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Here’s a Playlist of the Best Hip-Hop of July 2014 (Audio)

July brought the heat in Hip-Hop, including new music from Jeezy & Jay Z, Black Thought, Raekwon, G-Unit, Rah Digga, Q-Tip, Cormega, Wale, "Your Old Droog," Elzhi, Chubb Rock, KRS-One, Big K.R.I.T., Wiz Khalifa, Common, Dilated Peoples, Souls of Mischief, Scarface and more. Check out a playlist of the Best... Read more

August 2, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Playlists

This Week in Hip-Hop Brought a Righteous Verse from Lecrae, Videos from Common, Cormega, ONYX, YG & More (Video Playlist)

This week in Hip-Hop video brought some heavy hitters, including Lecrae conquering Sway's 5 Swingers of Death MC challenge with a righteous verse, 19-year old Kanye freestyling, new music videos from Cormega, Common, ONYX, YG, 2 Chainz, Chance the Rapper and more, Snoop interviewing Jimmy Kimmel, short clips on Apollo... Read more

July 26, 2014 Playlists, Video

After Over 20 Years The Dilated Peoples Are Still Finding Focus (Video)

Dilated Peoples, comprised of DJ Babu, Rakaa, and Evidence, formed together in 1992 and have gone through some turmoil between themselves and their mainstream label affiliation with Capitol Records throughout their 20 plus years in Hip-Hop. But the group has grown since those days and without the struggle, we may... Read more

July 23, 2014 Fresh, Video

Dilated Peoples & Aloe Blacc Have Been Showing Heads The Way For Years (Audio)

Dilated Peoples' comeback/reunion album, Directors Of Photography, is now due on August 12. The trio's departure from the major label system and simultaneous arrival at Rhymesayers Entertainment seemingly changes nothing. Evidence, Rakaa, and DJ Babu are still about a slow-flow underground Hip-Hop beach-side vibe all their own. Teamed with Emanon... Read more

July 14, 2014 Audio, Fresh

You Thought That They Were Gone For Good, But Dilated Peoples Are Back (Video)

Dilated Peoples, who have a vibrant underground following and most notably made their way onto the Billboard 100 ten years ago with John Legend and Kanye West on their collaborative track, "This Way," are back with all new material for your ears. The Los Angeles Hip-Hop collective meet out in... Read more

June 16, 2014 Fresh, Video

Alchemist & Evidence Open Up The Doors To Their Step Brothers’ Lord Steppington (Album Stream)

One of the more exciting albums under way in 2014 is Alchemist & Evidence's Step Brothers collaborative debut, Lord Steppington. The Rhymesayers Entertainment release features the pair's extended family such as Oh No, Action Bronson, Fashawn, Blu, Styles P, Roc Marciano, Domo Genesis, and Rakka Iriscience. Dropping tomorrow on all... Read more

January 20, 2014 Audio, Fresh

The Stepbrothers (Alchemist & Evidence) Have The Ultimate Showdown In Step Masters (Video)

Video director Jason Goldwatch worked with both Evidence and Alchemist separately at Decon, where both California natives dropped solo projects in recent years. Carrying that connection to Rhymesayers Entertainment, where as The Stepbrothers, the longtime homies and collaborators kept Jason in their arsenal for the captivating visual to "Step Masters."... Read more

November 19, 2013 Fresh, Video

Fashawn Unveils The Ecology With The Evidence-Produced Single, The Beginning (Video)

Fresno's Fashawn has let four years slide between Boy Meets World and his studio sophomore album. After dabbling with many styles in between on mixtapes and joints with the likes of Wiz Khalifa, Murs, and Alchemist, Fash comes home to start rolling out The Ecology. Taking its name from the... Read more

November 6, 2013 Fresh, Video

Alchemist & Evidence Pay A Step Brothers Homage To Ron Carter (Audio)

“The beat kinda reminded me of 'We Are The World'—especially the drums. If you listen to 2:12 of 'We Are The World,' you will hear what I'm talking about. The rap style was inspired by a group called Big Fortune that recorded a classic album in 1987, but unfortunately had... Read more

October 30, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Dilated Peoples’ Rakaa, Zion I’s Zumbi & Living Legends’ Sunspot Jonz Kick Chess Raps (Audio)

Hip-Hop and chess go hand-in-hand, word to DJ Quik. A lot of your favorite MCs, DJs, and producers love to apply lessons learned of the 64 squares to life and competitive art. Dilated Peoples' Rakaa Iriscience, Zion I's Zumbi, and Living Legends' Sunspot Jonz link with the Hip-Hop Chess Federation... Read more

October 24, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Step Brothers – Nothing To See/Hear

This project has been in discussion since 2008, and this Fall, we'll finally get a Step Brothers album. Rhymesayers Entertainment won the (alleged) bidding war to release the collaborative project from Alchemist and Evidence. Since the days of Dilated Peoples' The Platform, these two Cali kids have sounded lovely together... Read more

September 23, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Crate Diggers: Evidence (Video)

Dilated Peoples/Stepbrothers member Evidence may be best known as an MC, but he's got some severe joints as a producer. After scoring a Grammy Award co-producing portions of Kanye West's The College Dropout, Ev's produced underground hits like Defari's "Cookin' Up Your Brain," Sean Price's "BBQ Sauce," and Rakaa's "Delilah."... Read more

September 18, 2013 Fresh, Video

Evidence Performs LetYourSelfGo & I Don’t Need Love (Video)

After the Dilated Peoples kicked it together at last weekend's Rock The Bells in San Bernardino, California, Evidence performed something old and something new for The Closed Sessions in this concert video. Ev hit 'em with "LetYourSelfGo," from The Weatherman LP (my personal favorite Evidence LP) and "I Don't Need... Read more

September 12, 2013 Fresh, Video

MCs from the West never left but there’s been a resurgence of late from Southern Cali. It’s inspired this playlist which celebrates the contribution that LA-based MCs have made to hip-hop over the last 3 decades. You’ll hear music from Ice-T, NWA, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound, DJ Quik, Lady of Rage, Warren G, 2Pac, The Game, The Pharcyde, King Tee, Tha Alkaholiks, Jurrasic 5, Dilated Peoples, DJ Quik, Pac Div, Murs, Jay Rock and Kendrick Lamar.

Obviously, there are many other MCs who've helped build the LA legacy but this is a representation of many left coast eras. Just press play, sit back and listen to how the West was won. Related: Snoop Dogg - Reincarnated Official Film Trailer (Video)... Read more

September 24, 2011 Audio, Playlists

AFH On Spotify

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