Dilated Peoples

Dilated Peoples, the acclaimed hip hop trio comprising rapper and producer Evidence, rapper Rakaa Iriscience, and Beat Junkies deejay and producer DJ Babu, first made waves with their track ‘Third Degree,’ released in 1997 on ABB Records. This followed their earlier work, including the 1995 album ‘Imagery, Battle Hymns & Political Poetry,’ which, though not officially released, circulated widely among fans on bootlegged tapes, solidifying their foundation in the underground hip hop scene. The group subsequently signed with Capitol Records, releasing their debut album, ‘The Platform,’ in 2000. Their momentum continued with the 2001 release of ‘Expansion Team,’ which featured the Alchemist-produced single ‘Worst Comes to Worst.’ This track achieved broader recognition by reaching the Top 40 of the UK Singles Chart.

Expanding into new media, the trio contributed the track ‘This is Madness’ to PlatinumGames’ video game ‘Anarchy Reigns’ in 2012, showcasing their versatility and continued relevance. Dilated Peoples later released ‘Directors of Photography’ in 2014 under Rhymesayers Entertainment. This album reaffirmed their impact, debuting at number 41 on the Billboard 200 and number 9 on the US R&B Albums chart. Having maintained an active presence in the hip hop landscape from 1992–2017 and resuming in 2022, Dilated Peoples continues to demonstrate their enduring artistry and influence within the genre.