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The Dilated Peoples have been rocking mics for more than a decade and have certainly paid their dues. The Situation chewed the fat with members Babu and Rakaa as the group prepare to release their new album ‘20/20’.
“Some
call us a backpack group. You know what? This year we’re all going
to be rocking the biggest backpacks ever! We’ll do it fly and just
be us!” exclaims Dilated Peoples’
defiant DJ Babu on the line
from Capitol Records’ LA offices. That, in a nutshell, is Dilated
Peoples’ philosophy these days, but the group’s view hasn’t
always been as lucid as it is now.
In an industry where overnight sensations reign supreme and skills are measured in record sales rather than talent, the Dilated Peoples have more than earned their reputation as the hip hop head’s crew of choice, but it’s been a hard fought battle. Combining a time honoured tradition of two emcees (Evidence and Rakaa) and a DJ (Babu) Dilated have been credited with keeping the original sprit of beats and rhymes alive in a time that has seen hip hop mired in materialism rather than moving a crowd.
Initially making their presence felt on the LA independent
scene, the group inked a major label deal with Capitol in 2000, the result
of that being the much acclaimed ‘The Platform’. Now, three
albums deep and on the eve of releasing their highly anticipated forth
project entitled ‘20/20’ in February, the group have reached
a crossroads. Although they are gaining more and more mainstream attention
with each release, with the launch of this project, Dilated are keen to
remain true to their tried and tested sound which won the ears of a loyal
fan base at the start of their career. “Our formula never changes
as far aesthetically; we’re two emcees and a DJ, but this album
differs due to the fact we had to readjust,” explains designated
spokesman DJ Babu. “It’s a cross between where we were with
‘Platform’ and ‘Expansion Team’, it’s a
very independently minded album.”
Listening to the softly spoken LA native explain the title of the release,
it’s apparent that Babu is positive and firmly focused on the crew’s
latest endeavour. “Obviously the name Dilated Peoples and a lot
of our philosophy is about keeping your third eye open and playing off
of that but it’s also about the collective mind frame we’re
in,” he tells. “As a group and as individuals we’ve
never seen our lives, our careers, or just the game so clearly. We’re
really just seeing perfectly clear on things right now.”
Speaking with both Babu and Rakaa, it’s obvious their dealings with big business have left them somewhat cynical, especially on the subject of the marketing of their last release, 2004’s ‘Neighbourhood Watch’. Dissatisfaction with the label occurred when the first single from the project, the Kanye West-produced ‘This Way’, became the focus of media hype, which perhaps the group feel came at the cost of the rest of the project. A thoughtful and articulate Babu explains, “We had a whole plan of how we were going to release singles, attack and give people this new music. Once the label caught ear of the song we did with Kanye West, they kind of got blinders on and the whole campaign hinged upon this single. It was something we were all disappointed about, because as much as we loved that song and what it did for us, it wasn’t the look we wanted. There were 12 other songs on the album and a lot of people missed that because of the perception that was put out there because of that one record.” A tangible sense of disappointment tainted the release of ‘Neighbourhood Watch’, but ever on the grind, Dilated headed back to the studio to start work on new music. Unsure as to whether their Capitol deal was still intact, the group reverted to their ‘back to basics’ mentality resulting in the new single ‘Back Again’.
Creating a buzz with those in the know, ‘Back Again’ speaks on the increasing commercialism in hip hop, referencing an infamous line from P. Diddy’s ‘Bad Boy for Life’, (“Don’t worry if I write rhymes, I write cheques”) to great effect, with Evidence switching it up a little. An energetic Rakaa says of the single, “A lot of people say it’s all about ‘bling, bling’ now. Nobody complained when Run DMC were walking around with fat rope chains or whatever. You’re projecting what you want and you get a response from that, so that’s how you move. But at the same time, I feel that doesn’t mean you can’t still project and promote positivity. It doesn’t have to be a health food restaurant but the food should still be nutritious, if you know what I mean.” And ‘20/20’ certainly provides the listener a varied diet. Staying true to form, the group hit the booth with long time collaborators such as Alchemist and Joey Chavez, but surprises are also in store in the shape of ‘Fire Power’, a tasty track that finds Rakaa spitting heat with JA’s finest Capleton.
An avid dancehall
fan, Rakaa views the unexpected partnership as educational as well as
head nod worthy. “A big part of hip hop culture came out of the
soundclash culture. It’s such a direct connection, that’s
why Kool Herc coming out
of Jamaica and the sound system culture there knew how to set it up like
that when he came to the South Bronx. For me, it’s very important
to illustrate the connection. But on top of the underlying educational
aspect, the track itself is just ridiculous and that’s why we named
it ‘Fire Power’. It’s just us going at it.” Although
Rakaa doesn’t see his future as a dancehall don, a more eclectic
element is sure to find its way into Dilated’s forthcoming sound.
“The island vibe and that spiritually is definitely something that
will be a big part of the music I make,” Rakaa states. More diverse
collaborations are sure to come with Babu excited about the possibility
of working with West Coast favourite, Dub
C, or maybe even Dr Dre
cohort, Game, who Babu recently
bumped into at his local carwash. Of the encounter, the DJ said, “I
was a little awestruck to be honest with you, ’cause that’s
Dre’s dog, you know? He’s not really someone I run in the
same circles with and for him to know me before I even introduced myself,
I was really humbled and it kind of blew me back, you know? That’s
what’s up.”
Ever modest, Babu’s down to earth statement is evocative of the
crew’s ‘blue collar made good’ ethic, but don’t
take Dilated too lightly. With all members hailing from Los Angeles, the
group are strong advocates of the West Coast sound, even if Dilated may
not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of the typical
Cali style. Babu believes that being under the radar has benefited the
group. “When you talk about what people think of what traditional
west coast music is, we don’t fit the stereotype, the more gangster
stuff or whatever, which we love and are influenced by. We see ourselves
as more descendants of, at least in our region, of groups like The
Alcoholiks, Cypress Hill
or the Pharcyde. What it
has engrained in us is an underdog mentality in our career. It’s
taught us to stick to our guns and to just do us and do our music.”
That single-minded approach looks set to see the group through an extremely busy 2006, not only promoting the release of ‘20/20’ in the US, but also bringing the famed Dilated Peoples’ live show to Europe, somewhere the group like to call their second home. “Our following in Europe is really strong, sometimes stronger than here in LA!” exclaims Babu. “It’s been a point that especially Rakaa has brought to us from early in our career to tour Europe. We’re an international group and we never wanted to be confined by any borders. Being part of the hip hop culture, we’re part of a bigger thing.” Rakaa, who enjoys soaking up the flavours of the Big Smoke when taking a rare day off on tour, also chimes in: “We love everything but customs and the prices!”
From speaking to both Rakaa and Babu, it’s evident that they are passionate about their music and that the Dilated Peoples are growing stronger as a group with each release. Although various side projects are in the works for the guys, (such as a new instalment of the ‘Beat Junkies’ series for Babu), Dilated’s development is a priority. In the words of Rakaa, “The forth album feels good, but the fifth album will feel even better.”
Dilated Peoples’ new album, ‘20/20’, is released on EMI on February 21st, 2006.
