Dilated Peoples is an underground hip hop group residing in California. They have achieved great fame in the underground hip hop community, although they have had little mainstream success, with the exception of the song "This Way", a collaboration with Kanye West, in 2004. Their members include DJ Babu (producer/DJ), Evidence (rapper/producer) and Rakaa Iriscience (rapper).
Its members, DJ Babu from the DJ crew Beat Junkies, Evidence, and Rakaa joined together in 1992 and released "Third Degree" and "Work the Angles" on ABB Records, developing a solid fan base in the underground hip hop community. They recorded an album "Imagery, Battle Hymns & Political Poetry", which was never released, although many fans do have it on bootleg. They eventually signed to Capitol Records and released The Platform (2000) to more critical acclaim. Their second set Expansion Team was released in 2001 led by The Alchemist-produced "Worst Comes To Worst", which utilised a vocal sample from Mobb Deep's "Survival Of The Fittest" and a musical sample from William Bell's "I Forgot To Be Your Lover". Their third album, Neighborhood Watch, was released in 2004 and debuted at #55 on USA's Billboard 200 Albums Chart. In addition to the Kanye West-produced single, "This Way", it featured the single "Who's Who?", which was also included as a track on the Need for Speed: Underground and SSX 3 soundtracks, and peaked at #35 on the UK Singles Chart. Their latest album, 20/20, was released in 2006; the debut single, "Back Again", is featured on the Fight Night Round 3 soundtrack. This is the third EA Games Soundtrack on which the group has been featured. "Back Again" is also featured on Sony's MLB 06: The Show.
Dilated Peoples are affiliated with fellow west coast rap group, Tha Alkaholiks. The Liks appear on The Platform on the track "Right On" and Expansion Team on "Heavy Rotation". They also collaborate frequently with west coast rapper, Defari and helped launch his career. Defari made one appearance on each Dilated Peoples' album; "Ear Drums Pop (Remix)" on The Platform, "Defari Interlude" on Expansion Team, "Closed Session" on Neighborhood Watch and "Olde English" on 20/20. Dilated Peoples made multiple appearances on Defari's album Odds & Evens. Another Dilated associate is a long time producer for them, The Alchemist. The Alchemist produced five songs on The Platform, three songs on Expansion Team, four songs on Neighborhood Watch and two songs on 20/20. Dilated Peoples were featured on a song on The Alchemists' 1st Infantry. Other Dilated People affiliates include rappers Talib Kweli, B-Real and Phil Da Agony, rap groups Mobb Deep, Gang Starr and The Roots and producer, Joey Chavez.
