Dilated Peoples

Dilated Peoples stirred up the rap underground much like their West Coast contemporaries Jurassic 5, achieving this impact through a modest number of mostly underground releases. Evidence and Rakaa first connected in the mid-'90s after crossing paths repeatedly at local hip-hop events; their decision to collaborate on tracks soon led to the formation of the group. The addition of DJ Babu, a skilled turntablist affiliated with the Beat Junkies, completed the lineup and allowed Dilated Peoples to cut the singles "Third Degree" and "Work the Angles" for ABB Records. "Work the Angles" gained traction as an underground favorite through hip-hop radio and club rotation, which in turn secured the group a deal with Capitol. Their debut album, The Platform, arrived in May 2000. The Expansion Team, the follow-up Capitol release, came out in late 2001, earning favorable notices and reaching the Top 40; the ensuing March the trio joined the road tour supporting Scratch, a documentary focused on hip-hop DJs and turntablists. Neighborhood Watch appeared in 2004. In 2006 the loosely structured 20/20 surfaced, including guest spots by Talib Kweli and reggae great Capleton. Individual solo endeavors by the three members kept the collective on hiatus until 2014, when they issued Directors of Photography via the Rhymesayers label.