The Pharcyde is an alternative hip-hop group that hails from south central Los Angeles; the original line-up consisted of Imani, Slimkid3, Bootie Brown, and Fatlip. DJ Mark Luv., J-Swift and J Dilla have also been embers of the group at one time. The group came to fame with their hit singles: “Drop,” “Passin' Me By,” and “Runnin',” in addition to their debut album, “Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde.” The group came together when Slimkid3, Bootie Brown, and Imani met as dancers in the late 1980s; at the time Imani and Slimkid3 were already in a group together called “As Is,” while Bootie Brown was working as a dancer for Fatlip. Next the trio hooked up with producer J-Swift and recorded their first demo in 1991. The trio hired Paul Stewart, who had worked with Cypress Hill, De La Soul, and House of Pain, to create the sound they wanted. The band was signed to Delicious Vinyl Records later that same year. In 1992 the group were featured on the Brand New Heavies's album, “Heavy Rhyme Experience, Vol. 1,” with their track “Soul Flower.” This exposed the group to a whole new audience

After “Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde,” turned gold status, the press and the public began to take notice of Pharcyde. The album met with critical acclaim, with the single “Passin' Me By,” peaking at #52 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart. Next the group hit the road touring with A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul, and performing at 1994's Lollapalooza. As trouble began to develop with producer J-Swife and his drug habit, the group went on a hiatus from1997 and 1999. The trio re-emerged in 2000 with EP “Chapter One: Testing The Waters.” The trio followed up with a full-length studio album later that same year called “Plain Rap.” The album met with lukewarm responses from both fans and critics alike, and shortly thereafter Slimkid3 left the band to pursue a solo career. Brown and Imani became a duo and put out, “Humboldt Beginnings” in 2004. The album was not a commercial success and was released by the duo's own record label, Chapter One Entertainment. This album marked the beginning of the end for The Pharcyde. Brown and Imani have gone to collaborate with other artists and focus on solo and side projects.

The remaining duo of The Pharcyde merged with Souls of Mischief to form a group called “Almyghty Myghty Pythons,” who went on to put out a collaboration album, “Almyghty Myghty Pythons. Brown has also been collaborating with Gorillaz, and was featured on their single “Dirty Harry.” In 2010, Brown filled in for rapper Mos Def on the Gorillaz's world tour, and in England for their Glastonbury Festival performance. All former members of The Pharcyde have successful solo careers and have not ruled out working together again in the near future as a group. While the group has not officially broken up they are currently busy with other projects.

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