The Pharcyde
The Pharcyde
By Hector De La Rosa
Twenty years in the music industry and one would presuppose
any solo act/ band/ duo/ group would retire or without doubt give up on their
careers after experiencing turmoil. It
is not the case with the legendary hip-hop group The Pharcyde. This group known
for their resilience from personal strains that cause original members to
disband (making resentment an emotion kept under the carpet without
resurfacing), finally break their silence.
A reunion was much anticipated and a tour was formed in celebration of
their 20th anniversary debut classic Bizarre Ride II The
Pharcyde.
An interview with The Pharcyde was not so much the focus on
their artistry or on the upcoming sequel to their classic debut. It was more centered on the genre of
hip-hop. “I feel hip-hop has
[evolved]. It has changed so much since
we first came up,” adds the distinctive group member Fatlip. He emphasized technology such as the Internet
not only revolutionized the genre but also marked a dent, exhausting the music
industry of profit. “People no longer
pay for music.” Fatlip in blank stare
utters, “The record label we signed to [forecast] what would be the shake up of
the music industry. I wish [the label]
could have warned us.” Without being
informed, “we as artists have to hustle hard.
Technology took the industry to a time when artists had to get on the
chitlin circuit and grind. Usually an
artist would work on perfecting their craft or promoting that one single.” A positive outlook on the Internet as an
important resource balances the displeasure of it. “I feel there is more
creativity in hip-hop and audiences do not have to accept anything a record
label pushes. They dictate to artists
and labels what they want by telling them what is [hot and wack],” reveals an
enthusiastic Fatlip.
Another theme concerning how the genre transformed is the
minstrelsy adopted by hip-hop artists.
Fatlip expresses, “There is a thin line between expressing yourself and
not being afraid of putting yourself out there.
I feel it is alright for artists to make party records.” Fatlip feels these records are solely for
entertainment purposes. “I feel artists
should have an option to talk about whatever they want to convey [in their
rhymes].” Prolific producer J-Swift
inserts, “As long as the public can differentiate the difference between art
and reality.” Fatlip continues, “I would
not rely on obtaining my knowledge from media such as MTV, BET, and Clear
Channel. Hip-hop should be viewed
nothing more than [a form of] escapism.”
Though, the Pharcyde as a collective feel they have a social
responsibility as hip-hop artists in their artistry and music. “People need to inform themselves that
hip-hop did not start from corporate,” declares J-Swift. “It is a product of the ghetto,” stressed the
insightful SlimKid3. He continues, “Soon
as corporations caught on to how to make a profit from the genre, they
[bastardized] it [bereft of a social message].”
Therefore, “we as a society must be accountable for our actions. Responsibility starts with us and within our
homes. We can complain about hip-hop
holding back our society, youth, [foremost] culture, but the industry does not
give a f--k.” Frustration abrupt. “It is crazy because this same industry,
technology, and destructive content are breaking families apart. I view this [notion] as the invisible prism,”
explains SlimKid3.
The forces of entertainment cannot bribe The Pharcyde living
up to their integrity. Fatlip jokingly
pronounce, “I may be broke but I’m humble.”
If asked if the group would have a reality show if a major broadcast
network negotiates a deal with the group, the straight-face Fatlip gives a flat
out “Hell No!”
- Hector De La Rosa
@11journ_list
Read article at Consciousness Magazine www.consciousnessmagazine.com
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