American hip-hop group formed in South Central Los Angeles in 1989. Lineup: Imani, SlimKid3 (Tre Hardson), Bootie Brown, and Fatlip. Distinguished by their playful, jazz-inflected production and their stylistic break from the prevailing gangsta-rap aesthetic of early-1990s West Coast hip-hop.
Released four studio albums between Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde (1992) and Humboldt Beginnings (2004). Critical peak: Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde and Labcabincalifornia (1995, produced largely by J Dilla). Internal tensions between members have led to recurring lineup splits.