Dilated Peoples

DJB: Rakaa had a publishing company called Expanding Pupils. Rakaa and Evidence had just gotten out of a record contract and were resurfacing. Alchemist, who was around before me and is an invisible member of the group, flipped the publishing group name into what it is now.

2NR: As an example, we see Xzibit in the video. Some people may not know or understand the relationships-explain the lineage of the group.

DJB: I hope I don't forget anyone. Between Ev, Rak and me, we're all individuals but we're all just blue-collar cats. What made our group strong is our connections with other people. Dilated has been loosely affiliated with Likwit Crew-it's not official. Defari is our ace-our dog. Xzibit is Likwit. Phil da Agony and that Strongarm Steady crew are cats from around the way people we're fans of and build with. Ev and Rak have a strong tie to the whole Soul Assassins family, not only through Alchemist but also through DJ Lethal of House of Pain. At one time they were signed to DJ Lethals publishing company. A lot of what we do is built around Cypress Hill-two emcees and a DJ; a West Coast group with a non-characteristic West Coast sound-so there's a tie there. Of course Lootpack (Madlib, Wildchild, DJ Romes); I've known them since the OX days and obviously they're Likwit. We've worked together and done shows together. Beyond that, what's interesting about us is that we can float between the two worlds where you'll see us hang out with guys like Xzibit but you could also catch us with Aceyalone. I think it's because we all came from that golden era of hip hop. The "Yo! MTV Raps" music era. We respect our fan base and respect the culture but as much as we "try to keep," we also want to sell a million records.

2NR: A lot of times you'll perform in a club where the sound system isn't really set up for live performances. You guys have great stage presence. You have a show.

DJB: Even before the first album, when I wasn't officially in the group and I just did studio sessions and some shows, we had one 12. That record had three songs on it: "Third Degree," "Global Dynamics" and "Confidence." It was one group song, one Evidence song and a Rakaa Song. The first song featured Defari. We'd literally have a 15-minute show. Now if we had to we could rock for an hour and 40. Rakaa is the most comfortable on stage, Ev is the studio cat, and I-through battles-cross the two. Rakaa always stressed the importance of being dope live. And he's right because I remember catching a hip hop show for a group that I liked but seeing them live it was just shitty. When we started we didn't have anything but the show, no videos, no faces-we want to give a show to the people. Before our record deal we were able to tour ourselves internationally and sell tens of thousands of 12s literally out of the trunk of our car. A live show definitely helped us get to new places.

2NR: Being in this for so long what have you learned about the industry?

DJB: It's a cutthroat business. And it's hard. People think that when you sign a deal and are on that level that the road is paved with gold. When I signed I just thought of it as another doorway; the start of a whole other chapter. It's hard because you got this big machine that invests money into your group and your vision and the bottom line is that there are expectations. You are in a business agreement and they want to see their money back. At the end of the day, they could love your music and they could see you destroy shows, but they will look at the numbers... the zeros and plaques. We've got all the key things in place-the tour manger, accountants, lawyers, and management-but it just as important as ever to be on top of your shit.

2NR: Has Rakaa gotten you guys into the Jujitsu stuff?

DJB: Ev just picked it up. He's been doing it for the past six months. My son and me are scheduled for our first session when we get back. I've been getting shit from Gracie for it for the longest. That's like extended family too, so whenever I see those guys they're like, "Babs, when are you comin down? You're disrespecting the family." They've been offering free sessions forever. They've even invited me to some of the private matches. They kind of hold us down like low-key security.