Released: 24/02/23
At the turn of the century, West Coast gangsta rap dominated, pushing alternative and conscious hip-hop underground. Leading the comeback were groups like Jurassic 5 and Dilated Peoples, a West Coast trio gaining underground momentum since the early ’90s.
Their debut album, The Platform (2000), was critically acclaimed and marked their first Billboard success. It embraced old-school hip-hop vibes reminiscent of De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest, featuring sharp lyricism from Evidence and Rakaa, with DJ Babu’s skilled production and scratches.
The album included guest appearances from B-Real, Everlast, and more, plus production from The Alchemist and Kut Masta Kurt, cementing Dilated Peoples as key players in alternative hip-hop’s revival.