The platform – it takes respect to perfect art form
In 1992, the platform that would later be known as Dilated Peoples began to take form. Rapper Iriscience made his way into the hip hop scene in 1984 via graffiti art. Involved in poetry since childhood and in music since birth, he knew the combination of the two was “natural”. Evidence also made his first hip hop experiences using cans. DJ Babu entered the group in 1997. As a member of the world famous Beat Junkies, Babu brought his own brand of turntablism into the Dilated Peoples group. Now the two emcees had a world class DJ evolving into a group not unlike those they admired: “All of us were inspired by EPMD and Run DMC, two groups with two emcees and a DJ”.

And now, they’re finally up here: After some joints that rocked L.A.’s underground scene and some concerts the Dilated Peoples became known enough: It made sense to rush an album.

And here it is, The Platform. With a couple of highly anticipated guest appearances such as the one by B Real or Everlast aka White E. Ford, the Dilated Peoples’ record made fans wait. And the Dilated don’t disappoint people and heads!

The production: You hardly ever heard an album with such hard beats. You’ll be reminded of Jurassic 5 (is this either because of the production or because of the fact of rather East Coast-inspired beats made by a group (or better some producers) from L.A.?), this is 65 minutes of rough, hard beats. But unlike other records, this album has on the one hand got its diamonds, its burners, on the other hand it remains hard till the very last beat of the very last track and it’s very versatile. By the way, you wanna hear some scratching-skills? Babu shows us how to kill (or not to kill) needles. The producers, especially Evidence and The Alchemist, just produce at their best. No need for a remote control!

The lyrics are kind of refreshing: kind of many battle texts, hip hop as usual, but you’ll find some very nice ideas and skills between the lines. And after all, if your lyrics manage to rhyme, you can’t make much wrong with this production…
Nevertheless, the texts are well-done and satisfying: “…You better step up, you lookin’ kind of lost / Claiming two ghetto streets that don't even cross / If you didn't know, I'm a true arti-st / Who drops gems like on the run from police / Alias Evidence, intensified when live / I understand pace, I understand strive / The only thing worse than lose your title, have it stolen / I treat beats like video games that I'm controlling / My knots get blown at vinyl spots / Wise investment, create tracks that triple my stacks / Most kids got wack songs but hi-tech videos (Fresh!) / They know that ain't right, that's why the screens turn left / Flow goes backward please, Evidence here to seize / All assets, bout to bounce from BMI to ASCAP / And ask them cats if them checks ain't paid / Fuck the rain, Evidence I spray Raid on your parade …”

A well-done album, Dilated Peoples took the right step at the right time. They grew up and developed their styles in the underground, now they came up and brought their record - on point, get it! (M)