Music

The Pharcyde & Friends

The LA hip-hop group performs their much-loved second album.

Thirty years ago, when LA rap group The Pharcyde released their second album Labcabincalifornia, there was nobody like them on the west coast. Vibe said the album was “reminiscent of early-career Sly & the Family Stone, mid Stevie Wonder, and late Sun Ra.” The Source said the hit single “Runnin’” was “a truly beautiful hip-hop song where the distinct elastic flow of each MC weaves over a Spanish-flavored guitar loop and sax sample.” The album cemented the members of The Pharcyde’s collective legacy as some of hip-hop’s farthest-out thinkers, and it marked one of the first major appearances by a record producer calling himself Jay Dee, sometimes known as J Dilla. In just a few short years, he’d go on to become, as NPR put it, “one of the music industry’s most influential hip-hop artists.” For one night only, The Pharcyde, a full band, and some very special guests will get together to celebrate 30 years of Labcabincalifornia, as well as the always-expanding legacy of J Dilla.