When the highly acclaimed alternative hip hop trio Dilated Peoples began making noise in the late 1990's on Capitol Records, the group consisting of Evidence, Rakaa and DJ Babu hoped their success would serve as a platform for solo projects, much as the Wu-Tang Clan's success had done before them. Four critically acclaimed albums, countless performances around the globe, gracing the covers of a myriad of publications and outside production work - including tracks for the Beastie Boys, Linkin Park, Swollen Members, Defari, Planet Asia and co- production on Kanye West's Grammy award winning album College Dropout, Evidence gives his fans a brilliant taste of his own individual talent on his debut solo album The Weatherman LP.
Through his work as one-third of Dilated Peoples, Evidence became a torchbearer and champion of hip-hop culture, something he continues on his first solo album. And The Weatherman does just that.
EUT: What was it like to record an album solo?
Evidence: It was a different experience for me. It wasn't comfortable like it is
recording a Dilated record. I think it was being uncomfortable that made me push harder than I ever have before. I had three times the amount of writing to do but I enjoyed the freedom to speak on personal issues and open up to my audience more than I have before.
EUT: How personal is this album to you?
Evidence: It's a very personal album for me. It's dedicated to my mother, Jana Taylor, who passed away two years ago. I really wanted to celebrate her life through this LP. It's the underlying theme. I have been through tremendous ups and downs since she passed and making this record was the closest thing to therapy that I have done to help me deal with the reality of my situation. I definitely wouldn't want to speak on a lot of the things I did on my solo record on a Dilated record, so in many ways it was a big load off my chest to complete this album.
EUT: What kind of personal issues do you talk about?
Evidence: How it was for me growing up in my neighbourhood. I'm from Venice,
California. I also spoke about doubts I have about life and all kind of things that make me a regular human being. I really put my guard down for this record and showed a
personal side of me.
EUT: How do you want people to think of you after listening to this album?
Evidence: I just want people to feel closer to me than they ever have before and
if you never heard of me then I want this to be a great introduction to my life through my music to that person or people.
EUT: Do you think you've improved as an artist while recording this?
Evidence: I think I have. I know I made an album different than what was expected of me. That alone I feel is an improvement. It's very easy to get stuck in your ways and I feel I put myself out there. A lot of the greats do exactly that and they put it all on the line whether good or bad.
EUT: How long have you been waiting for this album to be released?
Evidence: Since 2002. It took me six to eight months to complete it once I started it but I have been gearing up for this for a long time.
EUT: Were you able to record everything that you wanted to?
Evidence: I actually did see my vision through. I did have a few too many songs so some didn't make it but they will surface on B sides and different places.
EUT: Have you been doing more producing lately?
Evidence: I have been doing a little less because I'm really into promoting this album. I am making a lot of new beats though; I just haven't been actively shopping them. I will soon but right now I'm just keeping my sword sharp and getting better at my craft. I think I will have a bright future in production but right now I'm in full promo mode. The Weatherman LP is in stores now!
EUT: Why is it called The Weatherman, I heard it's a nickname?
Evidence: I used to make to many references to the weather so people started calling me "The Weatherman" around 1998. I always knew this would be the title of my first solo LP. It ties into my whole campaign, erasing the misconception that it never rains in Southern California with the Reign of Evidence so to speak. It's to erase all stereotypes and misconceptions.
EUT: Are you feeling any pressure to succeed as a solo artist?
Evidence: Sure, mostly review wise. I just wanted the people and press to feel it. Sales, if it happens then, hey, even better. I didn't try to make hits. I just wanted to be felt. A lot of the most felt records are not the biggest sellers. The game is funny like that.
EUT: Have you found it hard to be recognised as just Evidence and not Evidence from Dilated Peoples?
Evidence: That's the best question yet. My goal is to become just "Evidence" Right now I'm still Ev from Dilated. I love how he's just Ghostface Killah, not Ghostface Killah from Wu Tang Clan. I mean its obvious he is but he really earned the title to just be himself. I'm Dilated
Peoples for life but it would be great in a year from now to have earned the title just "Evidence".
EUT: Will Dilated Peoples work together again soon?
Evidence: Yes definitely, we have our first DVD dropping this summer called The Release Party DVD – it's amazing! Rakaa is doing his first solo LP Crown Of Thorns right now and Babu is in the lab cooking up Duck Season 3. In 2008 we will hit the studio and make our fifth Dilated Peoples album. It will be great because after we have dropped all of our solo material you will really know who were are as individual "peoples".
www.dilatedpeoples.com
www.myspace.com/evidence
Rashmi Shastri – Mar '07
