Some of
this year's South by Southwest offerings have a nostalgic scent (Fastball, anyone?)
but none as welcome as Fat Lip, one of the Pharcyde's four original
members and solo producer.
The
first question everyone wants to know, of course, is what's up with the
Pharcyde. In 1996 the group split and have, until last summer, worked
on their individual projects. Last summer, they reunited for some tours
and for now, a tenuous but steady allegiance has allowed them to tour
for thousands of fans.
"Obviously in '96 we
went our separate ways to follow creative endeavors and whatnot," said
Fat Lip, "and time had passed before we decided to work together."
At first it was a challenge, he said, to set aside egos and forget about the past.
The '90s
"I
didnt even view the '90s as classic until this generation pointed it
out. To me, classic music is from the 60s. But it's come back in style,
like i thought it was still the 90s."
Fat Lip also said that you just can't compare early 90s hip-hop to what we call hip-hop now.
"It
was a whole 'nother era then. Now there's Lupe [Fiasco], the Cool Kids,
but they're special, they're the exception. I'm not feeling a lot of
stuff today."
The DJ
What to expect on the dance floor from Fat Lip?
"You
would be surprised, but you would be dancing." he said. "I keep it
basic, because a hit is a hit. You might hear "American Boy," and then
Lil Scrappy."
- Natalia Ciolko
