"I'm pressed up and labeled "evidence" But never chasing fame, dragons, chicks, or dead presidents Dreams, but never snatch chains of any measurements Because of my name, for every fuckin' crime they find the relevance Choices in my life that I want to correct I got voices in my head that I want to forget Uh and I don't live with regret But I've been living with a chick while other chicks try to text..."
Cats & Dogs is the second studio album by American rapper Evidence, his first release since signing with the Minneapolis based label Rhymesayers, released on September 27, 2011.
"Have you had a day, where you didn't talk to nobody Saw no people, heard no evil, probably Turned your phone off, drove with no destination No navigation, off-road to outer places Past the city limits, become an out-of-towner..."
The idea for The Layover EP originally came about while he was on tour with Little Brother. It was originally going to be a 5 track release produced entirely by North Carolina producer Khrysis for free download. He later decided to up the ante and make it an official release. Evidence cites Ice Cube's Kill at Will, Pete Rock & CL Smooth's All Souled Out and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's Creepin on ah Come Up as influences for the project, mini LP's that served an eager fan base with enduring, concentrated, filler-free product. DJ Premier ranked the album 2nd in his top 20 albums of 2008 list. In the video for "The Far Left" when The Alchemist says "To the atmosphere so I can really find out" he holds up a drawing of a slug and an ant. This is a reference to the hip hop group Atmosphere, which consist of rapper Slug and producer Ant.
"Don't even matter 'cause, I ain't even mad at God I just think the saddest part is I don't wanna go 'Cause who the hell knows for, whom the bell tolls I was, chillin with muy peoples just, out on Melrose..."
Michael Perretta, better known as Evidence (born December 10, 1976 in Los Angeles, California), is an American hip hop artist, producer, and member of the rap group Dilated Peoples. Evidence is a native of Venice in Los Angeles, California and was born to an Italian father and a Russian-American mother. Before becoming a rapper and producer, Evidence was a graffiti artist. Evidence's affinity for hip-hop and the culture began in the early eighties, with his parents' divorce and subsequent move from the affluent city of Santa Monica to neighboring Venice Beach. By the early 1990s, and in addition to becoming a graffiti artist, painting hip hop inspired hieroglyphics under the name "VANE," a move next door to QD3, son of producer Quincy Jones, Evidence discovered his true calling. QD3, an accomplished West Coast producer, ("To Live and Die in L.A."- Tupac, "Ghetto Bird"- Ice Cube, "I Got the Knack"- Everlast) became one of Evidence's major influences in his pursuit to create music. "At night I would hear a loud thumping coming from the back yard next door and it wouldn't stop until early in the morning” says Evidence recalling those early days. “I could tell that they weren't just playing music but sounded like music was being created."
"A west coast thing, outta town niggas get took out their frame just for thinking every hoods the same especially where i'm from, we live by the gun put money over bitches and die over fund..."
I'm glad that there's still some artists who's staying true to the music nowadays! Here's Los Angeles based Evidence of Dilated Peoples with homie Fashawn on a great track named "Our Way". It's the first single off Fashawn's debut album "Boy Meets World" that came out Spring 09'.
