Dilated Peoples – '20/20' (Capitol) Released 20/02/06

There’s no faulting the Dilated Peoples because every project they seem to produce comes close to perfection. This statement is definitely true especially when talking about their new album '20/20', and with a slamming single that comes in the form of 'Back Again' the sky’s the limit for the L.A. rap trio.

As per usual DJ Babu cooks up some of the dopest beats ever to be heard on wax, the samples are on point but none more so than the ones heard on 'You Can’t Hide, You Can’t Run'. An initially simplistic bit of production is transformed in to a work of musical art courtesy of not only Babu’s contribution but also Evidence’s inspirational lyrical content. Some may view the Dilated Peoples as a strict backpacker hip-hop group but these people forget where the respected trio come from. Los Angeles is the home to some of the hardest rappers the game has ever been witness to, so it’s no surprise to hear the weed obsessed (just check out the skits contained on the album) crew get gangsta on record.

Joints like 'Rapid Transit' and the Defari featured 'Olde English' prove that hardcore hip-hop is something that the Dilated Peoples do very well. The title track closes the album out with a funky selection of sounds mixed in with a few scratches here, and some lyrical excellence there. If you are a hip hop fan and don’t pick up this album then you’re stupid because these guys have been keeping hip-hop true for a long time.