The Bums | en

Taking a cue from fellow Los Angeles alternative-to-gangster rappers the Pharcyde, the duo known as Brothas Unda Madness stirred things up on the stagnant West Coast platform in the mid-'90s. With some help from well-known California wake-up show hosts such as the Bay Area's Baka Boyz and L.A.'s King Tech, E-Vocalist and D-Wyze were able to gain a foothold in the West Coast underground scene. Their first single, "Elevation," borrowed freely from Teddy Pendergrass' bedroom anthem, "Close the Door," and paved the way for their critically acclaimed debut, Lyfe 'N' Tyme, released in May of 1995. On the album, the B.U.M.S exercised an intellectual hoodlum point of view combining street philosophy with B-boy posturing. The crew's straight-ahead delivery and multi-syllabic rhymes belied the relaxed flows of most West Coast artists of the era. Lyfe 'N' Tyme also featured the underground hits "Take a Look Around" and "6 Figures & Up." The duo also worked with Oakland's Saafir on the slamming B-side cut "Rain." .