Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde

Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde is the debut album by alternative hip hop group The Pharcyde, released on November 24, 1992 through Delicious Vinyl Records. The album is produced by former group member J-Swift, and features only one guest appearance, provided by little known Los Angeles rapper Bucwheed (known then as “Buckwheat” from The Wascals). In the years after its release, Bizarre Ride was hailed by critics and alternative rap fans, and appeared in “best albums” lists in several publications.

Released during the dominant gangsta rap era of west coast hip hop, Bizarre Ride was described as “refreshing,” due to its playful, light-hearted humor and lush, jazzy production. Along with albums like To Whom It May Concern… by Freestyle Fellowship, and I Wish My Brother George Was Here by Del Tha Funkee Homosapien, Bizarre Ride helped establish a new alternative scene on the West Coast, followed by artists such as Hieroglyphics, The Coup and Jurassic 5. Despite the wide acclaim, the album produced only moderate sales, peaking at #75 on the Billboard 200 album chart in 1993. However, on the strength of the second single, “Passing Me By,” the album was certified gold in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America on March 28, 1996.