Six years after they last performed as a four-piece, The Pharcyde have become embroiled in a nasty legal tussle.
For those that don’t know, L.A. hip-hop outfit The Pharcyde – made up of Bootie Brown, Imani, Slimkid3 and Fatlip – were one of the best-regarded crews operating in the early 1990s: 1992’s Bizarre Ride II The Pharycde remains a touchstone for fans of psychedelic hip-hop, and 1994 followup Labcabincalifornia offered a more potent strain of kaleidoscopic West Coast rap. The group eventually dissolved in the early 2000s, although they won acclaim for a short reunion in 2008.
As AllHIpHop report, the group have become embroiled in some intercenine legal troubles. According to documents obtained by the site, Brown and Imani are currently suing Fatlip and Slimkid3 in Los Angeles over alleged misuse of the group’s name. The pair are claiming breach of contract, violation of right of publicity, trademark infringement, unjust enrichment, unfair competition, and injunctive and declaratory relief.
The complainants claim that their former band members signed a contract in 1997 which gave Robinson and Wilcox control over “names, likenesses and other identifying material” relating to the group. The suit goes on to allege that Fatlip and Slimkid3 have repeatedly traded as The Pharcyde in the intervening years, despite the transfer of group rights being reasserted back in 2008.
The lawsuit also alleges that Fatlip and Slimkid3 have, rather sneakily, been booking shows in the same city as “official” The Pharcyde gigs in a deliberate attempt to bamboozle fans. The suit reads:
“These practices of the defendants have caused a great deal of confusion among consumers, with a likelihood of additional confusion at each stop of the plaintiffs’ tour, and have cost plaintiffs revenue from consumers who might otherwise pay to see a Pharcyde performance, wrongfully believing that the legitimate concerts by plaintiffs will be the same show that just appeared in that city.”
Last year, The Pharcyde’s 1992 classic Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde was given not one but two deluxe reissues.
