The group is perhaps best known for the hit singles "Drop", "Passin' Me By" and "Runnin''", as well as their first album, Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde. Pharcyde continues to tour and record, both collaboratively and in solo projects—the most recent being Hardson's collaborative EP with the award-winning DJ Nu-Mark (of Jurassic 5) released in 2014 on Delicious Vinyl.
Pharcyde group members Slimkid3, Bootie Brown, and Imani met as dancers in the late 1980s and dancing was their main ambition as late as 1990. Around this time, Imani and Slimkid3 were in a group called "As Is" and later a group called the "Play Brothers", whilst Bootie Brown was a backup dancer for Fatlip (Fatlip being the last member to join the group). Bootie Brown recalls that their earlier dancing careers influenced their rapping – "sometimes the way I rap is almost like the way I used to dance". The group met Reggie Andrews, a local high-school music teacher who worked with the Dazz Band and Rick James, and who was a major musical influence on their debut album. The group also met producer J-Swift around this time, as he was Reggie Andrews's "star pupil" according to the book Check the Technique.
Though Humboldt Beginnings is to date the last Pharcyde album, its members have since been keeping busy with various contributions and projects. A compilation of The Pharcyde was released in 2005, titled Sold My Soul: The Remix & Rarity Collection, featuring a number of remixes and rare songs. Former member Fatlip released his solo debut in 2005, titled The Loneliest Punk, and Tre Hardson's second full-length solo album SLIMKID3's Cafe was released on April 4, 2006.
2012 saw the twentieth anniversary of The Pharcyde's debut Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde, and to mark the event Fatlip and SlimKid3 teamed up with the album's producers, J-Swift and L.A. Jay, as well as record label Delicious Vinyl, to play the album in its entirety at a tribute show at The Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles. The performance was intended to be a one-off, but due to overwhelming success and reception, the group began touring the show 'Bizarre Ride Live', and, along with MC K-Natural, working on original music under the moniker The Bizarre Ride. In December of that year, The Pharcyde released the Amerigo Gazaway-produced "Still Got Love (Bizarre Tribe Megamix)" garnering significant praise. 2015 marked the twentieth anniversary of Labcabincalifornia, resulting in a similar tour through Europe and Japan. The group continued touring Europe through 2017.
If I Were President
The Pharcyde Lyrics
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If I were President, if I were President
I'd make sure all the money spent
On good things
I wouldn't have no lint in my pocket
I'd rock it rock it I'd shock it
I would not jock the fact that there are
And she needs new clothes and I need new sneakers
And that's all I know
If I were President, if I were President
If I were President, if I were President!
If I was President (What would you do?)
I would not carry, oh no spare change
I would just rearrange, the whole government structure
'Cause there seems to be something that's
Messing with the flucture of the money (What?)
It's not coming to me
So now it's time for me to tell my homey Jarod D
So I'm, looking at my wallet and I do not have a buck
Damn I'm out of luck, damn I'm feeling stuck
In The Pharcyde's song If I were President, the lyrics reflect on what the world would be like if the artist were the President. The song addresses social and economic issues from the perspective of someone who has experienced the struggles of living in a world where wealth inequality exists. The song is both a commentary on the current state of the world and a call to action for people to start being more conscious about their spending habits.
The artists discuss the importance of spending money on "good things" such as clothing, sneakers and other important things, but without neglecting the need to invest in other areas of the economy like education and healthcare. The lyrics also highlight the wealth discrepancies that exist in society and how they affect people's lives. The artists call for an overhaul in the current government structure.
Line by Line Meaning
If I were President, if I were President
The singer is imagining being the President of the country.
I'd make sure all the money spent
As President, the singer would ensure that all the money is being spent properly.
On good things
The singer wants to make sure the money is being used for positive things that will benefit the country.
I wouldn't have no lint in my pocket
The artist wants to eliminate poverty and make sure everyone has what they need.
I'd rock it rock it I'd shock it
The artist wants to make bold changes as President and be successful in doing so.
I would not jock the fact that there are
The singer acknowledges that there are wealthy people in the world, but this does not affect their desire to make positive changes.
Rich people in the world because yo I got a girl
The singer understands that everyone has their own needs, desires, and obligations.
And she needs new clothes and I need new sneakers
The artist has personal needs and desires, but they still prioritize the greater good of the country.
And that's all I know
The artist is aware of their own limitations in understanding everything that needs to be done as President.
If I was President (What would you do?)
The artist is asking the listener what they would do if they were the President.
I would not carry, oh no spare change
The singer would not be content with minor changes and would do whatever it takes to make significant improvements.
I would just rearrange, the whole government structure
The artist wants to make major changes to how the government operates and is structured.
'Cause there seems to be something that's
There is a problem with how the government and money are being handled and the singer wants to fix it.
Messing with the flucture of the money (What?)
The singer is referring to the fluctuation in the value of money and how it is being managed.
It's not coming to me
The singer does not understand why money is being mismanaged and wants to figure it out.
So now it's time for me to tell my homey Jarod D
The artist is seeking advice from someone they trust.
So I'm, looking at my wallet and I do not have a buck
The artist is experiencing financial hardship and frustration.
Damn I'm out of luck, damn I'm feeling stuck
The singer is feeling trapped and powerless in their current situation.
If I were President, if I were President
The singer reiterates their desire to be the President and make a positive change.
If I were President, if I were President!
The artist emphasizes their desire to be the President and make a positive change.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Buddy Kaye, Winston Sharples
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind