June 20, 2025
The Pharcyde
Hollywood Theatre, Vancouver
Presented by Timbre Concerts
Words: John Zee – @johnzee23
Photos: Ronan Considine – @soundflashphotography
The Pharcyde, hailing from South Central Los Angeles, recently played back-to-back shows in Vancouver at the Hollywood Theatre—a venue that’s become a go-to in recent years for hosting legendary hip hop acts like Souls of Mischief, Slick Rick, and GZA of Wu-Tang Clan.
Three out of the four original members were in the building, and to most people’s surprise, the missing link wasn’t Fatlip—it was Bootie Brown (pause!). I say that in jest, only because over the years Fatlip has often played the role of the group’s wildcard—the ODB of The Pharcyde, if you will. That said, this felt like a reunion of sorts, with Slimkid3, Imani, and yes, Fatlip all taking the stage together—a feat in and of itself, considering the group has largely performed separately since their short-lived four-member reunion back in 2008.
The Pharcyde ran through their catalog of underground classics like “Drop,” “Ya Mama,” “I’m That Type of…,” and “Oh Shit.” A personal highlight came when they performed “She Said,” with Slimkid3 taking center stage and delivering those soulful melodies that make the track such a timeless Pharcyde gem.
The crowd was incredibly eclectic—ranging from 40-something hip hop heads to hippy jazz cats, MCs, DJs, and everyone in between. The age range and energy created an atmosphere that felt both interactive and deeply reciprocal from start to finish.
Of course, no Pharcyde show would be complete without “Passin’ Me By,” which turned into a full-on crowd singalong, with Fatlip leading the way and the entire venue acting as his backup choir. They closed out the night with the J Dilla (RIP)–produced classic “Runnin’,” which hit hard and had everyone in their nostalgic feels, reciting every bar word for word.
Salute to (most of) The Pharcyde for setting aside creative, personal, and business differences to deliver a truly memorable night for the fans. In a world where classic hip hop reunions often fall flat or feel forced, this one felt genuine. The chemistry, the energy, and the love for the music were all still there—and so were we, the fans, holding onto the soundtrack of our youth while celebrating its continued evolution.
