"Bizarre Ride II is the debut album from The Pharcyde. Released in late 1992 by Delicious Vinyl, the album was hailed by critics and alternative rap fans and appeared in "best albums" lists in several publications. Produced entirerly by J-Swift with easily some of the tightest and most inventive beats of the era, Bizarre Ride features only one guest appearance, provided by little known Los Angeles rapper Buckwheat (who would become known as "Bucwheed" from The Wascals). Released during the dominant Gangsta Rap era of the West Coast, the music 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. The album featured four singles, all of which were accompanied by music videos. The group's debut single, "Ya Mama", originally released in 1991, was the song that landed the group their record deal, but it failed to reach any Billboard singles chart. Their first major exposure came with the release of the album's second single, "Passing Me By". The song became the group's biggest crossover hit and is now considered a classic Hip Hop single. The album's third single, "4 Better or 4 Worse", was released in mid-1993 and featured the stoner song "Pack the Pipe" and the throwback track "Return of the B-Boy" as its B-Side. The final single, the SlimKid solo track "Otha Fish", was released in late 1993.
