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Evidence
Birth name	Michael Perretta
Also known as	Mr. Slow Flow, Ev, The Weatherman
Born	December 10, 1976 (1976-12-10) (age 30)
Origin	Venice Beach, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genre(s)	Hip hop
Occupation(s)	Rapping Producing
Instrument(s)	Vocals, Pro Tools
Years active	1992 — present
Label(s)	Capitol
Associated acts	Dilated Peoples The Alchemist Planet Asia DJ Khalil
Website	[1]

Michael Perretta, better known as Evidence, (born December 10, 1976) is an American hip hop artist, producer, and member of the rap group Dilated Peoples. Evidence is a native of Venice in Los Angeles, California and was born to an Italian-American/Puerto Rican-American father and a Russian-American mother. Additionally, before becoming a rapper and producer, Evidence was a well known graffiti artist.

Contents 1 Biography 1.1 Youth 1.2 Dilated Peoples 1.3 Solo 1.3.1 The Weatherman LP 2 Albums Released with Dilated Peoples 3 Solo Albums 4 External links

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"Raised in Santa Monica til' the divorce/six years old/I couldn't see what was coming of course/the plan/ Mom bounced on Old Man/ then we moved to the Venice sand/ A young youth seen gangs first hand/ fake address for school/ two educations/ rich friends then back to my land."- "Born in LA" - Evidence

Evidence's affinity with hip-hop and the culture began in the early eighties, with his parent's divorce and subsequent move from the affluent city of Santa Monica to neighboring Venice Beach. Raised by his single mother with his father less and less in the picture, Evidence took solace in his new backyard where his favorite pastimes became break-dancing at the former Venice Pavilion and skate-boarding with the legendary Venice Z-Boys.

By the early nineties and in addition to becoming a well known graffiti artist, painting hip hop inspired hieroglyphics under the name "VANE," a fateful move next door to QD3, son of legendary producer Quincy Jones, Evidence discovered his true calling. QD3, an accomplished West Coast producer, ("To Live and Die in L.A."- Tupac, "Ghetto Bird"-Ice Cube, "I got the Knack"- Everlast) became one of Evidence's major influences in his pursuit to create music. "At night I would hear a loud thumping coming from the back yard next door and it wouldn't stop until early in the morning” says Evidence recalling those early days. “I could tell that they weren't just playing music but sounded like music was being created.”

Shortly after meeting QD3, Evidence teamed with the likeminded Rakaa to form the highly praised group Dilated Peoples and after the success of their 1997 single "Third Degree" b/w "Confidence" and "Global Dynamics" on ABB Records – and the addition of DJ Babu to the fold a year later -- the group’s buzz exploded out of the underground and quickly became a fixture on the hip hop tour circuit. They hoped their success would serve as a platform for solo projects, much as the Wu-Tang Clan's success had done before them.

Four critically acclaimed albums, countless performances around the globe, and outside production work-including tracks for the Beastie Boys, Linkin Park, Swollen Members, Defari, Planet Asia and co- production on Kanye West's debut album College Dropout which earned him a Grammy, Evidence gives his fans a spectacular taste of his own individual talent on his debut solo album The Weatherman LP (ABB Records).

Evidence also made a track directed at Eminem called "Search 4 Bobby Fisher" during their little feud.

Through his work as one-third of Dilated Peoples, Evidence became a torchbearer and champion of hip-hop culture. "This is for people who get what I do,” says Evidence. "If I'm going to come out independently and have the freedom to do what I want, there's no better way to represent. I want to be a leader and carve out a new path."

The Weatherman LP erases the misconception that it never rains in Southern California, as Evidence's reign over the rap world is imminent. With production from The Alchemist, Sid Roams (producers Joey Chavez and Bravo), Jake One, DJ Babu, DJ Khalil, and Evidence himself, the high-powered collection boasts brilliant beats that perfectly complement Evidence's impressive lyrical scope.

One of the most powerful songs on the album is "Believe in Me" featuring Res ("They Say Vision," "Golden Boys"). "I think people can tell when an artist isn't confident in themselves and on this song I let the audience know I have something to say and I am going to stand behind it. When you come and see me on stage I am going to look you in the eyes and make that connection, I want the audience to know that I am ready to take the responsibility of being a leader, something they can believe in."

Evidence displays innovative layers of his artistry on the revealing "I Still Love You" and "Chase The Clouds Away;" both tributes to his mother, who succumbed to cancer more than two years ago. She was the inspiration behind both songs and Evidence's life. At the highest point in Dilated's career, with a hit single "This Way" and on tour with Kanye West to support the 2004 release of Neighborhood Watch, Evidence received a phone call that would change his life forever. He left the tour immediately and his mother's sudden death two weeks later propelled him into a depressive state that made him seriously contemplate his career. Writing and performing "I Still Love You" was emotionally challenging for Evidence, a single child whose mother was his best friend and confidante. "I produced it, I rapped on it and I recorded it by myself with nobody in the room because I couldn't have anybody around when I was doing it," he explains. "It's the one time you're definitely going to get all of me."

Evidence constructed "Chase The Clouds Away" after coming out of the disheartened state he fell into after his mother passed. "When my parent's got divorced my mother began taking pictures of me and realized she had a talent...I saw her make something out of nothing. She turned her talent for taking pictures into a career and that is what I ended up doing in a way by making music and rapping in my bedroom then taking that product around the world to become my profession."

With the release of The Weatherman LP, Evidence will continue to build upon a new brand fueled by his re-inspired work ethic. "I am not relying on the success of Dilated Peoples to push this album, while they are featured on it and heavily co-signing my solo venture I understand that I am going to have to work twice as hard and get back in front of the people and re-introduce myself through shows, my music, and constant day-to-day networking with my fans. I am not married; I don't have kids, so I can stay on the road all year long if that is what it takes…so at the end of the day what I put in is what I get out and it will all be a reflection of me, Evidence."

Album cover	Album information
	The Platform Released: May 23, 2000 Label: Capitol Chart positions: N/A RIAA certification: N/A Singles: The Platform, Annahilation, Shape Of Things, Guarenteed
	Expansion Team Released: October 23, 2001 Label: Capitol Chart positions: N/A RIAA certification: N/A Singles: Clockwork, Live On Stage, Heavy Rotation, Self Defense
	Neighborhood Watch Released: April 6, 2004 Label: Capitol Chart positions: N/A RIAA certification: N/A Singles: This Way, Love And War, Reach Us, Poisonous, Whos Who
	20/20 Released: February 21, 2006 Label: Capitol Chart positions: N/A RIAA certification: N/A Singles: Back Again, You Can't Hide, You Can't Run, Kindness For Weakness, The Eyes Have It, 20/20

Album cover	Album information
	The Weatherman LP Released: March 20, 2007 Label: ABB Chart positions: N/A RIAA certification: N/A Singles: Mr. Slow Flow, Hot & Cold

• Interview with Evidence @ Format Mag

• http://www.qd3.com

(QD3's official website/broadband channel - qd3tv)