Photo: Helioprmedia · Public domain · credits
Tier 3 · vertical & regional
Evidence
Person · male · United States · Los Angeles · born 1976 · recording since 2001
American MC, producer, and member of the rap group Dilated Peoples
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Also known as Evidence · Michael Peretta · Michael Taylor Perretta · 证据
Timeline
16 events▣ Album 14◦ Birth 1★ Debut release 1
1970s
2000s
· Debut release
Debut release: Searching 4 Bobby Fisher
First documented Single in the MusicBrainz discography.
source: musicbrainz
2010s
2020s
Biography
English biography314 words · 4 sectionssource: wikipedia-en · licence CC BY-SA 4.0 · revision 1376467681
Biography
Michael Taylor Perretta (born December 10, 1976), known professionally as Evidence, is an American rapper and record producer from Venice, Los Angeles, California. He is also a member of the group Dilated Peoples, as well as being one-half of Step Brothers with the Alchemist. Evidence was included in the nomination for a Grammy Award for Album of the Year because of his production work on the Kanye West debut album The College Dropout.
Early life
Evidence was born Michael Perretta on December 10, 1976, in Venice, Los Angeles, California, to Louis Michael Perretta, an Italian American, and actress Jana Taylor, who appeared in American television shows in the 1960s and 1970s. Growing up he lived next to the studio of Quincy Jones III. He learned music production there.
Dilated Peoples
With Rakaa and DJ Babu he formed Dilated Peoples, releasing their first single "Third Degree" in 1997 via ABB Records and their debut studio album The Platform in 2000.
Solo work
On March 20, 2007, Evidence released his first solo album The Weatherman LP
The Weatherman LPSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 21 tracks1I Know3:532Weather Report 10:343Mr. Slow Flow4:034Letyourselfgo3:235Down in New York City4:326A Moment in Time4:487Look for the Evidence (interlude)0:268All Said & Done4:419Weather Report 20:3210Perfect Storm4:5011Chase the Clouds Away3:5912NC to CA4:3313Evidence Is Everything2:3214Things You Do3:2415Biggest Belgium Fan (interlude)0:4316Hot & Cold4:2517Line of Scrimmage4:3318Believe in Me4:3919Born in LA4:3520Weather Report 30:3821I Still Love You3:44. It held production contributions from the Alchemist, Sid Roams (producers Joey Chavez and Tavish "Bravo" Graham), Jake One, DJ Babu, DJ Khalil, and Evidence himself.
On July 17, 2009, it was announced that Evidence had signed a deal with Minneapolis-based hip-hop label Rhymesayers Entertainment, with a YouTube video showing Evidence signing the contract to release his next album.
Evidence's second studio album, Cats & Dogs
Cats & DogsSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 17 tracks1The Liner Notes2:272Strangers4:093The Red Carpet4:454It Wasn't Me3:265I Don't Need Love3:006You4:187God Bless That Man0:508Fame4:099James Hendrix3:3810Late for the Sky5:3711Crash2:4212Where You Come From?4:3413...0:0414To Be Continued...3:1315Falling Down4:1516Well Runs Dry4:4217The Epilogue3:10, was released on September 27, 2011. The album charted at number 64 on the Billboard 200. The album won 2011 HHUG Best Album of the Year.
Evidence's third solo album, Weather or Not
Weather or NotSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1The Factory2:582Throw It All Away2:573Powder Cocaine2:564Jim Dean4:025Weather or Not4:046Moving Too Fast1:327Runners3:268Bad Publicity4:189Rain Drops3:1510Sell Me This Pen3:5411Love Is a Funny Thing4:451210,000 Hours2:5113What I Need3:5414To Make a Long Story Longer4:1215Wonderful World3:3516By My Side Too2:43, was released on January 26, 2018. It debuted at number 187 on the Billboard 200. It covers his personal life in great detail, including the birth of his first son and his partner's battle with breast cancer.
In 2021, Evidence released his fourth studio album UnlearningUnlearningSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Unlearning2:56 Vol. 1.
Discography & profile
Normalised profile
Percentiles are computed over every artist in the database, so a tier-3 artist can still sit in the 95th percentile on a single axis.
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 9 | 54.3th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | — | no data |
| Release groups in DB | 28 | 89.8th |
| Studio albums | 14 | 94th |
| Awards recorded | 0 | 0th |
| Timeline events | 16 | 91.8th |
| Recording span (years) | 25 | 55.9th |
| Genres | 5 | 88.3th |
Percentiles are computed at render time; missing values mean the artist has no data on that axis.
Discography (28 release groups · 14 studio albums)
Albums · 14
2005 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 13 tracks · 30:08
1To the Top1:402Los Angelinos2:123Hold You Down (KDAY version)3:584For the Record3:4654th of July3:106Dark Clouds1:097Get Dead2:348Off Top2:019G's Like Us2:2510Look 4 the Evidence (interlude)0:2911Peace & Gangsta2:4612Strength in Numbers2:2513Medicine1:332006 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 8 tracks · 32:37
1Mr. Slow Flow (clean)4:092Mr. Slow Flow (explicit)4:093Mr. Slow Flow (instrumental)4:074Mr. Slow Flow (a cappella)5:045Hot & Cold (clean)4:316Hot & Cold (explicit)4:317Hot & Cold (instrumental)4:258Hot & Cold (a cappella - 1st Verse)1:412007 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 21 tracks · 1:09:27
1I Know3:532Weather Report 10:343Mr. Slow Flow4:034Letyourselfgo3:235Down in New York City4:326A Moment in Time4:487Look for the Evidence (interlude)0:268All Said & Done4:419Weather Report 20:3210Perfect Storm4:5011Chase the Clouds Away3:5912NC to CA4:3313Evidence Is Everything2:3214Things You Do3:2415Biggest Belgium Fan (interlude)0:4316Hot & Cold4:2517Line of Scrimmage4:3318Believe in Me4:3919Born in LA4:3520Weather Report 30:3821I Still Love You3:442008 · Mixtape/Street
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 20 tracks
1The Layover2Worldwide EV3Free P4Tip The Scale5Recognize6Beautiful Day7Beats Like This8Let Yourself Go (Remix)9Calmly Smoke10Hits From The Bong 200811Hush Now12One SHot13All Said & Done (Remix)14For Whatever It's Worth15Half Off16Celeb Reality17Bigger Dreams18For Whom The Bell Tolls19Hot & Code (Remix)20The Last Shall Be The First (Dilated Peoples)2011 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 17 tracks · 58:59
1The Liner Notes2:272Strangers4:093The Red Carpet4:454It Wasn't Me3:265I Don't Need Love3:006You4:187God Bless That Man0:508Fame4:099James Hendrix3:3810Late for the Sky5:3711Crash2:4212Where You Come From?4:3413...0:0414To Be Continued...3:1315Falling Down4:1516Well Runs Dry4:4217The Epilogue3:10Cats & Dogs (instrumental version)
2011 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 17 tracks · 59:06
1The Liner Notes (instrumental)2:272Strangers (instrumental)4:103The Red Carpet (instrumental)4:464It Wasn't Me (instrumental)3:275I Don't Need Love (instrumental)3:006You (instrumental)4:187God Bless That Man0:508Fame (instrumental)4:099James Hendrix (StepBrothers) (instrumental)3:3910Late For The Sky (instrumental)5:3811Crash (instrumental)2:4212Where You Come From? (instrumental)4:3513...0:0414To Be Continued... (instrumental)3:1315Falling Down (instrumental)4:1616Well Runs Dry (instrumental)4:4217The Epilogue (instrumental)3:102018 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 16 tracks · 55:22
1The Factory2:582Throw It All Away2:573Powder Cocaine2:564Jim Dean4:025Weather or Not4:046Moving Too Fast1:327Runners3:268Bad Publicity4:189Rain Drops3:1510Sell Me This Pen3:5411Love Is a Funny Thing4:451210,000 Hours2:5113What I Need3:5414To Make a Long Story Longer4:1215Wonderful World3:3516By My Side Too2:43Squirrel Tape Instrumentals, Vol. 1
2019 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 26 tracks · 35:34
1Real Diamonds 937061:202Barcelona1:493Trunk Rattle1:344Reset Button1:205Speaker Cabinet1:196Point a to Point B1:017More Coffee1:258Train Tracks1:209Mach1:0810Old ASR1:2411Layer Cake1:2012Pocket Full of Empty1:0413Soviet1:091419981:0915Italian Horror Story0:5816G Shock1:2617Shark Tank1:1518Don't Change Squirrel1:1519Water Torture1:1120Eligh1:0421Chicago1:4222Composer1:2823No More Photos1:3624Hypnosis0:5825Tuff Gong1:2126If You Said Goodbye2:582021 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 14 tracks · 42:13
1Better You3:012Start the Day With a Beat1:563Sharks Smell Blood3:074Pardon Me3:185All of That Said3:096Won’t Give Up the Danger2:397Moving On Up5:048Talking to the Audience1:259All Money 19833:1710Pray With an A2:4011Lost in Time (Park Jams)3:1312Delay the Issue3:1413Taylor Made Suit2:5914Where We Going From Here…3:11Squirrel Tape Instrumentals, Vol. 2
2021 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 26 tracks · 37:10
1New Lead1:352Bogota1:393Loose Change1:184ASRTEN1:405Two Crates1:156Quebec1:287Sunday Squirrel0:498Tammy1:449Hymnal1:3010Under the Ground1:0611Own No Loops1:0312Peaceful Place1:1013The Woods1:3414Horizon1:3915Bilingual1:2616From the Mud1:1317Drawbridge1:2318Flying Squirrels1:1819One Two1:0220Earth on Hell0:4421Mac Mill1:1622Bay2:1523The Legend of Conway1:5624Shooting Film2:0225Holy Umbrella1:2526B Room1:40Squirrel Tape Instrumentals, Vol. 3
2024 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 26 tracks · 37:30
1Busy1:402Home1:093Seed1:184Sing1:155String1:046Yesterday1:507Delay1:408Separated1:239Flashback1:3510Takeover1:1711Three1:3812Glare1:2813Town1:1314Late1:3815Repeat1:0416Chase1:2717Slang1:1818Cloud2:1319Shroom0:5420Rehearse1:0121Cleveland1:0522Language1:1123Post1:3724Value1:3625Amnesia1:4426Over2:122025 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 15 tracks · 37:01
1Plans Change2:152Different Phases1:523Future Memories2:374Outta Bounds2:155Seeing Double3:246Nothing to See Here2:147Define Success1:398Stay Alive2:329Nothing’s Perfect1:3510Favorite Injury2:4811Top Seeded2:2912Greatest Motivation3:0613Rain Every Season2:5814Laughing Last2:3015Dutch Angle2:472026 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 9 tracks · 23:20
1Last Day1:342Dr. Scholl's2:383Ventilation2:214Karachi2:585Pinto2:546Roy2:317Two Left Feet3:168Rio3:049Green Room2:042026 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 10 tracks · 20:38
1Street Racing1:472Overdrive1:313Akinyele1:414You Name It2:345Doubletree1:596Lighthouse2:237Derryclare2:118Muscle Memory1:599Nina Sky1:56101st & 3rd2:37
Single · 7
| Cover | Year | Title | Notes | First release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Searching 4 Bobby FisherSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 4 tracks · 11:50A1Searching 4 Bobby Fisher3:07 A2Searching 4 Bobby Fisher (clean)3:07 B1Searching 4 Bobby Fisher (instrumental)2:48 B2Searching 4 Bobby Fisher (a cappella)2:48 | 2001 | ||
| 2010 | To Be Continued...Search SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 4 tracks · 12:431To Be Continued...3:13 2To Be Continued... (clean)3:14 3To Be Continued... (instrumental)3:13 4To Be Continued... (a cappella)3:03 | 17 August 2010 | ||
| 2017 | Throw It All AwaySearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:071Throw It All Away3:07 | 5 April 2017 | ||
| 2017 | Jim DeanSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 4:021Jim Dean4:02 | 16 November 2017 | ||
| 2018 | 10,000 HoursSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 2:52110,000 Hours2:52 | 11 January 2018 | ||
| 2020 | UnlearningSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 2:561Unlearning2:56 | 31 March 2020 | ||
| 2025 | Nothing To See HereSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 2:141Nothing to See Here2:14 | 6 June 2025 |
Album · 4
| Cover | Year | Title | Notes | First release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Yellow Tape InstrumentalsSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 13 tracks · 40:431Dog Town3:05 2Strong2:42 33603:58 4Alive & Well3:21 5Deeerty4:19 6Rain1:57 7Ragtime4:35 8Three2:44 9S.H.H.H.H.2:11 10Evolve2:50 11Operate3:23 12Fuego2:33 13Slow Roll3:05 | Compilation | 6 April 2004 | |
| 2007 | Red Tape InstrumentalsSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 17 tracks · 45:331Hustle On2:24 2The Bop1:52 3Street Lights3:00 4The Vacation2:58 5Hourglass1:49 6The 7th Letter3:19 7Meditation2:28 8713 Palms2:47 9Amsterdam1:54 10Southwest2:25 11Stadium1:50 12Word of Mouth2:35 13Peace 1st4:30 14Ghostwriter2:34 15USSR3:09 16Travel Plans1:50 17Speed4:09 | Compilation | 5 June 2007 | |
| 2008 | The Purple Tape InstrumentalsSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 20 tracks · 49:401Take U Back2:25 2Pest2:13 3Lost Cause3:26 4I’m Like2:24 5My Way 902913:28 6Uh Oh2:19 7Shoot 1st1:31 84211:30 9Breakout1:29 10Space Gorilla2:41 11On Top1:39 12Darker Clouds1:37 13Ev’ n’ Al2:41 14Bubbler2:05 15Stomp3:26 16RTD3:42 17Hour Glass3:03 18Memories2:47 19Stockholm1:28 20Wake Up3:46 | Compilation | 9 December 2008 | |
| 2013 | Green Tape InstrumentalsSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 20 tracks · 37:101Self Taught2:38 2Killer Bees2:08 3Run It Back1:40 4Waste of Time2:22 5Roc Germany2:05 6West Coasting1:23 7F Train2:24 83 Murals2:29 9First Light1:27 10Braille1:32 11Break!1:08 12India1:54 13His Country1:19 14Before Tour2:34 15Scrolling1:46 16Synth Moments2:40 17Good Evening1:35 18Mariachi1:43 19Bong1:14 20Scary Clown Music1:09 | Compilation | 25 June 2013 |
EP · 3
| Cover | Year | Title | Notes | First release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | The Layover EPSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 10 tracks · 34:381The Layover2:59 2For Whom the Bell Tolls4:25 3So Fresh3:57 4Solitary Confinement2:59 5Don't Hate3:54 6My Favorite Part of Traveling (interlude)1:21 7The Far Left3:36 8Rain or Shine3:24 9To Be Determined4:10 10The Cold Weather3:53 | 25 November 2008 | ||
| 2010 | I Don't Need LoveSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 9 tracks · 38:341Because3:50 2Let the Beat Flip4:34 3Can't Be Found3:02 4Lines of Cocaine3:09 5The World3:32 6Frame of Mind3:53 7Egg Men3:11 8If They Only Knew3:56 9Think'n Bout Thinking9:27 | 10 December 2010 | ||
| 2023 | 4 SongsSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 4 tracks · 11:021Get the Point2:08 2Consist2:47 3A Choosen Path3:11 4Snowstorm2:56 | 3 July 2023 |
Stats & PK
Percentile within all 23,672 published artists.Put Evidence head-to-head →
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 9 | 54.3th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | — | no data |
| Release groups in DB | 28 | 89.8th |
| Studio albums | 14 | 94th |
| Awards recorded | 0 | 0th |
| Timeline events | 16 | 91.8th |
| Recording span (years) | 25 | 55.9th |
| Genres | 5 | 88.3th |
Awards & honours
Line-up
| Name | From | To | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dilated Peoples(band) | — | present | |
| Soul Assassins(band) | — | present | |
| The S.T.O.P. Movement(band) | — | present | |
| Step Brothers(band) | 2008 | present |
Where this record comes from
portrait—Wikimedia Commons · Public domain · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Evidence_of_Dilated_Peoples_2006.jpgaliases/urls—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/995c1ef8-5a55-40dc-b87f-f4a0ee95650bdiscography—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/995c1ef8-5a55-40dc-b87f-f4a0ee95650bcore—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1237694genre—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1237694seed-list—wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evidence_%28musician%29biography—wikipedia-en · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evidence_%28musician%29
Why this artist is in the database
- List of hip-hop musicians
Tier rule: curated genre/region list
Image: Helioprmedia · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Wikidata: Q1237694 · MusicBrainz: 995c1ef8-5a55-40dc-b87f-f4a0ee95650b
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