Di·la·ted: adjective, 15th century: Expanded normally or abnormally in all dimensions Coasting down Los Angeles’ 405 highway, Rakaa Iriscience, one-third of world-renowned hip-hop crew Dilated Peoples, is on his way to the studio to lay down mixes for his upcoming solo album Crown of Thorns (Decon), his debut after four albums with his group and countless guest spots. Ask him if this means the end of Dilated, or even the euphemistic “on hiatus”, and the response is swift and resolute. “Definitely not,” says the rapper. “We were always solo artists that came together and The Platform [the group's storied 2000 debut] was our common denominator. Solo projects have always been a major part of our plan. This isn’t anything that should catch anyone that’s followed us by surprise. We’ve been hinting at this for a while and if anything, it’s just that my project is very late. In fact, Evidence and Babu produced the singles that have just started to bubble.” Featuring guest appearances and production by fellow members Evidence and DJ Babu, Crown of Thorns represents less a departure than a continuation of the group’s goals since first joining forces in 1992. As Rakaa puts it, “This is just another piece of the puzzle that makes the picture that much more complete.”