After a live performance of their song "Ya Mama" for Delicious Vinyl record executives, The Pharcyde signed a record deal with the label. "Ya Mama" was released as their first single in 1991. The foursome, with producer J-Swift, recorded their first album Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde, released in November 1992. The album was highly acclaimed, and became one of the most praised and influential Alternative hip hop albums of the 1990s.

Sales were moderate-to-good and the album was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1996. Their second single "Passing Me By"' became a minor Billboard hit, peaking at #52 on the Hot 100. The song was later featured in the hit movie Big Daddy and was also a crossover Modern Rock hit. The song is now usually considered a golden-era staple and is the group's most well known song. Problems between the group and producer J-Swift began during the recording of the debut. J-Swift left the group before completion of the album [which is why the final recording, "Otha Fish"', is the only song not produced by J-Swift]. J-Swift started a crack habit, from which he is still trying to recover. After the Bizarre Ride album was released, the group began touring with A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul, culminating with an appearance at the Lollapalooza show in 1994. In 1995, The Pharcyde released their second album, Labcabincalifornia. The album received mixed reviews, due to a different musical direction from the light-hearted playfulness of their debut. The album included another big crossover hit, "Runnin'", peaking at #55 on the Billboard Hot 100. This single was later featured in the movie 8 Mile, as well as the More Music from 8 Mile soundtrack. Labcabincalifornia featured production from future super-producers Jay Dee and Diamond D. Album sales this time around did not fare as well, the group was not able to reach Gold status again. Problems grew between Fatlip and the other MCs after this album, resulting in his leaving the group. In a video interview with director Spike Jonze, featured on the bonus DVD from his solo album, Fatlip stated that he had started sniffing cocaine, the group tired of his actions and kicked him out. In the documentary 'Cydeways: The Best of The Pharcyde', while the group is performing in shows they still offer their support to Fatlip, telling the crowd that if they support Fatlip on his solo career then they support The Pharcyde and vice versa.

The group was largely missing from the Hip Hop scene between 1997 and 1999. The three remaining members returned in 2000 with an EP titled Chapter One: Testing The Waters. The group released a full studio album later in 2000 titled Plain Rap. The album had a luke-warm reception, critically and commercially. Soon after the release, member Slimkid3, now going by his birth name of Tre Hardson, left the group to pursue a solo career. In 2002, he released his first solo album titled "Liberation". In the music video for the song 'Trust' (featured on Plain Rap), the rest of the group's disdain for Fatlip's departure is evident as he is portrayed as a sad faced clown, being constantly attacked in the video. Slimkid3's animated self is shown to transform into a phoenix that flies away at the end of his verse, which can be interpreted to be more of an acceptance of his departure from the remaining two members. With only two members remaining, Bootie Brown and Imani continued with the group name and released an album in 2004, Humboldt Beginnings. The album received even less attention critically and commercially than their last effort. This album introduced 'Spaceboy Boogie X' as a new member and producer to the group. A Pharcyde compilation was released in 2005, titled Sold My Soul: The Remix & Rarity Collection, featuring a number of remixes and rare songs.