The Perceptionists are (left to right) Mr. Lif, Akrobatik, and DJ Fakts One. (Globe Staff Photo / Dominic Chavez)

When it was announced that Mr. Lif, Akrobatik, and DJ Fakts One were putting their successful solo careers on hold to form the Perceptionists, the question wasn't why as much as why did it take so long. After all, they'd performed with one another for years, onstage and on one another's CDs, so it only made sense for them to make official what had come naturally.

"People have always said we have good chemistry onstage, so we made a plan to make a record together," Mr. Lif (left) says. "I'm at a point where I'm kind of sick of making solo records, and I wanted the energy of being in a group. Luckily, everyone else was in the same mood."

During a December show at the Paradise, they performed with the panache and polish of a seasoned group, but without the cynical weariness. Their music is bold and thought-provoking, but never at the expense of getting the party started. Their enthusiasm made clear what members have said all along -- the Perceptionists is not a one-off or a side project between solo efforts.

"For everyone in the group, this is our priority right now," Fakts One (right) says. "We're all successful, and we're constantly jumping from one project to the next, but in any project we do, we give it our all, and we're committed to this group."

With their first album, "Black Dialogue," scheduled for a March 22 release, the group's members are already thinking about hitting the road -- not that they've ever spent much time at home.

"We've made an album geared toward live performance, and we want to do 200 shows worldwide with this record," Mr. Lif says. "With every record we want to be able to do things we haven't done and reach parts of the world where we haven't been."

LENGTH OF TIME PLAYING TOGETHER: Since 2004. MUSICAL INFLUENCES: Public Enemy, Eric B. & Rakim. "All the artists from that golden era who really brought the music to life," Mr. Lif says. WHO THEY THINK THEY SOUND LIKE: "You know, I'm not really good at that," Mr. Lif says. "I'd rather people listen to our music, tell us what they think of it, and then I'll store that in my memory bank." THEY'LL KNOW THEY'VE MADE IT WHEN: "Record sales are important, and we'd like to have sales that far exceed anything we've enjoyed as solo artists." QUIRKY FACT ABOUT THE BAND: "We really get along. The three of us are best friends, and that's what makes it work."

- RENE GRAHAM