In 1996, Del was ready to release his Future Development album. However, just before its release, Del was released from his recording contract with Elektra Records. Around this same time, Souls of Mischief, Extra Prolific and Casual (all members of Del's Hieroglyphics group) were all released from their recording contracts with Jive Records. Frustrated, Del and the rest of Hieroglyphics decided to start their own record label, called Hieroglyphics Imperium. Because of the problems with Elektra, Future Development was available only on cassette via the Hieroglyphics website for a time, until its eventual widespread release on CD in 2002, six years after its proposed release date.
The mistreatment of Del & Hieroglyphics by their record labels became infamous in hip-hop circles, as a perfect example of "industry rule #4080" (record company people are shady). After Hieroglyphics' successful reemergence with their own independent label, Del & Hieroglyphics became an inspiration for some rap artists to start their own labels while keeping the lion's share of the money for themselves. Arguably the efforts of Del & Hieroglyphics paved the way for other famous independent rap labels known today, such as Roc-a-Fella Records or Rawkus Records.
In 1998, Hieroglyphics came out with their first full length album, Third Eye Vision, in which Del shined. The album was well received by both fans and critics. Two years later, Del came out with Both Sides of the Brain, and in 2001, he released Deltron 3030 with Dan the Automator Nakamura and Kid Koala, which garnered extreme praise for its combination of beats and flow and futuristic style. Deltron 3030 helped expand Del’s audience, though not quite to the commercial mainstream.
Del collaborated with Gorillaz for two songs on their debut album, both of which became singles: "Clint Eastwood" and "Rock the House". In their videos he was portrayed as a clown-like ghost. 2003 saw the release of Full Circle, a second album with the Hiero crew. This latest album has gotten many mixed reviews, with some people liking its originality and display of talents of the entire crew, whereas some have complained that Del was seen only sporadically on the album, acting more like a guest artist.
Del’s lyrics often reflect his imaginative interests, offering humor and themes not usually found in most new hip hop, including video games, bad hygiene, intergalactic rap battles, and more. In 2000, the song "Positive Contact" from Deltron 3030 was featured in the game Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX. In 2001, the song "If You Must" was featured in the game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3. In 2003, the song "Positive Contact" was again featured in a video game - this time in Tony Hawk's Underground. In 2005, the song "Burnt" featuring Hieroglyphics was featured in the game Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland. In 2006, his song "Catch a Bad One" was featured in the game Mark Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure.
Eight years following his last solo album, Both Sides of the Brain, in March 2008 Del released his newest solo, titled Eleventh Hour, under the Definitive Jux record label.
In 2009, Del released Del's Leak Pack #1 (download) & #2 (download) via his MySpace page. In April of 2009 he released his 6th solo album, Funk Man (The Stimulus Package). The album was released online and can be downloaded for free here. He also released a second new solo album, Automatic Statik, via his BandCamp site in September of 2009. October of 2009 saw the release of Del's collaboration with Tame One, entitled Parallel Uni-verses. In January of 2014, he dropped a free album titled Iller Than Most online. On April 20th 2018, Del and producer AMPLIVE collaborated for the entirety of their newest project, GATE 13
Last Hurrah
Del Tha Funkee Homosapien Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nowadays what ya'll kicking is just random at best The course of action trapped before the phantom express I never fail to impress like a shell in the chest I'm living well and I can tell that you're compelled to confess Now I'm linking up with Del to address How these fools posted up all in the wings and they ain't acting proper So we gots to swoop down like some Apache choppers Don't act like it's a game, nigga ask yo poppa Yo D we shaking up the town again And its not fatal but I'm able to flip just like laredos The blip cannot locate the flow sick with conversational Motivational mantras thats undebatable But on occasion it be fools that wanna blaze a tool They on the move and I know they don't approve of my ability to bend'em them with hostility intended When handgun's extended they like damn son ripped it Like quite wicked like getting kicked in the testicular Blow to the senses, hitting harder than vehicular manslaughter Leave a nigga laying perpendicular Jam harder than the whitest e.n.v distributor Nigga what Right now my patience at a minimum Fuck all these jaded critics leav'em faded off the synonyms Sideline niggas talkin bullshit about you Crews that'll doubt ya use KU kick it notches If you do insist to shout about a fool then how bout'cha bring itBut you know it won't improve upon your outcome You just too use to getting outdone J Malcolm reign down on you like malstrom I tried to keep it peace between us But you had to release the beast and it got beats in english So fuck the games that people play The way I make people pray nowadays people say
Del
I'ma ill man fill hands with green bills All seems chill till I see me some mean grills They must be senile or maybe just see nil Well we will vanquish the yankees with the faintest motions that they fin' to get some its dumb I spit some of this wickedest wisdom from Oakland Cali Ya'll slow pokes like broken athletes smoking cavi, agonyDon't get mad at me I got this locked into a science I like doing this its a self expression of aggression and defiance against you tyrants Who think my mind is trapped You snatch power u i'll devour you the same as I let a dame give me brain last You go against the grain get your frame smash over the rocks You get towed to the docks You know when it pop Know when to stop KU on Bay View to link up with D-E-L to the lay you Play you tunes, a terrorist with a verse Whenever risk is involved no need to twist a arm Nigga This the bomb what you want fist or palm Go get yo gat, you a bitch for that This a rap motherfucka I spit the facts That's all I need to twist your cap back End all be all, I see you free fall Ya need tall trying to play b-ball with these hogs Bottomless cosmos, osmosis, no focus los lobos Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum As the planets revolve around sun and don't ask how come It's like that and that's how it is, that's jam master jay and when he passed away That's the day the clocked stopped We just sit back and you watch fake niggas pop the talk you never walk We ain't upset, we don't see ya'll as a threat at all Reality undisputed? If you say it ain't so Then yo ass is stupid If the shoe fit quit jumping to conclusions, dummy
The lyrics of Del Tha Funkee Homosapien's song "Last Hurrah" address a couple of different issues. Most notably, it criticizes the laziness and lack of care in the modern hip-hop scene. The first verse sets this up, suggesting that much of what is being produced is "just random at best." By contrast, Del and KU (whoever that is) are "living well," and they're here to "shake up the town again." They're out to prove that they have something to say, and they're taking on all comers who would try to hold them back.
The second verse makes things a bit more personal, as Del singles out one particular detractor who has "released the beast" and gotten under his skin. He's not too worried about this person, though - in fact, he seems to relish the challenge. He's confident that he can take on anyone who comes his way, and he's not afraid to let everyone know it. Overall, "Last Hurrah" is a song about confidence, defiance, and the importance of staying true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Nowadays what ya'll kicking is just random at best
The music being produced nowadays is generally not very good.
The course of action trapped before the phantom express
Musical creativity is being stifled.
I never fail to impress like a shell in the chest
The singer is always impressing his audience.
I'm living well and I can tell that you're compelled to confess
The artist is doing well while others are not and are jealous.
Now I'm linking up with Del to address
The artist is working with Del to address a problem.
How these fools posted up all in the wings and they ain't acting proper
There are people in the way who are not behaving properly.
So we gots to swoop down like some Apache choppers
They need to act decisively like Apache helicopters.
Don't act like it's a game, nigga ask yo poppa
This is not a game, one needs to take it seriously.
Yo D we shaking up the town again
They are causing a stir in their community.
And its not fatal but I'm able to flip just like laredos
The situation is not life-threatening, but the artist can adapt quickly.
The blip cannot locate the flow sick with conversational
People are having trouble understanding the singer's flow.
Motivational mantras thats undebatable
The artist's positive messages are not up for debate.
But on occasion it be fools that wanna blaze a tool
There are people who want to cause violence.
They on the move and I know they don't approve of my ability to bend'em them with hostility intended
Those violent individuals don't like that the singer can confront them and shut them down.
When handgun's extended they like damn son ripped it
When a gun is pulled out, people are shocked.
Like quite wicked like getting kicked in the testicular
The artist's actions are very effective and painful to those who oppose him.
Blow to the senses, hitting harder than vehicular manslaughter
The artist's words hit hard and can have a greater impact than vehicular manslaughter.
Leave a nigga laying perpendicular
The singer has defeated the other person and they are lying on the ground.
Jam harder than the whitest e.n.v distributor
The singer's music jams harder than even the best music distributors.
Right now my patience at a minimum
The artist is running out of patience.
Fuck all these jaded critics leav'em faded off the synonyms
The artist doesn't care about the negative opinions of critics.
Sideline niggas talkin bullshit about you
People on the sidelines are talking nonsense about the artist.
Crews that'll doubt ya use KU kick it notches
Those who doubt the singer will be proven wrong.
If you do insist to shout about a fool then how bout'cha bring it
If someone wants to talk negatively about the artist, then they should confront him directly.
But you know it won't improve upon your outcome
Talking negatively about the singer won't do any good for the other person.
You just too use to getting outdone
The other person is used to losing.
J Malcolm reign down on you like malstrom
The singer will take action swiftly and fiercely against his opponent.
I tried to keep it peace between us
The artist tried to keep the situation calm.
But you had to release the beast and it got beats in english
The other person provoked the artist and now the artist has unleashed his full force.
So fuck the games that people play
The singer does not like the games people play.
The way I make people pray nowadays people say
People are impressed by the singer's music and it makes them feel good.
I'ma ill man fill hands with green bills
The artist is successful and has a lot of money.
All seems chill till I see me some mean grills
Everything is fine until the artist sees some mean-looking people.
They must be senile or maybe just see nil
Those mean-looking people must be crazy or stupid.
Well we will vanquish the yankees with the faintest motions that they fin' to get some its dumb
The singer will defeat his opponents easily.
I spit some of this wickedest wisdom from Oakland Cali
The artist is sharing his knowledge and experience from his hometown of Oakland.
Ya'll slow pokes like broken athletes smoking cavi, agony
The other people are not as good as the singer and are causing frustration.
Don't get mad at me I got this locked into a science
The singer is very skilled and has everything under control.
I like doing this its a self expression of aggression and defiance against you tyrants
The singer enjoys making music as a form of self-expression and rebellion against authority figures.
Who think my mind is trapped
Some people think the artist is not capable of creative thinking.
You snatch power u i'll devour you the same as I let a dame give me brain last
The artist is very powerful and can take control easily, as he did with a woman.
You go against the grain get your frame smash over the rocks
If someone opposes the singer, they will be defeated and humiliated.
You get towed to the docks
The other person will be taken down and defeated.
You know when it pop
You know when things get violent.
Know when to stop
It's important to know when to stop before things escalate.
KU on Bay View to link up with D-E-L to the lay you
The two artists are collaborating to create music for their fans.
Play you tunes, a terrorist with a verse
The singer is very powerful with his music and can make a big impact.
Whenever risk is involved no need to twist a arm Nigga
The artist is confident and doesn't need to be convinced to take risks.
This the bomb what you want fist or palm
The singer is ready for a fight if necessary.
Go get yo gat, you a bitch for that
The other person is weak for needing a gun.
This a rap motherfucka I spit the facts
The singer is a rapper who speaks the truth in his music.
That's all I need to twist your cap back
The artist can take control of the situation with his words alone.
End all be all, I see you free fall
The artist has taken control and the other person is now losing.
Ya need tall trying to play b-ball with these hogs
The other person is out of their league and can't compete with the singer.
Bottomless cosmos, osmosis, no focus los lobos
The singer's music is deep and complex while others lack focus and skill.
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum
A reference to the pirate-themed book 'Treasure Island'.
As the planets revolve around sun and don't ask how come
Things happen for a reason that we can't always explain.
It's like that and that's how it is, that's jam master jay and when he passed away
A reference to Jam Master Jay and the reality of life and death.
That's the day the clocked stopped
The day Jam Master Jay died was a turning point.
We just sit back and you watch fake niggas pop the talk you never walk
Others talk the talk, but don't walk the walk.
We ain't upset, we don't see ya'll as a threat at all
The singer is not worried about the other person or their opinions.
If you say it ain't so Then yo ass is stupid
The other person is wrong if they deny the truth of the singer's words.
If the shoe fit quit jumping to conclusions, dummy
Don't assume the worst without evidence.
Contributed by Stella G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
futchofdeth666
KU absolutely kills it on this track!!! I've been a Del fan since 98 he's always killin' it but.... KU deffinitly got him on this one!!!
Vicente Benavides
this was the song on repeat at the skate park for a good year
IggyDala76
I heard this on the radio, this song is dope as hell
dr3dg3
High school was so much more enjoyable with this track!
Surge Álvarez
oh hell yeah, this is tight !
TheClockblocker
Best song on the album.
Barlow Anthony
Van Gough and Ku killin shit again....pure Babboon Behavior...one luv from Yapos!!!!!!!
RealHipHop1993
Dope!!
Bernard Kines
I slept on this... True hip hop
Justin Vik
I wish I could exist in this song