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 Delβs 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.
Delβs 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 Hawkβs 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
Upgrade
Del Tha Funkee Homosapien Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We can get you prepared for the 31st century
With advanced programming and quad rendering
And Java plus plus plus scripting language
We offer advanced job placement assistance
So upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
Comin from the outer regions of the universe
Deltron Zero and Automator
Check it
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
Hey time for you to upgrade, fuck save, time to load
All my rhymes is sold
And find your own
Salivate over what I collaborate
With high tech wizardry
And breathe new life into the industry
Save to the hard drive for the archives
Three thousand thirty with a global apartheid
Sensitivity ain't the energy
Brain chemically contorted
With the coordinates to your ordinance
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
Yo, your recovery's slow
My dual input
Plus my modem
The tools in foot
Long songs instrumental digital projector professor
I'll school you on the art and how it's texture mapped
Get your act together, my style is mega
Educate the heads of eight lonely beggars
Only shred of evidence is the virtual file
Stored within the cerebellum hit you Berkowitz style
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
My defense capabilities with ape agilitiy
Take possibilities to the point of sense and shatter it
Commence the babbling I'm meditatin' on a homosapien
With no education I'm 3D acceleration
My programmin' language is the strangest
To come to grips with mechanized mischief
Kicks it off with circular projectiles X-Files
Herald as the most important dwarf the corporates
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
Hey, I reduce the game
When I boost my brain
What you used to sayin
I loosen the frame
With shock announcements
T-Minus and countin'
Effects control and bouncin'
Star studded and flooded like fountains
A new machine
Real artists are few between
You better lube your screen
My renders are splendor
Three sixty reflecting quickly
Increase your disk speed
So you can,
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
My production model is the stuff to boggle minds
You got a logon time of exactly thirty-six nanoseconds
Ambidextrious with ambience
Watch the cannons twist while I lockout my hardware
Word warfare logistically locate and process
With psychotropics to optimize my profits
Envelop you with development kits that help me
To embellish the elements dynamic and too intelligent
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
Lookie here, as soon as I release the chip
You cease the rips and not
Since you want to top this reach to it
Digital retouch, reconstruct a whole conglomerate
With our armaments we use with tolerance
Such as a G-Bomb, cyborg with 3 arms
Translate the ancient language with a brain dish
Micro machines polystrene conducting electrons
Deltron strengthen with molecular bonds
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
Uuhaaaa...uh
The lyrics of Del Tha Funkee Homosapien's song "Upgrade" are about the importance of education in the technological age. The opening lines refer to Brymar College, a fictional institution that offers advanced programming courses and job placement assistance. The song encourages listeners to "upgrade" their "grey matter," referring to their brain power or intelligence, because one day it may matter. The rest of the song is full of technical terms and references to futuristic technology, including "quad rendering," "Java plus plus plus scripting language," and "3D acceleration."
The song suggests that those who do not upgrade their skills and knowledge may be left behind in an increasingly technological society. The lyrics also imply that the singer has already upgraded their own abilities, boasting of their "high tech wizardry" and "defense capabilities with ape agility." As with much of Del's music, the song is laced with playful wordplay and references to popular culture, such as the phrase "Berkowitz style" (a reference to the infamous serial killer David Berkowitz).
Line by Line Meaning
Here at Brymar College
The singer is referring to Brymar College, an educational institution that can prepare individuals for the future.
We can get you prepared for the 31st century
Brymar College can provide its students with the necessary knowledge and skills to prepare them for future advancements.
With advanced programming and quad rendering
The college offers advanced courses on computer programming and quad rendering, implying that students can learn how to create complex graphics.
And Java plus plus plus scripting language
Students can learn Java programming language, a necessary skill for many jobs in the computer science field.
We offer advanced job placement assistance
Not only does Brymar College provide education, but it also offers job placement assistance to its graduates.
So upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
The singer is urging listeners to enhance their mental capacity, knowledge, and skills because it might make a difference in their future.
Comin from the outer regions of the universe
The singer introduces himself and his collaborator, Deltron Zero and Automator, respectively, as entities from outer space.
Check it
The artist signals the start of his performance.
Hey time for you to upgrade, fuck save, time to load
The artist is instructing listeners to upgrade their mental faculties quickly, leaving behind their old ways of thinking and processing information.
All my rhymes is sold, And find your own
The artist is confident in his knowledge and skills and advises listeners to develop their own instead of copying others.
Salivate over what I collaborate, With high tech wizardry
The singer is proud of his work, which he created using high-tech tools and techniques.
And breathe new life into the industry
The artist is claiming to have brought new energy and creativity to his profession.
Save to the hard drive for the archives
The singer is preserving his work for future reference and documentation.
Three thousand thirty with a global apartheid
The singer is commenting on the future state of the world, which he implies is divided and unequal.
Sensitivity ain't the energy
The singer emphasizes that emotional sensitivity is not a desirable trait in his profession.
Brain chemically contorted, With the coordinates to your ordinance
The artist is referring to his highly developed mental abilities, implying that he can manipulate and control his own and others' thoughts.
Yo, your recovery's slow
The artist is commenting on the slow pace of some people's mental development.
My dual input, Plus my modem, The tools in foot
The singer is referring to his advanced mental abilities, implying that he can process information quickly and efficiently.
Long songs instrumental digital projector professor
The singer is describing his profession in a creative way, implying that he creates long, instrumental pieces of music using digital technology as a professor.
I'll school you on the art and how it's texture mapped
The artist is implying that he will educate listeners on the creative process of producing music and how to apply visual effects to it.
Get your act together, my style is mega
The artist is urging listeners to improve their skills and knowledge to match his level, as his style is exceptionally impressive.
Educate the heads of eight lonely beggars
The artist is using hyperbole to suggest that his knowledge and skills are so useful that it can even help improve the lives of the most unfortunate and needy individuals.
Only shred of evidence is the virtual file
The singer is implying that his work's only evidence is a digital file stored in a computer.
Stored within the cerebellum hit you Berkowitz style
The artist is making a simile to suggest that his work can impact listeners' memories in a similar way to the notorious serial killer named David Berkowitz.
Hey, I reduce the game
The singer is suggesting that he has improved his skills and knowledge in such a way that he is now able to compete at a higher level of his profession.
When I boost my brain, What you used to sayin
The singer is suggesting that he has improved his mental capacity significantly, making his work more sophisticated and creative.
I loosen the frame, With shock announcements
The singer is suggesting that he creates and presents new, innovative ideas in his work, causing surprises to his audience.
T-Minus and countin', Effects control and bouncin'
The artist is using jargon to describe the technical aspects of his work, implying that he has a high level of understanding of modern technology.
Star studded and flooded like fountains
The artist is suggesting that his work is very popular and prominent, with many people admiring and consuming his art.
A new machine, Real artists are few between
The singer is implying that his work is groundbreaking, signaling the arrival of a new era in his profession, with only a few living up to his standards.
You better lube your screen, My renders are splendor
The singer is making a figurative suggestion that listeners should prepare themselves for the awe-inspiring visual effects and animations he creates with his advanced skills.
Three sixty reflecting quickly, Increase your disk speed
The artist is suggesting that his work requires a high level of computer processing power to view correctly, implying that people need to upgrade their technology to keep up with it fully.
My production model is the stuff to boggle minds
The artist is suggesting that his workflow and methodology are innovative and can surprise and amaze people.
You got a logon time of exactly thirty-six nanoseconds
The artist is making a technical reference, implying that his work requires a very short time to load and prepare for viewing.
Ambidextrious with ambience, Watch the cannons twist while I lockout my hardware
The singer is describing his abilities to multitask and create sensory effects in his work, using technical language to emphasize his level of expertise.
Word warfare logistically locate and process, With psychotropics to optimize my profits
The artist is using technical and complex terms again to describe how he optimizes his workflow, implying that his approach is meticulous and effective.
Envelop you with development kits that help me, To embellish the elements dynamic and too intelligent
The singer is implying that he can provide listeners with tools and resources that can help them enhance their knowledge and skills, particularly in creating dynamic and intelligent work.
Lookie here, as soon as I release the chip, You cease the rips and not
The singer is claiming that his work is so groundbreaking that once he releases it, other imitators can cease their attempts to catch up.
Since you want to top this reach to it, Digital retouch, reconstruct a whole conglomerate
The singer is challenging his listeners to improve their own work and learn how to create complex graphics and animations like he can.
With our armaments we use with tolerance, Such as a G-Bomb, cyborg with 3 arms
The artist is using figurative language to describe the tools and techniques he uses in his work, implying that he has unparalleled abilities and resources available to him.
Translate the ancient language with a brain dish, Micro machines polystrene conducting electrons
The artist is using figurative language again to describe his abilities to read and understand old artistic styles and techniques and use modern technology to create them.
Deltron strengthen with molecular bonds, Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
The singer is describing the power and steadfastness of his work and restates his earlier advice about upgrading one's knowledge and skills for the sake of the future.
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
The singer is reiterating his advice about the importance of upgrading one's mental capacity and skills to prepare for future advancements and opportunities.
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
The artist is repeating his advice once again to emphasize its importance and impact on one's future success.
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
The artist is reiterating his advice a final time to emphasize the importance of being prepared for future advancements and opportunities to succeed in one's profession.
Uuhaaaa...uh
The artist completes his performance with an enthusiastic and guttural vocalization.
Contributed by Henry H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mikhos
Here at Brynmar College
We can get you prepared for the 31st century
With advanced programming and quad rendering
And Java plus plus plus scripting language
We offer advanced job placement assistance
So upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
Comin from the outer regions of the universe
Deltron Zero and Automator
Check it
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
Hey time for you to upgrade, fuck save, time to load
All my rhymes the soul, and find your own
Salivate over what I collaborate,with high tech wizardry
And breathe new life into the industry
Save to the hard drive, for the archives
Three thousand thirty, with a global apartheid
Sensitivity ain't the energy, brain chemically contorted
With no coordinates, to your ordinance
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
Yo, your recovery's slow
My dual input, plus my modem, the tools in foot
Long songs instrumental digital projector professor
I'll school you on the art and how it's texture mapped
Get your act together, my style is mega
Educate the heads of eight lonely beggars
Only shred of evidence is the virtual file
Stored within the cerebellum hit you Berkowitz style
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
My defense capabilities, with ape agility
Take possibilities to the point of sense and shatter it
Commence the babbling, I'm meditatin' on a homosapien
With no education I'm 3D acceleration
My programmin' language, is the strangest
To come to grips, with mechanized mischief
Kicks it off with circular projectiles, X-Files
Heralded, as the most important dwarf the corporates
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
Hey, I reduce the gain
When I boost my brain
What you used to sayin
I loosen the frame
With shock announcements
T-Minus and countin'
Effects control and bouncin'
Star studded and flooded like fountains
A new machine
Real artists are few between
You better lube your screen
My renders are splendor
Three sixty reflecting quickly
Increase your disk speed
So you can
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
My production model is the stuff to boggle minds
You got a logon time of exactly thirty-six nanoseconds
Ambidextrious with ambience
Watch the cannons twist while I lockout my hardware
Word warfare logistically locate and process
With psychotropics to optimize my profits
Envelop you with development kits that help me
To embellish the elements dynamic and too intelligent
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
Lookie here, as soon as I release the chip
You cease to rip
Synopsis, you want to top this? reach to it
Digital retouch, reconstruct a whole conglomerate
With our armaments we use with tolerance
Such as a G-Bomb, cyborg with 3 arms
Translate the ancient language with a brain dish
Micro machines polystrene conducting electrons
Deltron strengthen with molecular bonds
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
Uuhaaaa...uh
Zachary Breed
I remember this as clear as day.
Sitting in my brothers room at the home pc
Iβll set the scene by saying there was a bulky dell monitor with a fat tower, cdβs with scholastic games(my man putt putt)
Posters and wall scrolls adorning the walls. Everything from ghost in the shell to gorrilaz.
He said βI want you to listen to this and itβs going to change how you look at our futuresβ at the time I didnβt know what to think about it. Whenever I hear this song Iβm right back in my happy place.
My brother gone from my life but I still remember it so clearly itβs scary almost.
He was right
This song changed how I thought about everything.
Clay waiting to be molded to our will.
Iβm ready Elon and am ready to βupgradeβ my βgrey matterβ because someday βit may matterβ
Zackaria De La Serna
Here at Brymar College
We can get you prepared for the 31st century
With advanced programming and quad rendering
And Java plus plus plus scripting language
We offer advanced job placement assistance
So upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
Comin from the outer regions of the universe
Deltron Zero and Automator
Check it
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
Hey time for you to upgrade, fuck save, time to load
All my rhymes is sold
And find your own
Salivate over what I collaborate
with high tech wizardry
and breathe new life into the industry
Save to the hard drive for the archives
Three thousand thirty with a global apartheid
Sensitivity ain't the energy
Brain chemically contorted
With the coordinates to your ordinance
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
Yo, your recovery's slow
My dual input
Plus my modem
The tools in foot
Long songs instrumental digital projector professor
I'll school you on the art and how it's texture mapped
Get your act together, my style is mega
Educate the heads of eight lonely beggars
Only shred of evidence is the virtual file
Stored within the cerebellum hit you Berkowitz style
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
My defense capabilities with ape agilitiy
Take possibilities to the point of sense and shatter it
Commence the babbling I'm meditatin' on a homosapien
With no education I'm 3D acceleration
My programmin' language is the strangest
To come to grips with mechanized mischief
Kicks it off with circular projectiles X-Files
Herald as the most important dwarf the corporates
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
Hey, I reduce the game
When I boost my brain
What you used to sayin
I loosen the frame
With shock announcements
T-Minus and countin'
Effects control and bouncin'
Star studded and flooded like fountains
A new machine
Real artists are few between
You better lube your screen
My renders are splendor
Three sixty reflecting quickly
Increase your disk speed
So you can,
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
My production model is the stuff to boggle minds
You got a logon time of exactly thirty-six nanoseconds
Ambidextrious with ambience
Watch the cannons twist while I lockout my hardware
Word warfare logistically locate and process
With psychotropics to optimize my profits
Envelop you with development kits that help me
To embellish the elements dynamic and too intelligent
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
Lookie here, as soon as I release the chip
You cease the rips and not
Since you want to top this reach to it
Digital retouch, reconstruct a whole conglomerate
With our armaments we use with tolerance
Such as a G-Bomb, cyborg with 3 arms
Translate the ancient language with a brain dish
Micro machines polystrene conducting electrons
Deltron strengthen with molecular bonds
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
Uuhaaaa...uh
Dorkasaurus_rex
2019 and still one of the best albums in hip hop
Randolph Binford III
Next year this album will 20 years old.
Jonathan Stolarski
here 2020.
Lefty southpawofdetttth
4 sure
Senshi_CDXX
Definitely the most important albums in hip hop that many donβt even know that existed π―π
Alex Groh
2023 still amazing
Logan Brown
Honestly, this whole album was fucking genius.
Somenamelessdude
8 yrs STILL FUCKING IS.
ARCGamingTV
The best thing about Del is that he raps about real computer shit and gets it all to flow....mad respect
TheGhFan
This album is the Dark Side of the Moon of hp hop. I can't just listen to one song, it has to be the whole album.