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
You're In Shambles
Del Tha Funkee Homosapien Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm the monsta'
come on in closa'
I'll roast ya'
not never worried 'bout competition
listen
I can twist men
into pretzels
'cause it's fun
I'm not done
one or even two could even try
it's not a even try
I'll leave 'em, why
did you do it, I'ma school kids and tease 'em and please 'em
for the treason
that's the reason
I'ma squeeze 'em
Make 'em tell
and make 'em dwell
they're not dead
I got lead, but I won't use it
I'll refuse it
'cause they're losin'
I'll be merciful
I won't hurt the skull, with the hollow tip
I'll make sure they follow tips, that I tell 'em
I won't spell 'em, out
they'll shout, in horror
'cause they saw a metamorphis
I'ma force kids out the galaxy
so now ask me
don't try to go around
because I know the sound
they're not stealthy
I'm dope, the opposers - I make sure you chose the straight and narrow
prepare though, and be careful
[CHORUS:]
"You had your chance, you blew it X3
You had your chance..."
Now peep this, they forgot
and now they gonna rot
they didn't know that they could sell a lot, (a lot)
of trash
'cause it doesn't smash or last
they got cash, but now
how are you gonna survive
because you strive to gamble
you're in shambles, and I'm glad
I could add flavor
I'm the savior, misbehavior can catch hell
none can match Del
unless they stress, fresh
I'm nonetheless and take a guess
the one that make 'em go back and tell they crew
that Del is true, he tell a new way to say whatever's clever
I'm gonna sever
necks of those who don't respect the rap legacy
because I egg MC's,
on the late night
they got away writin' clever raps
'cause with that bullshit it sounds like they never rapped
in they life
I got a knife, that is lyrical
and Del is causin' fear and still has potential (potential)
they didn't learn
now the money's gonna burn
I yearn to make rap better. . .
let's stick together!
[CHORUS:]
"You had your chance and you blew it X3
You had your chance, you had your chance, you had your chance, uhh...you
blew it!"
[Del, tha funkee homosapien, from Hieroglyphics] (Repeated)
The lyrics to Del Tha Funkee Homosapien’s “You’re In Shambles” describe the singer’s confidence and prowess as a rapper as he addresses his competition. The singer is described as a “monsta” who can easily defeat anyone who steps up to him. He is unfazed by competition as he can “twist men into pretzels” with his skills on the microphone. The singer is so good that one or even two competitors could not even hope to beat him. The singer threatens to “squeeze” and tease and please his competition for daring to try to compete against him.
The choice of words and the cadence of the singer’s lyrics give the impression that he is not only confident but also unapologetically confrontational. He takes pride in having eliminated other artists from the rap game, and he is ready and willing to do the same thing to anyone else who challenges him. The singer’s use of violent language and imagery adds an ominous quality to the song, as he seems to relish the idea of causing other rappers to fail. Overall, “You’re In Shambles” is a powerful declaration of the singer’s prowess as a rapper and a warning to anyone who tries to compete against him.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm the monsta'
I am the monster, the one to fear and be reckoned with.
come on in closa'
Approach me, get closer to me.
I'll roast ya'
I will humiliate and destroy you.
not never worried 'bout competition
I am never worried about competition, as I am confident in my abilities.
listen
Pay attention to what I have to say.
I can twist men into pretzels
I have the power to manipulate and control people to my advantage.
my jet skills, can outrun
My skills are so great that I can outrun and defeat anyone who tries to challenge me.
'cause it's fun
I do this because it's enjoyable and challenging.
I'm not done
I'm not finished yet, there's still more to come.
one or even two could even try
Even one or two people attempting to challenge me is not a fair fight.
it's not even worth a try
Trying to challenge me is not even worth the effort or time.
I'll leave 'em, why
I will defeat and render my challengers helpless, and they will be left wondering why they even tried.
did you do it, I'ma school kids and tease 'em and please 'em
I will educate and tease young rappers to help them improve their craft.
for the treason
For their betrayal and disloyalty.
that's the reason
That is why I must punish them and make an example of them.
I'ma squeeze 'em
I will put pressure on them to confess and come clean.
Make 'em tell
Force them to confess and reveal the truth.
and make 'em dwell
Make them reflect and dwell on their mistakes and repercussions.
they're not dead
I don't intend to kill them or cause fatal harm.
I got lead, but I won't use it
Although I have a weapon, I choose to spare them and not use it.
I'll refuse it
I will not succumb to violence unnecessarily.
'cause they're losin'
Because my challengers are losing, there is no need for violence or bloodshed.
I'll be merciful
I will show mercy and compassion to those who concede and admit defeat.
I won't hurt the skull, with the hollow tip
I am not interested in killing, and won't use lethal weapons.
I'll make sure they follow tips, that I tell 'em
I will offer guidance and advice that they should follow in the future.
I won't spell 'em, out
I won't give them explicit instructions for success, they need to figure it out themselves.
they'll shout, in horror
Their reaction will be of shock, disappointment and horror.
'cause they saw a metamorphis
They saw a transformation in me, a change in identity or appearance.
I'ma force kids out the galaxy
I will push and force competition out of the industry entirely.
so now ask me
Now you can ask me, as I have proven my dominance and commitment to rap.
don't try to go around
Don't try to avoid or work around my challenge, face it head on.
because I know the sound
I am aware of the various tactics and styles employed by my competition and can easily recognize them.
they're not stealthy
They are not sneaky or subtle in their approach, I can see through their tactics.
I'm dope, the opposers
I am amazing and talented compared to my opponents.
- I make sure you chose the straight and narrow
I will guide you on the path of honesty and morality to achieve success.
prepare though, and be careful
Be diligent, cautious and prepared for any obstacle that may arise.
Now peep this, they forgot
Take a look at the situation, my challengers have forgotten something important.
and now they gonna rot
As a result, they will suffer the consequences and fail.
they didn't know that they could sell a lot, (a lot)
They were unaware of their potential to succeed and make a profit.
of trash
Their music is terrible and subpar.
'cause it doesn't smash or last
Their music lacks originality and longevity.
they got cash, but now
Despite their wealth, they still face failure and disappointment.
now how are you gonna survive
They will need to rethink and readjust their approach.
because you strive to gamble
Their efforts to take risks and innovate has backfired on them.
you're in shambles, and I'm glad
They are in ruins and I am glad to see them suffer.
I could add flavor
I can bring my own unique style and voice to the industry.
I'm the savior, misbehavior can catch hell
I am the saving grace of rap, and those who continue to act irresponsibly will suffer the consequences.
none can match Del
No one can match my skills and talents as a rapper.
unless they stress, fresh
The only way to go toe-to-toe with me is to be innovative and original.
I'm nonetheless and take a guess
Despite any challenges, I continue to succeed and rise to the top.
the one who make 'em go back and tell they crew
I am the one who impresses my challengers so much that they feel compelled to tell their friends.
that Del is true, he tell a new way to say whatever's clever
I offer a new and fresh approach to rapping, and encourage creativity and ingenuity.
I'm gonna sever
I will cut off any opposition to my success and continue to dominate.
necks of those who don't respect the rap legacy
I will eliminate anyone who disrespects the culture and history of rap music.
because I egg MC's
I provoke MCs and challengers to bring their best to the table.
on the late night
I work tirelessly into the night to perfect my craft.
they got away writin' clever raps
My opponents have relied solely on their clever lyrics to succeed, without the skill and talent to back it up.
'cause with that bullshit it sounds like they never rapped in they life
Despite their attempts to sound like they know what they're doing, it's obvious that they lack proper training and experience.
I got a knife, that is lyrical
I have a weapon that is my lyrical prowess, and I use it to defeat any challengers.
and Del is causin' fear and still has potential (potential)
My successes and talents have earned me respect and admiration in the rap community, and there is still more room for my potential to grow.
they didn't learn
My opponents have yet to learn from their mistakes.
now the money's gonna burn
Their mismanagement and lack of creativity will result in the loss of revenue and wealth.
I yearn to make rap better...
I have a deep, unyielding desire to improve and evolve the rap industry.
let's stick together!
Our collective passion and drive for rap should unite us to build a stronger, more exciting future for the genre.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LEE, DUANE / JONES, TEREN DELVON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind