The group consists of rappers from the hip-hop group Souls of Mischief including A-Plus, Tajai, Opio, and Phesto Dee as well as rappers such as Del Tha Funkee Homosapien, Casual, and Pep Love. Domino is their in-house producer with A-Plus performing production duties from time to time. As a group Hieroglyphics has released three albums, 3rd Eye Vision (1998), Full Circle (2003) and The Kitchen (2013). They have also been featured on numerous compilation albums and have collaborated with the likes of Planet Asia and 9th Wonder.
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 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. The group has a spiritual down to earth mindset and smooth jazzy beats. They often rhyme about the third eye which is featured on their logo. For those who know and understand what the third eye is about will understand the underlying messages better than those who do not.
The mistreatment of Del & Hieroglyphics by their record labels became infamous in hip-hop circles, as a perfect example of "industry rule #4080" (record companies 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.
Through their own independent label's (Hieroglyphics Imperium) website, http://www.hieroglyphics.com, the group releases singles, albums, and EPs from the group as well as its members and other artists who are signed to the label.
DEL
Hieroglyphics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drop some new shit on 'em them
Let's drop some new shit on 'em
[Opio]
Drop it on 'em Cas
[Casual]
Some brand new new shit
Going
[Del]
Yeah, this D-E-L in the house
And Hieroglyphics crew
Down wit' Matt Kelly, A-Plus, Domino
Man, we about to kick this little shit right here on my down time on the
album
Check it out
MC's is too promiscious so if you fuss
I'ma be the next to bust and take you on the Exodus
Wreckless
Checklist, ain't nobody next to us
Step to us and get reduced to a speck of dust
Fuck the hellala detectives with they secret societies
We speak wit' variety
So stand back
Before you caught in my sand traps
Hilarious you better vary it, you bury it
Go along with your merriment
Hiero getting ever cent
And we earned it, and burned it
In your brains like brands
And now, everyone demands
Del and his entourage and you can all get squashed
He mosh it up, we mega and vicious
Magnificent
Fuck the whimsical misteral
We stiffed through competitors and regulate
And make you hesistate you better wait
Time to set it straight
You never take a flow for granted
Cause what you ain't peeping
Is equal to what we call "sleeping"
Slumbering and fucking cumbersome
Keep the tabs on them tongues
And let the bomb numb your lungs
Yeah
Cranialologist
The zany novelist
The tactical graphical
With lyrics for capital
After you, high speed chase
To erase
All existing life forms and drive 'em to free base
[Coughing]
Hieroglyphics
The song Del by Hieroglyphics opens up with Casual calling for something new and fresh, something to drop on their audience, and the song's verses don't disappoint. Del the Funky Homosapien is up first, professing his loyalty to his crew and introducing some of the group's members before launching into a verse full of clever wordplay and intricate rhyme schemes. Del outlines his stance on the rap game, calling out other MCs as promiscuous and placing himself on a pedestal above them. He even goes so far as to compare himself and the Hiero crew to brands burned into their listeners' brains. Del and his team are not to be messed with, and they'll make anyone who tests them regret it.
The second verse, delivered by Opio, maintains the song's energetic, boastful tone. Opio's flow is dense and intricate, as he describes his skills as a rapper and his place in the industry. He's not afraid to take on competitors, and he'll make them hesitate with his rhymes. Opio's verse is full of wordplay and clever references, showcasing his intelligence and his infectious energy. Overall, Del is a song that showcases Hieroglyphics' talents and their ability to craft intricate, witty rhymes.
Line by Line Meaning
Drop some new shit on 'em them
Let's surprise our fans with a new track
Let's drop some new shit on 'em
We should release some fresh music
Drop it on 'em Cas
Casual, go ahead and start the verse
Some brand new new shit
A completely innovative track
Yeah, this D-E-L in the house
It's Del the Funky Homosapien rapping in this song
And Hieroglyphics crew
Del is performing with his group, Hieroglyphics
Down wit' Matt Kelly, A-Plus, Domino
They're all in this together, including Matt Kelly, A-Plus, and Domino
Man, we about to kick this little shit right here on my down time on the album
We're taking this opportunity to record a track while we have some free time
MC's is too promiscious so if you fuss
Other rappers cause trouble and are unreliable
I'ma be the next to bust and take you on the Exodus
Del is prepared to take on any challengers and defeat them
Wreckless
Careless or dangerous
Checklist, ain't nobody next to us
We're the best in the game, there's no one who can match us
Step to us and get reduced to a speck of dust
Anyone who challenges us will be quickly defeated and forgotten
Fuck the hellala detectives with they secret societies
Del dislikes the police and their secretive ways
We speak wit' variety
Our rapping is diverse and original
So stand back
Don't get too close
Before you caught in my sand traps
Del's rhymes are like traps, and it's easy to get caught up in them
Hilarious you better vary it, you bury it
You better change your approach or you'll be defeated
Go along with your merriment
Keep enjoying yourself and having fun
Hiero getting ever cent
Hieroglyphics is making money
And we earned it, and burned it
They worked hard to make their music and it's been successful
In your brains like brands
Their music is memorable and sticks with you
And now, everyone demands
Their fans are always wanting more from them
Del and his entourage and you can all get squashed
Any challengers to Del and his group will be easily defeated
He mosh it up, we mega and vicious
Del is getting the crowd excited, and Hieroglyphics is being aggressive and daring
Magnificent
Their performance is amazing and impressive
Fuck the whimsical misteral
They don't have time for shallow, weak competitors
We stiffed through competitors and regulate
They've overcome many other rappers and are in control
And make you hesistate you better wait
Del will intimidate other rappers and they'll be reluctant to compete
Time to set it straight
It's time to clarify their position and prove their superiority
You never take a flow for granted
Don't underestimate their rapping skills
Cause what you ain't peeping
What you don't realize
Is equal to what we call "sleeping"
You're unaware, and it's like you're sleeping through their performance
Slumbering and fucking cumbersome
You're passive and slow to react
Keep the tabs on them tongues
Be careful what you say
And let the bomb numb your lungs
Relax and let the music overtake you
Cranialologist
A person who studies the brain
The zany novelist
A strange and creative writer
The tactical graphical
Skilled in using words and imagery to create an effect
With lyrics for capital
Their music is a source of income
After you, high speed chase
They'll keep going after other rappers and won't back down
To erase
To get rid of
All existing life forms and drive 'em to free base
Their music will leave other rappers feeling defeated and alone
Hieroglyphics
A reference to the group Hieroglyphics
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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