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.
Heatish
Hieroglyphics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yea! I'm super colossal
I'll DDT any Randy Savage that can Macho
Watch yo' nostrils burn from the toxic germ when I talk superb
Stronger than Cyclops' optic nerve, you didn't thought so?
You just passed a paint brush to Picasso
I move like a bullet shot from a .50 caliber Glock
So challenge me not, I'm liable to drop flows
Fire swept through your dialect like the oakland hills
Inner smoke and still it's everlasting
They're saying oh, that's over kill
CHILL! Roll a Phill control the Bill Bixbie in me
'Fore I blow this building up
Ughhh. Damn I'm swerving!
Puffing on a magic wand like I was Merlin
Picture that, beanie look like a magician hat
Kicking back with a sack blowing clouds of herb in
Just thinking to myself about linking up my wealth
And developing my physical and mental
I make G's wit a pencil, expand exponentially
I gots to tell 'em what I been through
[Taiji]
I'm a emphatic, rap-phatic
Cinematic sim-tactics
Inhabit when the black magnet attract magic
Disperse curses, repel spells, and tell tales
My literary achievements
Rocked your body of rejects and caused solar events
This psycho-kinetic flux when I touch the mic
You rappers caught up in a crux tonight
I bust with an exuberant lust for life
Maneuver within the groove and get BUCKS for what I write
Take a stroll down lovers lane
And get beat to a pulp by my suckers' slang
I'm vulgar, vain
Glorious and obnoxious when I rock shit, get toxic
Profound and profane. My hock spit
Ignite and blow up like propane under pressure it's no thang
For me to wipe out your kind like the dinosaurs
Swinging my grammar like the hammer of the Mighty Thor
Crushing percussion with this discussion I'm thrusting forth
To get these motherfuckers off my nuts is nothin.
[Casual]
One of them cats that you won't find easy to persuade
Catch me with a group of babes, (dug in)? like super Dave (HA)
In an Escalade
But who could save hip-hop when the music's made? (Hiero)
You looked confused Tried to take a step in my shoes
You couldn't touch aim or bust the weapon I use
You get crushed. Ice, to slush, to bum rush
Twenty of us that all rhyme plush (all of us)
I heard that hit you got, and that whip you caught tight
But in Oakland, you get dropped right at the stop light
Stomped in the flow, by indigo Kenneth Cole reactions
To start a chemical reaction
Shot up, ? 'em all, got up before we caught up
In some shit, that's how we brought up
A feather chaser, moving at the pace of an Indy-racer
Razor sharp art... Fantasia!
Fanatic or finesse from flows filled with static
Combatted by the cats I let have it
A money magnet
The song "Heatish" is a collaborative effort between three members of Hieroglyphics, a hip-hop collective based in Oakland, California. In the first verse, Opio asserts his dominance as a rapper, using metaphors to describe his lyrical skill and the power of his words. He compares himself to a bullet shot from a gun, saying that he can "drop flows" and cause fire to "sweep through your dialect." Taiji takes over in the second verse, boasting about his ability to create cinematic and spellbinding rhymes that can cause "solar events." He is unapologetic about his vulgar and sometimes profane lyrics, and he declares that he will wipe out any competition like the dinosaurs. Casual brings a more aggressive energy to the third verse, stating that he is harder to persuade and more difficult to beat than most rappers. He describes his group as a formidable force, capable of crushing an opponent in a fight.
Line by Line Meaning
Yea! I'm super colossal
I am extremely large and impressive
I'll DDT any Randy Savage that can Macho
I am capable of defeating any powerful opponent
Watch yo' nostrils burn from the toxic germ when I talk superb
My words are so powerful that they will cause discomfort and irritation
Stronger than Cyclops' optic nerve, you didn't thought so?
I am incredibly strong, even stronger than a superhero
You just passed a paint brush to Picasso
You have just witnessed my artistic abilities
I move like a bullet shot from a .50 caliber Glock
I move quickly and with a purpose
So challenge me not, I'm liable to drop flows
Do not challenge me, because I will impress with my skills
And OH! they know my skills
My skills are well-known and respected
Fire swept through your dialect like the oakland hills
My words are like a wildfire, burning through your dialect
Inner smoke and still it's everlasting
My impact will last a long time
They're saying oh, that's over kill
Some people think I am too intense or excessive
CHILL! Roll a Phill control the Bill Bixbie in me
Calm down and relax, and I will control myself
'Fore I blow this building up
Before I get too intense and destructive
Puffing on a magic wand like I was Merlin
I am smoking something and feel like a powerful wizard
Picture that, beanie look like a magician hat
Imagine me with a beanie that looks like a hat for a wizard
Kicking back with a sack blowing clouds of herb in
I am relaxing and smoking marijuana
Just thinking to myself about linking up my wealth
I am considering investing my money wisely
And developing my physical and mental
I am improving myself both physically and mentally
I make G's wit a pencil, expand exponentially
I am very skilled at writing and my success is growing rapidly
I gots to tell 'em what I been through
I need to share my life experiences
I'm a emphatic, rap-phatic
I am passionate about rap
Cinematic sim-tactics
My style is dramatic and strategic
Inhabit when the black magnet attract magic
I have a natural talent for attracting positive attention
Disperse curses, repel spells, and tell tales
I am capable of overcoming negativity and creating stories
My literary achievements
My accomplishments in writing and poetry
Rocked your body of rejects and caused solar events
My work has inspired and impacted many people
This psycho-kinetic flux when I touch the mic
My presence on the microphone is powerful
You rappers caught up in a crux tonight
Other rappers are struggling to keep up with me
I bust with an exuberant lust for life
I have a lot of energy and enthusiasm
Maneuver within the groove and get BUCKS for what I write
I am successful and make a lot of money from my writing
Take a stroll down lovers lane
Relax and enjoy yourself
And get beat to a pulp by my suckers' slang
You will be impressed by my slang and lingo
I'm vulgar, vain
I can be offensive and self-serving
Glorious and obnoxious when I rock shit, get toxic
I am impressive but can also be rude or unpleasant
Profound and profane. My hock spit
I can be insightful and vulgar simultaneously
Ignite and blow up like propane under pressure it's no thang
I handle pressure well and can perform under intense circumstances
For me to wipe out your kind like the dinosaurs
I can easily defeat or eliminate my competition
Swinging my grammar like the hammer of the Mighty Thor
I use language in a powerful and impressive way
Crushing percussion with this discussion I'm thrusting forth
My words and performance are intense and powerful
To get these motherfuckers off my nuts is nothin.
It is easy for me to distance myself from people who want something from me
One of them cats that you won't find easy to persuade
I am not easily influenced or convinced
Catch me with a group of babes, (dug in)? like super Dave (HA)
I am hanging out with attractive women and feeling good
In an Escalade
I am driving a luxury SUV
But who could save hip-hop when the music's made? (Hiero)
The future of hip-hop is uncertain, even for successful groups like Hieroglyphics
You looked confused Tried to take a step in my shoes
You are trying to understand my perspective but are having difficulty
You couldn't touch aim or bust the weapon I use
You could not replicate or defeat the skills I possess
You get crushed. Ice, to slush, to bum rush
You will be defeated easily
Twenty of us that all rhyme plush (all of us)
My group is full of talented and successful artists
I heard that hit you got, and that whip you caught tight
I am aware of your success and possessions
But in Oakland, you get dropped right at the stop light
Even with success, you can still be in danger in certain areas
Stomped in the flow, by indigo Kenneth Cole reactions
I am stylish and fashionable even while performing
To start a chemical reaction
To start a chain reaction or create something powerful
Shot up, ? 'em all, got up before we caught up
I defeated my enemies quickly and effectively
In some shit, that's how we brought up
I grew up in difficult circumstances
A feather chaser, moving at the pace of an Indy-racer
I am fast and determined in my pursuits
Razor sharp art... Fantasia!
My art and creativity are impressive and sharp
Fanatic or finesse from flows filled with static
My performance is intense and impressive or smooth and skillful
Combatted by the cats I let have it
Other artists are trying to compete with my skills
A money magnet
I am successful and make a lot of money
Contributed by Jayce A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.