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.
Miles to the Sun
Hieroglyphics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't know what you've been told
but when we rippin the mic taking total control
just heed, pay attention, read, the inscription
our definition is the shit when we rock
we got, 93 million 5 thousand flows
and heres one more
yeah I burn a gremlin escape on yo tape
intricate like a diagram of the universe
they cant devastate, levitate, featherweight
rappers who got separation anxiety
that's why they try to be just like the "H" to the third eye "RO"
..word
[Tajai:]
a nigga liable to flip
make your pulse skip
wide eyed surprised
so shocking when we choppin choking talking
for profit avoiding rocking stocking mass robbin
and voided got you like we imported put please..
[Pep Love:]
Don't get it distorted
Just flashin and the music and absorb it
hieroglyphics crew into orbit
we gotta motivate
elevate through the sky
hell if it aint a big surprise
how we dematerialize
then reappear in front of your eyes
you reach out but its light years away
[Opio:]
back again with the reincarnation
the awakening
you making green but you aint causing storms in the underground
fuck around get wiped cleaned from the slate and wonder how
now you miles from the sun
paranoia and you carry a gun
scared to death on the run
[Tajai:]
with no destination
and no nutts with no hesitation
the bonus bestowed beckoning those who know us
to get the checking and oppose the owners respecting
its affecting the music we grown upon
and that's sho enough
so enough and shined up
sidewinders is sewn up your times up
[Pep Love:]
Mine's just beginning and im intending to infinitely exist like this
taking it to another dimension
discovering i got style with a twist consistently
distant from the brother uttering other nonsenses
we gotta keep ya braincells fluttering
I don't know what you've been told
but this will unfold again the distance
and heed, pay attention, read the inscription
we giving the night the day, how many miles away?
93 million 5 thousand flows and heres one more [x3]
hieroglyphics...
[Tajai:]
At centigrade we blaze the strats
we suddenly combust spontaneous
till niggas need a bomb shelter
when i unveil the microphone
tapping your spine like your doctor
break water
the kinetic poetic lyrical archer with phonetic marksmanship
splittin moving targets apart with
aero dynamic rhymes from the barrel leaving your mic sterile
paralyze while i send you muppets
by the quintuplets with your tuxedos and cufflinks
bustin mabeline, get rushed disablin me to rock the show
is not an option so
it just don't stop
[Pep Love:]
listen my mind tunes releasing toxic fumes
developing each track each line consumes
sucka emcees in a feeding frenzy
you ducks are in season
up against me
the immanent threat veteran
that set trends
getting intimate with yo bitch feminine itch
style that are not appreciated on this side
im all in it like a tick for blood
when i collide to the top
its heavier than a riptide
i demolish the arena when obscene
obscene things are done
than after i rat a tat tat
so Swiss cheese emcees i burn them with rap degrees
I don't know what you've been told
but when the beat proceeds you need to keep close
and heed, pay attention, read, the inscription
we living this life to stay, they're many miles away
I don't know what you've been told
but when we rippin the mic taking total control
just heed, pay attention, read, the inscription
our definition is the shit when we rock
we got,
93 million 5 thousand flows and heres one more [x3]
"Miles to the Sun" is a song by the American underground hip hop collective Hieroglyphics. The chorus of the song asserts that the collective has 93 million 5 thousand flows, and that they are producing one more. Though this may seem hyperbolic, it speaks to the idea of the infinity of creative potential, a theme that many of the verses touch upon.
The first verse by Opio is all about his lyrical prowess. He notes that he has a unique flow that is "intricate like a diagram of the universe." He sees himself as being transcendent, levitating above his competition who suffers from "separation anxiety" and tries to imitate Hiero's style.
The second verse by Tajai is more aggressive in its delivery. He promises to "flip" and make the listener's pulse "skip." He boasts about Hieroglyphics' ability to surprise and shock their listeners with their originality. He accuses the record industry of trying to co-opt the underground sound but asserts that Hiero's authenticity can't be replicated.
Pep Love's verse focuses on Hieroglyphics as a unit that is determined to break through the stratosphere. He compares their mission to a NASA launch, and notes that they hope to motivate and elevate their fans through their music. He asserts that Hieroglyphics exists on a different plane from the competition; they are able to "dematerialize" and "reappear in front of your eyes."
In Opio's second verse, he continues the theme of Hieroglyphics' cosmic journey, asserting that they are "back again with the reincarnation, the awakening." He notes that others have tried to replicate their flows but have failed and have been "wiped clean from the slate." He warns that those who are scared and paranoid will be left "miles from the sun."
Tajai's second verse is all about the struggle of being an underground artist. He asserts that there is no destination to their journey and that they face challenges from those who don't respect their music. He promises that Hieroglyphics will continue to grow and shine, while others' "times" are up.
Pep Love's final verse ends the song on a triumphant note. He promises to reveal the "toxic fumes" of his mind tunes and to "demolish the arena." He contrasts his originality with those who are "busted" and are "obscene," and promises to "Burn them with rap degrees."
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know what you've been told
I am unsure of what information you have been given previously
but when we rippin the mic taking total control
When we perform and take over the microphone, we are in complete control
just heed, pay attention, read, the inscription
Please listen closely, focus on what we are saying, and understand the message
our definition is the shit when we rock
Our version of music is excellent when we perform
we got, 93 million 5 thousand flows
We have many unique and diverse styles of music
and heres one more
We have yet another unique style to share
yeah I burn a gremlin escape on yo tape
I am a skilled rapper and my flow is on fire
intricate like a diagram of the universe
My lyrics are complex and detailed, like a map of the universe
they cant devastate, levitate, featherweight
My competitors cannot bring me down, I can rise and float effortlessly
rappers who got separation anxiety
Other rappers are afraid to be different and stand out
that's why they try to be just like the "H" to the third eye "RO"
They try to copy our unique style
a nigga liable to flip
I am capable of changing my style abruptly
make your pulse skip
I have the ability to create excitement in the listener
wide eyed surprised
The listener will be astonished and amazed
so shocking when we choppin choking talking
Our performance is so amazing, it leaves people speechless
for profit avoiding rocking stocking mass robbin
We avoid greed and instead focus on creating good music
and voided got you like we imported put please..
We are so good that you will feel like we were imported from another world
Don't get it distorted
Do not misunderstand us or the message we are trying to convey
Just flashin and the music and absorb it
Listen to the music and let it penetrate your mind and emotions
hieroglyphics crew into orbit
Our group is on top of the music scene and constantly rising higher
we gotta motivate
It is important that we encourage others to achieve their goals
elevate through the sky
We want to take our music to new heights
hell if it aint a big surprise
It may come as a shock to some listeners how good our music is
how we dematerialize
Our music is so good that it seems to transport the listener to another place
then reappear in front of your eyes
Our music can have a strong and lasting impact on the listener
you reach out but its light years away
You may want to emulate our success, but it is a long way off
back again with the reincarnation
We are continually evolving and reinventing ourselves
the awakening
We are bringing a fresh and surprising new style to our music
you making green but you aint causing storms in the underground
Other rappers may have superficial success, but they don't have a significant impact
fuck around get wiped cleaned from the slate and wonder how
If you don't take us seriously, we will erase you from the music scene and leave you wondering why
now you miles from the sun
You are far away from the success that we have achieved
paranoia and you carry a gun
You may feel threatened by the success of others and use weapons to try and prove yourself
scared to death on the run
You are frightened and running away from the competition
with no destination
You are aimless and without direction
and no nutts with no hesitation
You lack the courage and conviction to pursue your goals
the bonus bestowed beckoning those who know us
Those who are familiar with our music will be drawn to it
to get the checking and oppose the owners respecting
We want to support those who appreciate our music and challenge those who do not
its affecting the music we grown upon
Our music is changing and evolving over time
and that's sho enough
That is definitely the case
so enough and shined up
We are polished and ready to share our music with the world
sidewinders is sewn up your times up
We have taken control of the music scene and it is time for others to step aside
Mine's just beginning and im intending to infinitely exist like this
My music career is just starting and I plan on making music forever
taking it to another dimension
My music has the ability to transcend boundaries and touch the listener's soul
discovering i got style with a twist consistently
I have a consistently unique and creative style
distant from the brother uttering other nonsenses
I am different from other rappers who have nothing meaningful to say
we gotta keep ya braincells fluttering
Our music is designed to challenge and stimulate the listener's mind
when the beat proceeds you need to keep close
When the music starts, you should pay close attention and focus on the lyrics
we giving the night the day, how many miles away?
Our music has the power to bring light to the darkness, regardless of how far away we are
Contributed by Bentley H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.