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.
Opio
Hieroglyphics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, yeah
What's goin down
S.O.M., where we at?
Alright
How we do, verse like
I ignite the microphone to a scorching ball of fire
Light up the sky with the olympic torch wire
tapped to the console, then I'm high rolling
with the diamond tipped drill lyrics, straight from Oakland
Don't get too comfortable your lungs will fill with fluid
cause I'm tunneling through your bulletproof, at the speed of lightning
Move right left, swing diagonal you still gets tagged so
acting on impulse results in disaster (yeah)
I'm like chance, I come unexpected
like a glance down the barrel of a AP-9, I'm mind blowin
Potent like crystal methane
It's insane to try me but still niggaz attempt
They body goes limp, then they brain starts trembling
Dissasembling they physical makeup and mental health
Gettin one step closer to oblivion your chest begins giving in
There's no avenging your death on the microphon
The song "Opio" by Hieroglyphics is a powerful and intense rap song about the strength and dominance the artist has when he's on stage performing. The artist starts by igniting the microphone into a scorching ball of fire and metaphorically lighting up the sky with his talent. The lyrics are heavy and intense, often alluding to violent imagery, with lines like "Don't get too comfortable your lungs will fill with fluid cause I'm tunneling through your bulletproof".
The artist is acutely aware of his surroundings and is highly reactive, reacting to every impulse with precision and skill. He is unpredictable and comes at you unexpectedly, like a glance down the barrel of a gun. His power is potent, almost insane to the point that people try him out of sheer fascination. His talent is so intense that it disassembles physical makeup and mental health, one step closer to oblivion. There is no way to avenge your death in the microphone's presence. The entire song is an ode to the artist's strength and skill, with intense metaphors and similes that paint a vivid picture.
Line by Line Meaning
I ignite the microphone to a scorching ball of fire
I start rapping with so much intensity that the microphone seems to be on fire
Light up the sky with the olympic torch wire
My rhymes are so electrifying that they light up the entire sky, like the Olympic torch
tapped to the console, then I'm high rolling
I connect with the music and the console, and then I rap like a boss
with the diamond tipped drill lyrics, straight from Oakland
My lyrics are sharp and precise, delivered straight from the streets of Oakland
Don't get too comfortable your lungs will fill with fluid
Don't relax too much or you might suffocate, because my rhymes are so intense
cause I'm tunneling through your bulletproof, at the speed of lightning
I am breaking through your defenses with such speed and force, it's like lightning
Move right left, swing diagonal you still gets tagged so
Even if you move around and try to dodge my lyrics, you will still get hit
acting on impulse results in disaster (yeah)
If you act recklessly or without thinking, it will end badly for you
I'm like chance, I come unexpected
I am unpredictable, like a chance event
like a glance down the barrel of a AP-9, I'm mind blowin
My rhymes are like looking down the barrel of a gun, they blow your mind
Potent like crystal methane
My rhymes are strong and powerful, like crystal methane
It's insane to try me but still niggaz attempt
It's crazy for anyone to try to compete with me, but some still try
They body goes limp, then they brain starts trembling
When they hear my rhymes, their body and mind become weak and overwhelmed
Dissasembling they physical makeup and mental health
My rhymes break them down physically and mentally
Gettin one step closer to oblivion your chest begins giving in
My rhymes bring them closer to oblivion, and they feel it in their chest
There's no avenging your death on the microphone
Once I defeat you with my rhymes, there's no coming back from it on the microphone
Contributed by Kylie N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.