Hieroglyphics (group)

Hieroglyphics
Background information
Also known as Hieroglyphics Crew, Hiero
Origin Oakland, California, USA
Genres Hip Hop
Years active 1991 - present
Labels Hieroglyphics Imperium
Associated acts Extra Prolific, Souls of Mischief
Website Hieroglyphics.com
Members Casual
Del tha Funkee Homosapien
Domino
Pep Love
A-Plus
Opio
Tajai
Phesto
DJ Toure
Past members Snupe
Mike G
Jay-Biz

Hieroglyphics, also known as the Hieroglyphics Crew and Hiero, are an American underground hip hop collective based in Oakland, California. The collective was founded in the early-1990s by rapper Del tha Funkee Homosapien. The collective is currently composed of rappers Del the Funky Homosapien, Casual, Pep Love, producer/manager Domino, DJ Toure, and the four individual members of the rap group Souls of Mischief: Phesto, A-Plus, Opio, and Tajai.

The Hieroglyphics combine fundamentally sound deliveries and lyrical content with original and sometimes jazzy or funky beats and samples.[1] Since their inception, Hieroglyphics have found a following largely through their live concerts, podcasts ("Hierocasts"), and promotion through their website.[2]

The collective uses a three-eyed, straight-lipped face logo that figures prominently on their albums, website, stickers, and clothing.[3]

History

As a collective, the Hieroglyphics have released three studio albums: 3rd Eye Vision in 1998, Full Circle in 2003, and The Kitchen in 2013.

In 2005, the collective released a live DVD and accompanying CD of the Hiero's 2003 Full Circle Tour.

The collective has also released five compilation albums: Hieroglyphics B-Sides and Hieroglyphics Oldies, Vol. I in 1997, Hieroglyphics Oldies, Vol. II in 1998, The Building in 2004, The Corner in 2005, and most recently, Over Time, in March 2007.

Individual members of the collective have also released albums of their own, either through solo projects or outside group projects.

Logo

Hieroglyphics' Logo

The collective's ubiquitous, third eye logo is the Mayan numerical for 8, also used as a symbol for infinite. Created by Del tha Funkee Homosapien, the son of an abstract artist and has been used to promote the collective through reproduction on the Hieroglyphic's album covers, website, promotional materials, stickers, and clothing.[3]

In a 2000 interview with the SF Weekly, Del commented:

“ When I invented that symbol, I never thought it would get this big. I've seen about 20 people with that tattoo. I saw a comic book -- like Clerks or something -- and one of the fools in there had a Hiero shirt on. I saw a Redman and Method Man video, and there's somebody in the crowd with a Hiero shirt on. I think slowly but surely people are starting to pay attention to us.[3] ”

The Clerks comic in question was drawn by underground comic artist Jim Mahfood who has worked various rap and hip hop items into his work over his career and has had his live art shows compared to hip hop musicians. In an interview with halftimeonline.net in 2004, Mahfood mentioned Del and the Hieroglyphics by name:

“ Working in comics, especially the way I do, is totally comparable to an underground emcee or rap crew because you can actually make a living off of it without selling out or compromising your vision. Some of my heroes are Del The Funkee Homosapien from the Hieroglyphics crew, Jurassic 5, or my homeboy Z-Trip are all people who have developed a following for doing something really specific.[4] ”

It was also in Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead in Issue #5. One of the characters, Glenn, wore a shirt with the logo on it when the survivors were having target practice. Glenn also wears the shirt in the first episode of the Walking Dead video game series.

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album Peak chart positions[5]
U.S. U.S. R&B U.S. Heat
1998 3rd Eye Vision — 88 26
2003 Full Circle
  • Released: October 7, 2003
  • Label: Hieroglyphics Imperium
 155 53 7
2013 The Kitchen
  • Released: July 16, 2013[6]
  • Label: Hieroglyphics Imperium
 — — —

Live albums

Year Album
2005 Full Circle Tour
  • Released: April 19, 2005

Compilation albums

Year Album
1997 Hieroglyphics B-Sides
  • Released: 1997
1997 Hieroglyphics Oldies, Vol. I
  • Released: 1997
1998 Hieroglyphics Oldies, Vol. II
  • Released: 1998
2004 The Building
  • Released: 2004
2005 The Corner
  • Released: September 20, 2005
2007 Over Time
  • Released: March 20, 2007

Singles

Year Song Album
1999 "You Never Knew" 3rd Eye Vision
2002 "Hydra, G.U.O.M.D, Think Again" One Big Trip
2003 "Make Your Move" (featuring Goapele) Full Circle
2013 "Gun Fever" The Kitchen

References

  1. ↑ One Line (2005-05-24). "Hieroglyphics: Full Circle Tour - RapReviews DVD Review". RapReviews.com. Retrieved 2007-01-27.
  2. ↑ Maniaci, Paul (2006-09-03). "Domino Profile". The Career Cookbook. Retrieved 2007-01-27.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Keast, Darren (2000-03-01). "Having it Both Ways: Del the Funky Homosapien has moved out of the shadow of his famous cousin - and every musical cliché - to help lead Bay Area hip hop". SFWeekly.com. Retrieved 2007-01-27.
  4. ↑ Halftimeonline.net (2004-01-15). "Hip Hop and Comics Vol.2: Jim Mahfood (Grrl Scouts)". HalftimeOnline.net. Retrieved 2007-08-28.
  5. ↑ Steve Huey. "Hieroglyphics - Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-04-03.
  6. ↑ Paul Martinez (2013-07-16). "Hieroglyphics "The Kitchen" Tracklist, Cover Art & Album Stream". Hiphopdx.com. Retrieved 2015-04-03.

External links