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Del the Funky Homosapien

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Del the Funky Homosapien is the stage name of Teren Delvon Jones, an American rapper from Oakland, California, born in 1972. He is a cousin of the West Coast rapper Ice Cube and began his career writing lyrics for Da Lench Mob, Ice Cube's group. In 1991, with Ice Cube's help, he released his first solo album, I Wish My Brother George Was Here, when he was nineteen.

Music and breakthrough

With No Need for Alarm in 1993 the Oakland collective Hieroglyphics came to attention, which included Souls of Mischief, Casual, Pep Love, Del and the producer Domino. The group drew attention both to the regional sound of Oakland and to the freestyle rap of the golden age of the 1990s. After a break of several years Del lost his contract with Elektra, and with his group he founded his own label, Hieroglyphics Imperium Recordings. In 2000 Both Sides of the Brain followed, and he worked on Deltron 3030 with Dan the Automator and Kid Koala. He was also a guest rapper on Gorillaz's first album in 2001, including on Clint Eastwood. Later he released Eleventh Hour in 2008, among other records, and put work online for free.

Influence

Del shows how the independent hip hop of Oakland was able to develop free of the major labels.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to his rap on Clint Eastwood by Gorillaz. Notice how relaxed his voice sounds and how he plays rhythmically with words.

Discography

Studio albums

Categories: Artists