Five years after 3rd Eye Vision changed the game, Hieroglyphics returned with their second crew album. Full Circle (2003) arrived in a different landscape — the independent hip-hop world had expanded, the internet was reshaping music distribution, and Hiero’s collective had continued to evolve as individual artists. The result is a record that deserves far more attention than it typically receives.
Context: Five Years of Growth
Between 3rd Eye Vision (1998) and Full Circle (2003), the Hiero collective had been anything but idle. Del released Both Sides of the Brain (2000) and the landmark Deltron 3030 (2000). Souls of Mischief dropped Hiero Imperium (1998). Pep Love released Ascension (1999). The collective had deepened its catalog and sharpened its individual voices considerably.
When they reconvened for Full Circle, all of that individual development fed back into the crew project. The result is a more sonically mature, musically diverse record than its predecessor.
The Sound
Production on Full Circle is more varied than 3rd Eye Vision — the boom-bap foundation remains, but the album incorporates more live elements, broader sonic textures, and a willingness to experiment that reflects the collective’s five years of growth. A-Plus, Domino, and Del all contribute heavily to the boards, as they did on the debut crew record.
The album runs tighter than 3rd Eye Vision’s sprawling 22 tracks. There’s less of the extended-crew-showcase energy and more deliberate song-level craftsmanship.
Standout Moments
The Opener
Full Circle announces itself with confidence. The opening sequence establishes the album’s improved production quality and signals that five years have sharpened rather than dulled the collective.
Del at His Most Fluid
Del’s contributions to Full Circle are among his most effortlessly executed crew-context performances. Coming off the technical intensity of Deltron 3030, he arrives here with something looser and more groove-oriented — proof of range.
Souls of Mischief in Full Form
By 2003, the four members of Souls of Mischief had developed further as individual voices. Their contributions to Full Circle reflect that growth, with tighter tag-team sequences and more confident individual statements.
Why It Gets Overlooked
Full Circle had the misfortune of arriving in 2003, a year when mainstream hip-hop was at its commercial peak and underground rap was struggling for attention. Critical coverage was limited. Without the benefit of hindsight that elevated 3rd Eye Vision’s reputation, Full Circle never got the second-look it deserved.
It also has the classic “middle child” problem for crew records: it sits between the landmark debut (3rd Eye Vision) and the ongoing catalog. Debut albums carry the weight of discovery. Subsequent records require critics to do more work, and in 2003, that work didn’t get done at scale.
The Reassessment
Fans who dig into Full Circle after discovering the broader Hiero catalog consistently cite it as a pleasant surprise — a record with more to offer than its reputation suggests. If you’ve exhausted 3rd Eye Vision and the individual albums and want more crew material, this is your next stop.
Stream and Buy
Available on major streaming platforms and Bandcamp. Support the crew directly when you can.