Ask a casual Hieroglyphics fan to name the best solo album from the collective and you’ll hear I Wish My Brother George Was Here, Deltron 3030, or 93 ’Til Infinity. Rarely will you hear Ascension — Pep Love’s 1999 debut — and that’s a shame. It’s one of the most personal, philosophical, and underappreciated records in the entire Hiero catalog.
Who Is Pep Love?
Pep Love (Pallo Peacock) joined the Hieroglyphics collective in the early 1990s, becoming one of the crew’s most distinctive voices. Where Del specialized in acid-tinged humor and science fiction, and Souls of Mischief anchored themselves in Bay Area street narrative, Pep Love carved out a lane defined by introspection, spirituality, and philosophical depth.
He’s not the most immediately accessible Hiero member. His verses reward attention — themes that seem abstract on first listen reveal layers of meaning on return. This quality defines Ascension entirely.
The Album
Ascension was released in 1999 on Hieroglyphics Imperium, one year after the crew’s landmark 3rd Eye Vision compilation. The timing was not coincidental. The collective was in full independent mode, building out the Hiero Imperium imprint with member solo projects, and Pep Love’s debut was among the first to arrive.
Production-wise, the album leans into the collective’s established sonic palette: jazz-inflected boom bap, warm sampling, and arrangements that serve the MC rather than compete with them. A-Plus, Domino, and Pep Love himself contribute to the production, maintaining the Hiero sound while allowing room for the album’s contemplative mood.
Themes and Tone
Ascension is explicitly concerned with spiritual growth, self-determination, and the search for meaning. These aren’t abstract themes imposed from outside — they’re the natural outgrowth of Pep Love’s actual worldview, which runs through every verse he’s ever written.
The album doesn’t preach. Pep Love doesn’t position himself above the listener. Instead, he’s a fellow traveler documenting the journey in real time — questioning, exploring, and occasionally arriving at something like clarity.
For fans of conscious rap who find the genre too often patronizing, Ascension is a corrective. It’s conscious without being smug.
Essential Tracks
Ascension
The title track is a full statement of purpose. Over a minimal, hypnotic beat, Pep Love articulates his artistic and philosophical mission with rare precision. It’s an opening that establishes expectations the rest of the album honors.
High Definition
A meditation on perception, clarity, and how we construct the world around us. Pep Love’s lyrical density is on full display — this is the track that rewards repeated listens more than any other on the album.
Flower to the People
A more immediate, groove-forward track that shows Pep Love could ride a beat with natural ease when the moment called for it. Don’t let the philosophical depth fool you — this is also a rapper who can move a crowd.
The Hiero Context
Ascension is often overlooked because it was released the year after 3rd Eye Vision — a difficult position for any follow-up. The crew record set a standard that most solo efforts couldn’t match on pure star power alone.
But Ascension isn’t trying to match 3rd Eye Vision on those terms. It’s a more intimate, inward-facing record — one that rewards listeners who want something from hip-hop beyond showcase performances and crew energy.
Stream and Support
Available on streaming platforms and Bandcamp. If you’ve exhausted the obvious Hiero catalog and want to go deeper, start here.