Souls of Mischief — Tajai, A-Plus, Opio, and Phesto — have been releasing music together since 1993. Across 93 ’til Infinity, No Man’s Land, Montezuma’s Revenge, There Is Only Now, and their collaborative work within the Hieroglyphics collective, they have built one of the deepest verse catalogs in underground hip-hop. This list is subjective and necessarily incomplete — but these are the verses that hold up on every listen.
A-Plus — “93 ’til Infinity” (opener verse)
A-Plus opens the most famous Souls of Mischief track with a verse that established the group’s sonic identity in four bars. His delivery is simultaneously relaxed and precise — a combination that sounds easy and is extremely difficult to execute. The rhythm of his phrasing on this verse set a template that dozens of subsequent rappers attempted to copy.
Tajai — “A to the K” (from 93 ’til Infinity)
Tajai is the group’s intellectual anchor, and this verse demonstrates why. Dense internal rhyme schemes, conceptual focus, and a delivery that suggests he could keep going for another two minutes without breaking a sweat. His voice — deeper and more authoritative than the other members — gives his verses a weight that balances the group’s overall lightness.
Opio — “No Man’s Land” (title track)
Opio’s verse on the No Man’s Land title track is his defining recorded moment. He is often cited as the group’s most underrated member, and this verse is the primary evidence. His flow is understated but perfectly timed, and his imagery is specific and original in a way that rewards close listening.
Phesto — “Cab Fare” (from 93 ’til Infinity)
Phesto’s contributions are consistently the group’s most technically complex, and this verse is a showcase. His multisyllabic rhyme schemes are intricate without feeling forced, which is harder to achieve than it appears. He is the most overlooked member of Souls of Mischief in general critical reception, which makes revisiting these verses a useful corrective.
A-Plus — “That’s When Ya Lost” (from 93 ’til Infinity)
A second A-Plus entry because his work on this track is different in character from the opener. Where “93 ’til Infinity” opens with laid-back confidence, this verse has more edge — A-Plus demonstrating that the relaxed delivery is a choice, not a limitation.
Tajai — “There Is Only Now” (2014)
The group’s 2014 comeback album got less attention than it deserved, and Tajai’s verses throughout it are among his best recorded work. Two decades into his career, he sounds sharper and more focused than ever. This verse in particular is a reminder that longevity in underground hip-hop is not just about surviving — it is about improving.
Opio — “Step to My Girl” (from 93 ’til Infinity)
A different mode for Opio — lighter, more playful, demonstrating the group’s range within a single album. The best Souls of Mischief tracks move between modes without feeling inconsistent, and Opio’s versatility is a large part of why that works.
Where to Start
New to Souls of Mischief? The listening order is: 93 ’til Infinity first, then No Man’s Land, then back to the Hieroglyphics collective albums to hear them alongside Del, Casual, and Pep Love. Stream on Spotify or buy physical copies at shophiero.com.