If someone just handed you a copy of 93 ’til Infinity and told you to figure it out yourself, welcome to the club. Hieroglyphics is one of the most rewarding rabbit holes in hip-hop — but the catalog is deep, the crew is large, and knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming. This guide is for you.
Who Is Hieroglyphics?
Hieroglyphics is an Oakland-based hip-hop collective that has been operating independently since the early 1990s. The crew was founded around Del tha Funkee Homosapien, whose debut album I Wish My Brother George Was Here (1991) introduced his left-field lyricism and eccentric production sensibility to the world. From there, the collective took shape.
At its core, Hiero is built around several distinct artists and groups:
- Del tha Funkee Homosapien — The creative anchor of the crew. Born Teren Delvon Jones, Del is known for abstract rhyme patterns, sci-fi themes, and a prolific solo career alongside his work with Gorillaz.
- Souls of Mischief — The quartet of Tajai, A-Plus, Opio, and Phesto brought smooth jazz-infused boom-bap to the forefront with 93 ’til Infinity. Their chemistry is unmatched.
- Casual — Born Jonathan Owens, Casual is a ferocious battle rapper whose debut Fear Itself was an underground classic.
- Pep Love — Born Pallo Peacock, Pep Love is one of Hiero’s most versatile and spiritually-minded MCs, known for introspective lyricism and incredible stage presence.
- Domino — A producer and MC whose work on 3rd Eye Vision remains some of the most distinctive in the catalog.
- DJ Toure — Born Toure Duncan, DJ Toure is the crew’s turntablist and live performance backbone, holding down the stage for decades.
Together, these artists operate under Hiero Imperium Records — a fully independent, artist-owned label that gives the collective complete creative and financial control over their music. That ownership ethos isn’t just a business model; it’s central to who they are. Learn more on the Hiero About page.
3 Albums to Start With
1. Souls of Mischief — 93 ’til Infinity (1993)
This is the entry point. Few debut albums in hip-hop history arrive as fully formed as 93 ’til Infinity. Built on a loping jazz loop that still sounds futuristic decades later, Tajai, A-Plus, Opio, and Phesto trade bars with a casual confidence that belies their age at the time of recording. The title track alone is enough to make you a fan for life. Start here, no question.
2. Hieroglyphics — 3rd Eye Vision (1998)
The collective’s first full-crew album is where the whole picture comes into focus. Every Hiero member appears, production is handled by Del, Domino, A-Plus, and others, and the result is a cohesive statement of purpose. Tracks like You Never Knew, At the Helm, and Hiero’s Here show the crew at peak chemistry. If 93 ’til Infinity is the introduction, 3rd Eye Vision is the full handshake.
3. Del tha Funkee Homosapien & Dan the Automator — Deltron 3030 (2000)
Technically a Del side project with producer Dan the Automator and turntablist Kid Koala, Deltron 3030 is a concept album set 1,000 years in the future. It showcases Del’s sci-fi worldbuilding at its most ambitious and remains one of the most creative records in the entire West Coast underground canon. Essential listening.
Essential Songs to Bookmark Now
- “93 ’til Infinity” — Souls of Mischief
- “That’s When Ya Lost” — Souls of Mischief
- “Mistadobalina” — Del tha Funkee Homosapien
- “Hiero’s Here” — Hieroglyphics
- “You Never Knew” — Hieroglyphics
- “At the Helm” — Hieroglyphics
- “Clint Eastwood” — Gorillaz ft. Del tha Funkee Homosapien
- “Fear Itself” — Casual
- “Turbulence” — Del tha Funkee Homosapien
- “Pushin’ Weight” — Hieroglyphics
What Makes Hieroglyphics Different
In an era when major labels dominated hip-hop and artist ownership was practically unheard of, Hieroglyphics built something rare: a self-sustaining independent operation that has lasted more than three decades. Hiero Imperium Records means the crew owns their masters, controls their releases, and answers to no one but their audience.
That independence has also produced a creative consistency that’s hard to find elsewhere. Unlike crews held together by label deals or industry trends, Hiero is held together by genuine friendship, shared values, and a commitment to the art form. Members have pursued solo careers, collaborated with artists outside the crew, and evolved their sounds — but the collective has never fractured.
Every year, that community comes to life at Hiero Day, a free outdoor festival in Oakland that draws approximately 8,500 attendees. It’s one of hip-hop’s great grassroots events — a celebration of the city, the culture, and the fans who’ve kept the movement alive.
What to Do Next
Once you’ve worked through the three starter albums and the essential songs list, you’re ready to go deeper. Explore Casual’s Fear Itself, Del’s Both Sides of the Brain, Souls of Mischief’s No Man’s Land, and Pep Love’s solo catalog. Each Hiero member has a rich body of work that rewards patient listening.
You can also learn more about the crew’s history and ethos on the About page.
And if you’re ready to go all in — join the community that’s been supporting this movement since day one. The Hiero Family membership gives you access to presales, exclusive content, and a direct line to everything the crew is building. This is independent hip-hop — your support is what keeps it alive.