Hieroglyphics Imperium
100% Artist-Owned. Oakland, CA. Est. 1993.
Who We Are
Hieroglyphics — known to the world simply as “Hiero” — is one of hip-hop’s most enduring independent crews. Born in the Bay Area and rooted in Oakland, California, the collective formed around a shared commitment to lyrical excellence, artistic integrity, and complete ownership of their work. Since 1993, they have operated Hieroglyphics Imperium, a 100% artist-owned independent record label — one of the first of its kind in hip-hop.
With over 245,000 monthly Spotify listeners and decades of influence spanning West Coast hip-hop, underground rap, and independent music business, Hiero remains as relevant today as when Souls of Mischief dropped 93 ’til Infinity.
The History
- 1993 — Souls of Mischief release 93 ’til Infinity on Jive Records, immediately establishing the crew’s place in hip-hop canon. The title track remains one of the most sampled and beloved records in the genre.
- 1993 — Hieroglyphics Imperium is founded as an independent label, artist-owned from day one.
- 1998 — 3rd Eye Vision, the first full Hieroglyphics Imperium label release, arrives as a landmark West Coast hip-hop album featuring the entire collective.
- 2000 — Del tha Funkee Homosapien releases Deltron 3030 (as Deltron 3030, with Dan the Automator and Kid Koala) — a sci-fi concept album that earns near-universal critical acclaim and a cult following that persists to this day.
- 2003 — Full Circle, the crew’s second collective album, released on Hieroglyphics Imperium.
- 2007 — The Kitchen released, continuing the label’s prolific output.
- 2010s — Hiero Day, the annual free festival in Oakland, grows to ~8,500 attendees, celebrating Oakland culture and hip-hop independence on Labor Day Weekend.
- 2026 — Hiero performs Red Rocks Amphitheatre (with Cypress Hill, Method Man & Redman, De La Soul), continuing their legacy as a live force.
The Crew
Del tha Funkee Homosapien
The founding force of Hieroglyphics, Del (born Teren Delvon Jones) is one of West Coast hip-hop’s most inventive and influential MCs. Raised in Oakland and a cousin of Ice Cube, Del built a reputation for abstract, rapid-fire lyricism and unconventional subject matter. His debut album I Wish My Brother George Was Here (1991) announced an entirely new voice in rap. Through the Deltron 3030 project, Del helped pioneer hip-hop’s engagement with science fiction and conceptual storytelling. He remains a singular creative force in underground hip-hop.
Souls of Mischief — Tajai, A-Plus, Opio, Phesto
The four MCs of Souls of Mischief — Tajai Massey, Adam Carter (A-Plus), Opio Lindsey, and Phesto Dee — grew up together in East Oakland and formed one of hip-hop’s tightest, most respected quartets. Their 1993 debut 93 ’til Infinity is perennially cited among the greatest hip-hop albums ever recorded. Known for impossibly smooth flows over jazz-inflected beats, Souls of Mischief continue to record and perform three decades after their debut, releasing music that holds up against anything in the genre.
Casual
Casual (Durrell Lamont Babbs) was among the earliest members of the Hiero collective, releasing his debut Fear Itself on Jive Records in 1994. A seasoned battle-rap veteran and lyrical technician, Casual brings a sharp, witty pen and commanding presence to his work. He continues to record and perform as a core Hiero member.
Pep Love
Pep Love (Demetrius Wiggins) joined the Hiero family in the early 1990s and has been a consistent presence on Hiero releases for over three decades. Known for his philosophical approach to rap and deeply personal lyricism, Pep Love’s debut Ascension (1999) is a cult classic in the Hiero catalog.
Domino
Domino (Shawn Ivy) is the in-house producer, MC, and sonic architect of Hieroglyphics Imperium. A veteran behind the boards and on the mic, Domino has shaped the Hiero sound for decades, contributing production across the catalog while also releasing solo material. His work blends Oakland street sensibility with sophisticated musicality.
DJ Toure
DJ Toure is Hieroglyphics’ official DJ, tour DJ, and a key part of the crew’s live show. A skilled turntablist and selector, Toure has traveled the world with Hiero, holding down the DJ role at concerts, Hiero Day, and special events for years. He’s the glue on stage and in the studio.