News from the Hiero crew
A-Plus (Adam Carter) occupies a unique position in Hieroglyphics history: he is simultaneously one of four MCs in Souls of Mischief and the primary producer behind the group's foundational sound. On '93 'til Infinity, he built the beats and rapped over them — a dual role that required him to think about production and…
Of all the Hieroglyphics members, Pep Love has always been the most overtly spiritual. His approach to hip-hop is meditative and philosophical — he writes from a place of inner reflection that connects to the West African and pan-African spiritual traditions that run through Oakland's Black cultural community. Thirty-plus years into his career, his…
When people talk about Souls of Mischief, the conversation usually centers on Tajai and A-Plus — the two MCs who have been most active in press, interviews, and solo projects. But any honest accounting of what makes the group extraordinary has to reckon with Opio and Phesto, whose contributions are essential to the quartet's…
Buying Hieroglyphics merch is one of the most direct ways to support 100% artist-owned independent hip-hop. Every purchase from the official Hiero store goes directly to the artists — no label taking a cut, no corporate entity skimming off the top. Here's how to navigate the merch ecosystem and what to look for. The…
Every great live hip-hop act has a DJ who makes it possible. For Hieroglyphics, that's DJ Toure — the turntablist and DJ who has held down the live show for the collective through decades of touring, from Oakland clubs to Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The DJ's Role in a Hip-Hop Live Show A hip-hop DJ…
In any collective, some artists build the foundation. Domino is that artist for Hieroglyphics — a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and MC whose contribution to the crew's sound runs deeper than any individual track or album credit suggests. Origins Domino was born Shawn Ivy and grew up in Oakland, California, where he became part of the…
Hiero Family is the fan membership program launching in 2026 for Hieroglyphics Imperium. It's a direct-to-fan connection between Hiero artists and the people who have supported their music for decades — or just discovered it last week. Here's what the Hiero Family program offers and why it's worth getting on the list now. What…
Pep Love released Acres of Diamonds in 2025 on vinyl and cassette only — no streaming, no digital. A deliberate choice from one of Hiero’s most thoughtful MCs.
Casual's new album Black Magic dropped February 2026. The lead single "It's Big" is out now on Spotify — 15 tracks of pure Oakland hip-hop from the Hieroglyphics Imperium founding member.
Among the four MCs of Souls of Mischief, Phesto Dee flies the lowest under the radar — but his technical precision and lyrical density rival anyone in the underground.