Guides, lists, and explainers for Hiero fans old and new
The Hieroglyphics eye logo is one of hip-hop's most distinctive visual symbols. The single eye — rendered in the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic tradition, stylized for late-twentieth-century Oakland — appears on album covers, merchandise, stage backdrops, and tattooed on the arms of fans who have carried the Hiero ethos with them for decades. Here's what…
In 2001, Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett's animated virtual band Gorillaz released "Clint Eastwood" — a number four UK hit built around a Del tha Funkee Homosapien verse and hook. Millions of people who had never heard of Hieroglyphics or Oakland underground hip-hop were suddenly learning Del's name. For many listeners worldwide, "Clint Eastwood"…
The Red Rocks 2026 show is stacking four legendary acts on one of the world's most spectacular outdoor stages. Here's what you need to know about each act on the bill and why this combination specifically makes sense. Hieroglyphics Imperium The Oakland-based collective anchoring the show. Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Souls of Mischief (Tajai,…
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…
You've heard the name — maybe through Gorillaz, maybe through a sample, maybe because someone handed you a copy of '93 'til Infinity and told you to listen. Wherever you're starting from, welcome. Hieroglyphics is one of hip-hop's most rewarding catalogs, and this guide will help you navigate it. Start Here: The Three Essential…
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…
In the year 2030, a soldier named Deltron Zero fights for the survival of humanity against a dystopian empire. This is not a Marvel film. It's a hip-hop album made in the year 2000 by Del tha Funkee Homosapien, producer Dan the Automator, and turntablist Kid Koala — and it remains one of the…
Hiero Day is the annual festival that Hieroglyphics Imperium throws in their home city of Oakland, California. Since its launch in 2012, it's grown from a local celebration into one of the Bay Area's most beloved summer music events — drawing around 8,500 fans each year for a full-day celebration of golden age hip-hop,…
In 1995, Del tha Funkee Homosapien and the artists around him did something radical: they built a record label that the artists actually owned. Hieroglyphics Imperium was founded in Oakland, California, as a direct response to the exploitative structures of the major label system. Thirty years later, it's still standing — and still 100%…
Hieroglyphics are out here in 2026, performing at some of the most iconic venues in the country. If you've never seen them live — or if it's been years — this is the year to make it happen. Here's everything you need to know about catching Hiero on stage in 2026. Red Rocks Amphitheatre…