Hieroglyphics (group)
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Hieroglyphics, also known as the Hieroglyphics Crew and Hiero, are an American underground hip hop collective based in Oakland, California. The collective was founded in the early-1990s by rapper Del tha Funkee Homosapien. The Hieroglypics are considered by many to be hip hop visionaries, combining fundamentally sound deliveries and intelligent lyrical content with smooth, original and sometimes jazzy or funky beats and samples.[1] Since their inception, Hieroglyphics have amassed a dedicated following of die-hard fans largely through their live concerts, podcasts ("Hierocasts"), and promotion through the collective's own website.[2] The collective is also known for its ubiquitous, three-eyed, straight-lipped face logo that figures prominently on their albums, website, stickers, and clothing (worn by both the collective's members, as well as fans).[3]
MembersThe founding members of the Hieroglyphics are rappers Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Snupe (who left the group shortly before the release of the collective's debut album, 3rd Eye Vision), Casual, Pep Love, Souls of Mischief (A-Plus, Tajai, Opio, and Phesto), DJ/producer Jay-Biz, DJ Toure, and manager/producer Domino. In 2005, New York-based underground rapper O.C. was officially signed to the collective's self-owned independent record label, Hieroglyphics Imperium Recordings, becoming the first East coast rapper signed to the label. Other "Hiero-affiliated" artists include the conceptual group, SupremeEx, rappers Beeda Weeda, Encore and Z-Man, R&B/soul music singer, Goapele, as well as heavy metal band, A Band Called Pain. HistoryMost of the members of the collective have known each other since childhood. Casual was in kindergarten with A-Plus, while Tajai, Del, and Casual all attended the same elementary school in Oakland.[4] Each of the individual members had their own solo rap careers, or had careers with smaller groups such as Souls of Mischief (A-Plus, Opio, Phesto, and Tajai) and The Prose (Pep Love, Jay-Biz), and were signed to major labels.[4] In 1995, after each individual member or group of the collective were dropped from their respective major label contracts, the collective officially came together, formed their own independent record label, Hieroglyphics Imperium Recordings, and began publishing and releasing music from both the collective, and other sub-groups and associated artists.[5] In a 2006 interview, Casual discussed the founding of the collective's label:
The collective's live shows have been described as "high-octane," and contribute to the Hiero's cult following among a worldwide audience.[1] Relationship with fansIn 1995, Yameen Friedberg, also known by his alias, "StinkE", a 16 year old Hiero fan from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, created a fan web site about the Hieroglyphics. Hiero member Tajai happened upon the website, contacted Stinke, and Stinke became the webmaster of the collective's website from 1995 to 2001. The site became the cornerstone of Hieroglyphics' independent birth, uniting fans with members of the group; a pioneering idea in 1995. The site would go on to win numerous awards and received high praises and press, in tandem spurring the creation of the Hieroglyphics Imperium record label.[citation needed] LogoImage:Hiero logo.JPG
Hieroglyphics' logo
The collective's ubiquitous, third eye logo was created by Del tha Funkee Homosapien, the son of an abstract artist, and has been used to promote the collective through reproduction on the Hieroglyphic's album covers, website, promotional materials, stickers, and clothing.[3] In a 2000 interview with the SF Weekly, Del commented:
The Clerks comic in question was drawn by underground comic artist Jim Mahfood who has worked various rap and hip hop items into his work over his career and has had his live art shows compared to hip hop musicians. In an interview with halftimeonline in 2004, Mahfood mentioned Del and the Hieroglyphics by name:
DiscographyAs a collective, the Hieroglyphics have released two studio albums: 3rd Eye Vision in 1998, and Full Circle in 2003. In 2005, the collective released a live DVD and accompanying CD of the Hiero's 2003 Full Circle Tour. The collective has also released five compilation albums: Hieroglyphics B-Sides and Hieroglyphics Oldies, Vol. I in 1997, Hieroglyphics Oldies, Vol. II in 1998, The Building in 2004, The Corner in 2005, and most recently, Over Time, in March, 2007. Individual Hiero members have released several albums of their own, either through solo projects or outside group projects, all released on the collective's own label, and available for purchase through the collective's website. Studio albums
Live albums
Compilation albums
References
External links
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