Hieroglyphics

About Hieroglyphics

The year is 2006 and ten years have gone by since the inception of Hiero Imperium, the independent label formed by the effervescent Hieroglyphics Crew (Del The Funky Homosapien, Casual, Pep Love, Domino, and the group, Souls Of Mischief). This crew is one of the first to successfully forge careers as not only invidual artists, but as a collective entity. Sales for the crew and their various projects have sailed well beyond 3 million units, and that's not even including their various tapes, records and cds released in the early days and for tours. Hieroglyphics, or as they are commonly referred to by their fans as HIERO, first emerged on the scene in 1991 with the release from Del of the classic I Wish My Brother George Was Here (Elektra). Soon to follow came the classic releases- Del- No Need For Alarm (1993 Elektra), Soul's debut, 93 Til Infinity (1993, Jive), Casual's Fear Itself (1994, Jive), and Soul's sophomore effort, No Mans Land (1995, Jive). At the end of 1996, armed with their freedom, experience and insight, Hieroglyphics formed their own independent company, Hiero Imperium, and released their first album as a collective unit, Third Eye Vision (Hiero Imperium 1998). While incessantly touring, the crew managed to squeeze out solo efforts over the next few years- Del The Funky Homosapien-Both Sides of the Brain (Hiero Imperium 2000), Souls Of Mischief-Trilogy- Conflict, Climax, Resolution (Hiero Imperium 2000), Pep Love's debut, Ascension (Hiero Imperium 2001) and Casual's He Think He Raw.( Hiero Imperium 2001). The Success of the Hiero Imperium label has enabled them to branch out beyond their own work to expand their musical legacy. In 2002 Hiero released one of the first cd - dvd hybrids to hit the market, One Big Trip, which included the soundtrack on one side, and the movie on the other. Artists within the collective also have collaborated with the likes of- Pharcyde, Dilated Peoples, Q-Tip, Xzibit, George Clinton, Handsome Boy Modeling School and Dan the Automator (Deltron 3030, 75Ark 2000). The most notable of these collaborations was Del's lead vocal performance on Clint Eastwood, the smash single off of the multi-platinum debut album from the Gorillaz. 2003 brought the formation of a brand new distribution branch of Hiero Imperium, showcasing the next wave of classic, innovative and independent artists. Releases have included projects from the soulful vocalist, Goapele-Even Closer (Hiero Imperium 2003), Oakland's , The Delinquent's Town Business (2003), Encore's sophomore release Layover (Hiero Imperium 2004), San Francisco's Z-Man Dope Or Dog Food? (Hiero Imperium 2004), and from DITC member O.C. Smoke And Mirrors (Hiero Imperium 2005). As for the members of Hieroglyphics, they had been in the studio finishing up the follow up collective effort Full Circle(2004) along with the accompanying dvd and live cd from their 2004 tour Full Circle Live(2005). Also dropping from the camp, Casual-Casual Presents- Smash Rockwell (2005)with solo projects from Souls Of Mischief members Tajai-Power Movement (2004), Opio-Triangulation Station (2005). Armed with Fontana as their new distributor, Hiero Imperium is set to finish off their first decade with new material from Del, Pep Love, A-Plus and Souls Of Mischief, along with new artists Beeda Weeda and Shake the Mayor from Tajai's label imprint, Clear Label Records.