Del the Funky Homosapien: Both Sides Of The Brain (2LP, 25th anniversary) [HIEROGLYPHICS IMPERIUM]

Why you'll love it

This 25th anniversary reissue spreads the album across two LPs. It came out on Hieroglyphics Imperium, the label Del and his crew built themselves, and reached No. 2 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart.

This edition

• 2LP set
• 25th anniversary edition
• Stereo mix

About the album

Some rappers count bars; Del the Funky Homosapien seems to collect syllables. The Oakland MC, cousin of Ice Cube, came up writing for Da Lench Mob, scored early with "Mistadobalina," helped launch the Hieroglyphics crew, and by 2000 he was producing much of his own music. Both Sides of the Brain, his fourth solo album, is the sound of a man with a lot of ideas and the freedom to use every one.

Del shares production with Casual, Domino, El-P, Prince Paul, Khaos Unique and A-Plus. "Jaw Gymnastics" with Casual lives up to its name, El-P turns up on "Offspring," Khaos Unique joins "Proto Culture," and A-Plus of Souls of Mischief closes things out on "Stay on Your Toes." Elsewhere "Press Rewind," "Pet Peeves" and "Signature Slogans" show off Del's quick wit and loopy, offbeat humour over funky, off-kilter beats.

Robert Christgau gave it an A minus. The same year Del made Deltron 3030 with Dan the Automator and Kid Koala, and a year later he was the voice on Gorillaz' "Clint Eastwood," while the rest of us were still working out how to burn a CD.

Also at Kops: more Del the Funky Homosapien on vinyl · browse Hip Hop / R&B

Tracklist

Listen

On Hieroglyphics Imperium (cat# HIE25005), a reissue of the 2000 album.