Check out his name: Del Tha Funkee Homosapien. It speaks loudly.
The emcee has likewise spoken up to define himself in the hip-hop scene before anyone else could pin him down. Now an icon of alternative rap, Del, or Teren Delvon Jones, goes beyond writing unconventional lyrics. He produces rhythm and rhyme with creative value. In short, the man is a self-proclaimed, critically-affirmed artist. Still, Del keeps an open ear to different styles and bridges the stereotype of pretentiousness placed upon musicians met with artistic acclaim.
“If it’s good music, it’s good music,” said Del. “I don’t care if it’s rapping leprechauns; I’m gonna tie those rappin’ leprechauns up everywhere.”
Del parted ways with cousin Ice Cube’s influence in the mid-1990s to represent his own style. The entrepreneur emcee joined underground hip-hop crew Hieroglyphics and has been collaborating or soloing ever since. Del clarified what listeners can expect and forget about from the “The 11th Hour,” the upcoming album: “Improved music. Quality is the main thing; I feel like the music’s been improved,” said Del. “Don’t expect anything related to ‘Deltron3030’ or Gorillas – that’s a creation.”
This may disappoint fans of the album “Deltron 3030,” a production that created a swell of praise transcending critics of the hip-hop genre. The album combined one producer (Dan the Automator), one DJ (Kid Koala) and one emcee (Del Tha Funkee Homosapien). The mix spit out an album set in the far future, where alter ego Del Zero battles universally powerful corporations with lyrical weaponry.
The use of pseudonyms, like those used in “Deltron3030,” surface commonly within the hip-hop scene as musicians work on new projects. “It’s just another way of being creative. We’re artists. We aren’t just going to be static and put things on a silver plate,” said Del. “It’s kind of the same thing in a different light – it’s a way to play with language.”
Though “The 11th Hour” will vocalize Del Tha Funkee Homosapien instead of an experimental alias, listeners should still expect creative tracks given the artist’s innovative history as a musician. “Del Tha Funkee Homosapien is who I am,” he said. “I want to define myself before anyone else has a chance.”
The theme of independence has manifested in Del’s lyrical talent by mixing humor and intelligence. He’s mastered the art of creative dissin’ with straight-up self-defense verses. But Del doesn’t stick to one style. Imagination has sparked the rapper’s evolution as an emcee and producer. He grew up in Oakland, Calif., where his career began as a professional emcee. The Bay Area lifestyle heavily influenced Del’s earlier releases. “I’ve lived enough to keep writing stories and rapping till I die,” said Del. “I could be removed from it (the streets of Oakland) but even if I’m removed from it I could imagine the rest.”
Del writes more than lyrics. He heavily involves himself in the musical production. Before writing words, the rapper creates a musical motif. “Usually I come up with some sort of musical phrase or rhythm, like a drum beat or a phrase going on in my head,” he said. “Either I start with melody or sometimes start with harmony. Harmony implies more fullness so I usually try and start with that.”
This immersion in the process of musical production has earned Del artistic merit. The lines of separation dividing underground hip-hop and mainstream rap appear definite, like the dichotomy between high art and pop art. Fans and critics often lump Del into the stereotype of underground hip-hop artists who despise the mainstream. While Del promotes independence in his lyrics, he doesn’t discount musicians who rap about the streets but live in high-fashion.
“Just because you aren’t there no more doesn’t mean you don’t remember. You want to get somewhere that’s better for you so you have a cool head and shit can happen,” he said. “No one wants to be in a situation where it’s hella harsh.”
The rapper has shown his criticisms of the industry are executed with open eyes. After breaking away from those who would try to mold his musical career, Del has decisively molded himself. “I’m an artist. I’m creative. I’m pretty intelligent.”
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