I forgot my favourite man sittin’ over there

The unforgettable opening to an unbelievable tune, Del the Funkee Homosapien's “mistadobalina”, from 1991's killer album “I Wish My Brother George Was Here”. Take this along with the great 1993 offering from fellow Hieroglyphics crew members the mighty Souls of Mischief's “93 Til Infinity”, and I’m sure you have two records that mean a lot to many of our generation’s rap upbringings. And indeed, in my case the former of these albums particularly, marked something of a watershed in the development of my own fledgling tastes. Nothing too dramatic, but I always remember an increasing love for this record as marking a distinct step in cementing hip-hop as a first in my musical affections.

The shift was subtle, but like I say it is an album that brings back fond memories of a happy discovery of the great feeling that comes with hearing the creativity and invention of good lyricism over dope beats. The fact that Del was Ice Cube's cousin, the rapper who up until that time had been my hero on the mic, only served to bolster the sense of affinity with the album, especially as Cube took Executive Producer credits. From standout offerings such as the brilliantly off-beat “mistadobalina” (believe it or not a critique of capitalism and rampant money-making as an ethos), to the funk of “Pissin’ On Your Steps”, the quirks of “Sleeping On My Couch” and the brilliant story-telling of “Wacky World of rapid ransit”, the album is a more laidback approach to life on the West Coast.

A formula soon to produce other classic for the likes of the afore-mentioned Souls of Mischief, Freestyle Fellowship, the Pharcyde, and on into the likes of the Coup or Jurassic 5. Indeed Del’s influence on this scene, and thus on rap more generally is perhaps often criminally over-looked, especially given his refusal to pigeon-hole himself stylistically, creatively or musically. And as you will know Del has been far from inactive since this 1991 opening salvo. Of his solo albums however, coming in between record company wrangles and psychedelic adventures, the best is ironically perhaps a collaborative concept album. “Deltron 3030” released in 2000 was, and still is, an outstanding record, combining the considerable talents of Dan the Automator, Kid Koala and Del.

The cinematic, futuristic comic book tale of hip-hop heroism against flagrant capitalism and corporate dominance in the year 3030 (see a pattern?), imminently to be re-released, is a proud member of the list of the best hip-hop records of all time. Not top of the list, but solidly entrenched nonetheless. And in many ways remains ahead of its time, for production quality, diversity of beats and downright vision. A follow-up has been slated for release for the last couple of years, but is yet to see the light of day, but for me “Deltron 3030” is one of those hip-hop albums that transcends its genre somewhat, to stand alone as a significant record of itself.

There is of course, plenty more to praise about Del’s career thus far, not least his recent return to solo work with “11th Hour” after an 8 year hiatus, on the always interesting Definitive Jux Records. In the meantime he has gone platinum with cartoon concept band Gorillaz, incredibly writing smash hit “Clint Eastwood” using a formula from a free book he got through coupons from his mother entitled “How To Write A Hit Song”. But whether following a formula, or more usually just pushing at the creative limits imposed by outsiders, Del is always Funkee, but more importantly always one evolutionary homosapien.