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Hieroglyphics (group)

American hip hop collective From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hieroglyphics, also known as the Hieroglyphics Crew and Hiero, is an American underground hip hop collective based in Oakland, California. The group includes founder Del the Funky Homosapien, fellow rappers Casual, Pep Love, and all four members of the group Souls of MischiefPhesto, A-Plus, Opio, and Tajai—as well as DJ Toure and producer/manager Domino.

Also known asHieroglyphics Crew, Hiero
GenresHip hop
Years active1991–present
Quick facts Background information, Also known as ...
Hieroglyphics
Performing in 2025
Performing in 2025
Background information
Also known asHieroglyphics Crew, Hiero
OriginOakland, California, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Years active1991–present
LabelHieroglyphics Imperium
Members
Past members
  • Snupe
  • Mike G
  • Jay-Biz
Websitehieroglyphics.com
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Since their inception, Hieroglyphics have found a following largely through their members, podcasts ("Hierocasts"), and promotion through their website.[1]

The collective uses a three-eyed, straight-lipped face logo that figures prominently on their albums, website, stickers, and clothing.[2]

History

As a collective, the Hieroglyphics have released four studio albums: 3rd Eye Vision in 1998, Full Circle in 2003, The Kitchen in 2013, and "All Said And Done" in 2026

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: Hiero B-Sides and Hiero Oldies Vol. I in 1997, Hiero Oldies Vol. II in 1998, The Building in 2004, The Corner in 2005, and most recently, Over Time, in March 2007.

Individual members of the collective have also released albums of their own, either through solo projects or outside group projects.

Group logo

The collective's third eye logo is the Mayan numeral for 8. Created by Del the Funky Homosapien, the son of an abstract artist, it has been used to promote the collective on their album covers, website, stickers, clothing, and other promotional materials.[2]

In a 2000 interview with SF Weekly, Del commented:

When I invented that symbol, I never thought it would get this big. I've seen about 20 people with that tattoo. I saw a comic book -- like Clerks or something -- and one of the fools in there had a Hiero shirt on. I saw a Redman and Method Man video, and there's somebody in the crowd with a Hiero shirt on. I think slowly but surely people are starting to pay attention to us.[2]

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. In an interview with halftimeonline.net in 2004, Mahfood mentioned Del and the Hieroglyphics by name:

Working in comics, especially the way I do, is totally comparable to an underground emcee or rap crew because you can actually make a living off of it without selling out or compromising your vision. Some of my heroes are Del The Funkee Homosapien from the Hieroglyphics crew, Jurassic 5, or my homeboy Z-Trip are all people who have developed a following for doing something really specific.[3]

Discography

Studio albums

More information Year, Album ...
Year Album Peak chart positions[4]
U.S. U.S. R&B U.S. Heat
1998 3rd Eye Vision N/a 88 26
2003 Full Circle
  • Released: October 7, 2003
  • Label: Hieroglyphics Imperium
155 53 7
2013 The Kitchen
  • Released: July 16, 2013[5]
  • Label: Hieroglyphics Imperium
N/a 45 14
2026 All Said and Done
  • Released: September 3, 2026
  • Label: Hieroglyphics Imperium
N/a N/a N/a
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Live albums

More information Year, Album ...
Year Album
2005 Full Circle Tour
  • Released: April 19, 2005
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Compilation albums

More information Year, Album ...
Year Album
1996 Hiero Oldies Vol. I
  • Format: Cassette, CD (2001 reissue)
1997 Hiero B Sides
Live.97
  • Format: Cassette
1998 Hiero Oldies Vol. II
  • Released: June 29
  • Format: Cassette, CD (2001 reissue)
2002 Hiero Classix Vol.1
  • Released: June 29
  • Format: CD
2004 The Building
  • Format: CD
2005 The Corner
  • Released: September 20
2007 Over Time
  • Released: March 20
  • Format: CD
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Singles

More information Year, Song ...
Year Song Album
1997 "The Who" / "After Dark" 3rd Eye Vision
1998 "The Last One"
1999 "You Never Knew"
2002 "Hydra, G.U.O.M.D, Think Again" One Big Trip
2003 "Powers That Be" Full Circle
"Make Your Move" (featuring Goapele)
2013 "Gun Fever" The Kitchen
2026 "Drum Talk" All Said and Done
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More information Year, Song ...
Year Song Album
2012 "40 & Hiero"
(E-40 featuring Hieroglyphics)
The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 3
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References

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