Hiero Oldies, Vol. 1

Blessed with longevity in a business and genre so closely associated with one-hit wonders and flash-in-the-pan acts, Oakland's Hieroglyphics collective (including Del Tha Funkee Homosapien, Souls of Mischief, Casual, Pep Love, and Domino) have been cranking out next-level hip-hop since 1990. Known for their labyrinthine lyricism and rich, jazz-drenched production, they have created their own independent empire, touring the world year after year, putting out their own music on their own terms, and embedding their trademark three-eyed logo on everything from hoodies and hats to designer jeans and thongs. This collection of rare and hard-to-find tracks comes straight from the Hiero vaults, taking you back to the old days when they were just hungry kids (mostly still in high school) looking to get a deal and to verbally humiliate all wack MCs. Though the sound quality here ranges from 'rough' to third-generation boom-box dubs, the beats and rhymes showcased are still outstanding. Recorded mostly in '91 and '92, it features quintessential early jams like "Gotta Lotta," "Step to My Girl," "It Gets No Better," and a sick appearance on the infamous Stretch and Bobbito show.