Artist: Del Tha Funky Homosapien
Interviewer: Christina Allah

Remember all those great Hip Hop songs that started this whole culture? Not too often do we get to hear from old school Hip Hop pioneers that weren't afraid to make a unique, quirky, or even peculiar song. One such artist is Del Tha Funky Homosapien. Whether on his own, as part of Hieroglyphics, or under one of his multiple other aliases, Del has always been known to think and create art outside of the box. Since his early days, Del has shown that Hip Hop is not all about being "hardcore." The creator of such funky and groundbreaking tracks like "Mr. Dobalina" checked in with SoundSlam for an exclusive interview and gave us the 411 on the many happenings of Del.

SoundSlam: Most everyone knows you from the fame of "Mr. Dobalina." What other tracks were hot for you back then?

Del: "Dr. Bombay," "Guerillas," and a few others.

SoundSlam: What's been up with you all these years?

Del: After a little drama in my life, I've been studying music theory.

SoundSlam: You signed to Elektra when you were 17. What was it like being signed at an early age? Was it a pleasant experience?

Del: It was cool. It was based more on my attitude. I could have been an asshole. But I was cool. Even when I left Elektra, I still kept relationships with a lot of the people there.

SoundSlam: What artists do you listen to?

Del: Camron, Styles P, Meth, Keith Murray. I really don't have any favorites. If you got a style, and that's your personal best, I respect that. I listen to a lot of funk. P-Funk, George Clinton. That's my biggest influence. Even more so, since I know music theory.

SoundSlam: You talk a lot about music theory. How would you persuade other rappers to take an interest in the study?

Del: It's the relationship of musical tones. It's natural. It's not hard. Anybody can do it. It's basic and easy to understand.

SoundSlam: Describe your style then (in the nineties) and now.

Del: It hasn't changed much...I have a funky attitude. I'm better skill wise. I write better. I'm cranky and try to be humorous, but I have something to say. I'm not just copying off someone else.

SoundSlam: How has Hip Hop changed since your reign in the nineties?

Del: There's been a shift in power. It's in the south right now. The south style is really an old school New York sound. People not looking for lyricists anymore. There's no lyrical dexterity. But I don't expect people who don't know the intricacies of Hip Hop to understand the lyrical side. The subject matter hasn't changed though. It's still about violence in the street because there's still violence in the street of course.

SoundSlam: Being from the west coast, what do you think of artists that come from that region like Game and DPG?

Del: The west is tight. We trying to do it. The Bay Area is really reppin'. E-40 opened the flood-gates. Much respect to E-40. The west is really based on crunk, but we got lyrics too.

SoundSlam: Tell us about your documentary the 11th Hour?

Del: 11th Hour is a documentary of my drama, trials and tribulations. It also tells what my hiatus (from the rap game) was about. The album will follow.

GO COP THE "11TH HOUR" DVD DOCUMENTARY ! BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR DEL THE FUNKY HOMOSAPIEN'S ANTICIPATED ALBUM ON HIERO IMPERIUM.

Check out Del's MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/delthefunkyhomosapien

Contact Blessed Allah at www.myspace.com/blessedallah