Del The Funky Homosapien: Iller Than Most

While for most of us, January 2 meant finishing off that rogue selection-box while wondering whether we could realistically afford gym membership, overachieving Oakland rapper Del The Funky Homosapien was busy uploading a little something he threw together over the festive period to Soundcloud. As you do...

“This is a new free LP that is futuristic and fun,” he wrote, “but still on some hip hop shit. Lyrically ill but fun to listen to, nothing super heavy. I did the production on it as well. Hope y’all enjoy it, peace.”

In fact, the DIY production is the most striking thing about Iller Than Most. Rapping on the West Coast since the golden era of ‘90s hip-hop, Del received more mainstream attention after featuring on Gorillaz’ eponymous debut, and is a founding member of the excellent Deltron 3030. But this new LP is his most sparse and industrial work; an assault on the senses from start to finish, forcing the listener to sit up and pay attention. Just as instant as Del’s glitchy, percussion-driven production is the album’s message.

Never one for all that “bitches and hos” malarkey, here he’s concerned with haters, industry fakers and generally all those he perceives to be – as he spits on album opener ‘Leader’ – “sitting back, collecting off another’s work.” Throughly engaging.