Del Tha Funkee Homosapien

Del tha Funky Homosapien saw some commercial success as a teenager with Hieroglyphics, but it's his solo work, and specifically 1993's No Need for Alarm, that's elevated Del to classic status in the world of hip-hop. Since then, Del's taken more than his fair share of lengthy hiatuses, but he's also managed to crank out worthwhile efforts both on his own and with Hiero (among others).

In 2000, again to rave reviews, he released the sci-fi funk Deltron 3030 collaboration with Dan the Automator and DJ Kid Koala, and he currently has plans for a Deltron followup in the near future.

For now, he's touring his latest album, the toned-down, relatively straightforward 11th Hour, which was released on the Def Jux label rather than his collective's own Hiero Imperium. The venture is an interesting choice, but after 17 years in an industry that sees hit-makers rise and fall overnight, interesting choices are what's kept Del's music inspired and his fan base secure.