WESTCOAST WEDNESDAY.

Hieroglyphics - "Soweto"

For those of you who are scratching your heads, Soweto is a town in Johannesburg, South Africa. It's one of the poorest regions in Johannesburg, and was made famous for an uprising on June 16th, 1976 between black youths and the South African authorities. The riots grew out of protests against the policies of the National Party government and its apartheid regime. Police opened fire on 10,000 students marching from Naledi High School to Orlando Stadium, and in the events that unfolded, over 500 people died. June 16th is now a recognized as the holiday, Youth Day.

Soweto is also credited as one of the founding places for kwaito, which is a style of hip-hop specific to South Africa. It combines various elements of American hip-hop, house music, and traditional African music, and became a widespread form of expression amongst black South Africans. The spread of Soweto in popular culture influenced Hiero, and this song reflects the terrible conditions and changing social order in Soweto, saying that cowardice has ruled this area, but how now the "gems" of the youth need to express themselves.

They say you learn something new everyday, and hopefully you just did.

[VIDEO] Del the Funky Homosapien - "Get It Right Now"

The Funky Human Being returns with his first video from his latest (free) album Funk Man (The Stimulus Package). The song's message is simple, stop procrastinating. If you want something, go get it. And get it right now. It reminds me of a great pep talk an old coach of mine used to give. It's legendary. He used to say, "Do it right. Do it now. Do it right now."

Inspiring isn't it?

If you like what you're watching (and hearing), why not download the song right here.

You're welcome. Actually, don't thank me. Thanks audible treats.

Westcoast Wednesday.

Del Tha Funkee Homosapien - "Catch A Bad One"
Oooooooooooh Weeeeeeeeee this was my joint. This is one of those songs that I will be able to recite word for word until I'm dead. I'm dead serious. Del stays underrated as one of the illest cats in the west. The verbal gymnastics in this one are vintage D-E-L. I think this was the start of his shrooming and psychedelic days, so the drugs were working just well enough to spark mad creativity, but he hadn't completely lost his mind yet.

This song was on his (dope!) album, No Need For Alarm, which I remember buying on cassette in 1993, and it introduced me to Hieroglyphics crew. This was the first album that they appeared on. Shortly after, Souls of Mischief changed hip-hop when they dropped 93 'Til Infinity. See you get more than free music from this blog, you also get tiny nuggets of hip-hop wisdoms sprinkled amongst long winded rants and run-on sentences.

[NEW] Souls of Mischief - "Tour Stories"

New Souls of Mischief! No, seriously! It's like a just got into a Delorean, hit 88 MPH and ended up in 1993. I'm loving this joint. Classic. Forever grinding, they give your their perspective from life on the road as independent artists.

Sidebar: It's rumored that Prince Paul is working with the Souls for their new album. That combination might break my iTunes. But that's a chance I'm willing to take...

LISTEN: Souls of Mischief - "Tour Stories"

Westcoast Wednesday.

Souls of Mischief - "93 Til Infinity"

You already know...

Happy Hieroween.

Can Opio and The Architect escape the clutches of a haunted San Francisco mansion? Armed with only an ounce of weed, bare fists, and plenty of braggadocio, the emcee and producer find themselves up against it in this special "Hieroween" video, "Vampire Hunters In The Valley Of Death." Watch as Opio takes on a possessed deer, proving that even feral beasts and ghouls don't possess the skills to mess with the Souls of Mischief emcee.

[VIDEO] Opio (ft. Del & Guilty Simpson) - "Some Superfly Shit" (Remix)

This is the remix to one of my favorite songs on Opio's latest effort, Vulture's Wisdom Vol. 1. This one features Del the Funky Homosapien and Guilty Simpson. Goddamn that bassline is funky.

Here's the original...
DOWNLOAD: Opio - "Some Superfly Shit"

Westcoast Wednesday.

Souls of Mischief - "93 Til Infinity"

This song needs no introduction. But I'll say this...it was done 15 years ago, and is still doper than ever. And will be dope forever. The song title is on point. no doubt. Dopeness til infinity.

[VIDEO] Opio - "To The People"

New video from the Hiero member Opio, off his new album Vulture's Wisdom: Vol 1, which is in stores now and in my mp3 collection as well.

Opio - "Original Lyricist"

Hieroglyphics rhyme sayer, Opio, drops the latest single from his album, Vulture's Wisdom: Vol 1 (in stores now). The video is dope. Shot as Oakland Coliseum, as Opio is on his way to a Raider game as he's rhyming amongst Raider Nation. How can you top that?

I've always been a fan of Hiero & Souls, and Opio proves he can hold his own on the solo tip. His new album is very good, and his smooth flow and wordplay is clever as ever. He's been holding it down for 15 years, and still putting out that classic headnod hip-hop. These cats weren't lying when they said 93 Til Infinity.

DOWNLOAD: Opio - "Original Lyricist"