BIOGRAPHY
Del the Funky Homosapien, born Teren Delvon Jones in Oakland in 1972, is the cousin of Ice Cube and began his career writing lyrics for Ice Cube's group Da Lench Mob. His 1991 debut, I Wish My Brother George Was Here, became a commercial success on the strength of the single 'Mistadobalina.' Unhappy with that album's limited range, he split from Ice Cube's production for 1993's No Need for Alarm, which introduced the Oakland collective Hieroglyphics, including Souls of Mischief, Casual, Pep Love and producer Domino. After struggles with substance abuse and label troubles, Del released Both Sides of the Brain and, in 2000, the collaborative concept album Deltron 3030 with Dan the Automator and Kid Koala. He also guested on Gorillaz's 2001 debut, appearing on 'Clint Eastwood' and 'Rock the House.' Later solo work, including Eleventh Hour, drew more mixed reviews. Del remains a founder of the independent, artist-owned Hieroglyphics Imperium label.