As tiny mushroom clouds of smoke puffed skyward and hands thrustabove heads, celebration was in the air last night (Nov. 14) when EastBay hip-hop’s prodigal son Del the Funky Homosapien took the stage atSlim’s. The show was the grand finale to a nearly 50-date tour insupport of his forthcoming studio LP, The 11th Hour. Fellowlocal Knobody opened the more-than-four-hour show with sinceregratitude and honest rhymes based on the tribulations of real life.Next, Houston-based rhymeslayer Devin the Dude, a Dave Chappellelook-a-like, had the help of the Coughee Brothaz crew and Odd Squad ashe busted through raps like “To Tha X-Treme” and “Just Tryin’ Ta Live,”featuring breakneck-speed verse about smoking and ladies (to put itvery nicely).
It may have already been past midnight when Delfinally stormed the stage, but the party showed no signs of slowingdown. Joined by Souls of Mischief’s A-Plus, Del worked up the nearlybelligerent crowd by delivering his signature seamless flow, and even alittle call and response, on favorite tracks such as “Mistadobalina”and “Dr. Bombay.” The Hieroglyphics founder also performed 11th Hourtunes like “Sit Down” and, with urging from A-Plus, “Workin’ It.” Thelatter cuts offered fans only a glimpse of the lyrical and musicalimpressiveness Del’s new album promises. Whether anybody in theaudience was sober enough to appreciate it at the tail end of a wildnight, that’s another story.
We asked:Del’s collaborated with everyone under the proverbial sun — from theGorillaz to Dan the Automator. Who would you like to see him work withnext?
