Del the Funky Homosapien
October 20
An abstract artist's son who started his career writing rhymes for cousin Ice Cube and Lench Mob, Del the Funky Homosapien has always been an alternative-thinking rapper. In the 1990s, with the jazzy experiments of his Hieroglyphics, Del (Teren Delvon Jones) broke from what he saw as the pointless turf wars, pedestrian beats, and grim outlook of mainstream rap. For his efforts, Del got a pink slip from Elektra Records, cult status, and cadre of rabid "Hiero Heads" that followed him from "Mistadobolina" through projects with Kid Koala and Gorillaz to Deltron 3030, a CD of sci-fi hip-hop tales. His latest exploits are on "11th Hour" (with art by Dad), a DVD tracking Del in concert, studying theory, shopping for Jolly Ranchers, and writing songs for an upcoming album of the same name. Saturday, Del headlines an underground hip-hop bonanza featuring Texas's Devin the Dude ("the Richard Pryor of Rap") & the Coughee Brothaz, Oakland's Bukue One, and Brooklyn's Junk Science featuring Iller Than Theirs. 8 p.m. $22. 18+. Middle East Downstairs, 472 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-864-3278. mideastclub.com
