Hip Hop Heavyweight, Del the Funky Homosapien, Releases Free Album: Funk Man: The Stimulus Package Del Embarks On National Tour To Promote Release; Album & Tour Sponsored by Arnette, Skull Candy, Osiris, and Bandcamp.com
Critical Praise for Del:
“…Del’s reputation has remained strong in both fan and critic circles.” – Thrasher Magazine
“The Homosapien is one hell of an entertaining MC” – YRB
Less than a year after the release of his last album, Hieroglyphics member and co-founder Del the Funky Homosapien joins the ranks of Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails with the free release of his new album, Funk Man: The Stimulus Package via Funnyman Entertainment. Del is currently on a nationwide promotional tour for the album and will be playing in over 30 cities.
As an early adapter of technology and having the status and perspective only a veteran can possess, Del takes advantage of his unique position to adopt a still experimental distribution strategy with Funk Man’s release. Even with longevity, very few artists can hope to successfully launch a free full-length album. However with Del the Funky Homosapien’s solid fan base and sponsorship deals with Arnette, Skull Candy, Osiris Shoes, and Bandcamp.com, Funk Man’s release not only ensures support for the creative process, but also gives fans easy access to music they crave.
With a six year hiatus between Del’s prior two solo releases, fans and critics may be surprised by the release of Funk Man: The Stimulus Package, which is out only a year following Eleventh Hour (Def Jux/Hieroglyphics). Del attributes this timing as a reflection of his life. Having shed the negativity that plagued him in past years, he feels a sense of renewal, which has resulted in newfound creativity. Additionally, after working consistently with record labels in his previous projects, Del is reenergized by his ability to produce music independently.
Being without a record label shouldn’t be cause for alarm because Del, known for his intricate, honest, and humorous word-play, funky beats and artistic versatility, continues to deliver his signature style on Funk Man: The Stimulus Package. The high-energy album is comprised of raw lyrics, driving rhythms, and Del’s undeniable funkiness. Throughout Funk Man, Del challenges the listener to be genuine, especially when he says, “it’s okay to be who you are. You can be free. So what if people are taking about you, they’re going to be talking about you anyway and they probably want to be you. They wish they could by funky, let their hair grow out, be like you.” Del shows his commitment to this message and the funk in each track, from “Get It Right Now’s” sense of urgency, to “And They Thought That Was Hell’s” pop culture warning, and “Straight From the Big Bad West Coast’s” historical breakdown.
Funk Man: The Stimulus Package marks Del the Funky Homosapien’s 14th project as he has been in this hip-hop game for almost two decades. Starting at the tender age of 17 as protégé to his cousin, Ice Cube, Del quickly rose to the top of the underground hip hop scene with his albums, I Wish My Brother George Was Here (1991) and No Need for Alarm (1993), both released through Elektra Records. Soon after parting ways with the label, Del joined the Hieroglyphics family, comprised of notable emcees Pep Love, the Souls of Mischief, Casual, and Domino. In 1998 the critically acclaimed album 3rd Eye Vision was the first to be released under the Hieroglyphics Imperium label and since then Del has had consistent success with his solo and joint efforts, including Deltron 3030 (2000), Gorillaz (2001), Full Circle (2003), and Eleventh Hour (2008) to name a few.
As a witness to the destructive technology, i.e. video games, that replaced the comic book industry thirty years ago and seeing the same trends within the music industry today, Del has taken a proactive approach with Funk Man, in his reluctance to rely on standard distribution models. Funk Man: The Stimulus Package is Del’s journey back to basics and the timely message coupled with the LP’s free release display’s his acute awareness of his fan’s needs and the music industry at large.
Tour Dates:
Wed-Apr-08 San Luis Obispo, CA SLO Brew
Thu-Apr-09 Pomona, CA Glass House
Fri-Apr-10 San Diego, CA Canes
Sat-Apr-11 Phoenix, AZ Marquee
Sun-Apr-12 Tucson, AZ Club Congress (Early Show)
Mon-Apr-13 Flagstaff, AZ Green Room
Tue-Apr-14 Albuquerque, NM Sunshine Theater
Thu-Apr-16 San Antonio, TX Warehouse Live
Fri-Apr-17 Dallas, TX Granada
Sat-Apr-18 Austin, TX Emo’s Outside
Mon-Apr-20 Baton Rouge, LA Spanish Moon
Wed-Apr-22 Athens, GA Georgia Theater Fri-Apr-24 Raleigh, NC
Lincoln Theater Sat-Apr-25 Poultney, VT Green Mountain College
Sun-Apr-26 Burlington, VT Higher Ground
Tue-Apr-28 Boston, MA Middle East
Wed-Apr-29 New York, NY BB Kings
Thu-Apr-30 Allentown, PA Crocodile Rock
Sun-May-03 Philadelphia, PA First Utilitarian Church
Tue-May-05 Ann Arbor, MI Blind Pig
Wed-May-06 Columbus, OH Skullys (Late Show)
Thu-May-07 Lexington, KY Dame
Fri-May-08 Chicago, IL Reggies
Sat-May-09 Madison, WI High Noon
Mon-May-11 Columbia, MO Blue Note
Tue-May-12 Omaha, NE Slowdown
Thu-May-14 Boulder, CO Fox Theatre
Fri-May-15 Denver, CO Bluebird
Sat-May-16 Colorado Springs, CO Black Sheep
Mon-May-18 Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge
Streams: “Get It Right Now”
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