DOMINO (And Tajai) EXPOSED!,PART 2!!
The crew is finally winding down in the creation of what is sure to be one of the biggest Hiero albums ever-- the still tentatively titled, "Hiero Family Album".
I got the chance to speak with both Domino as well as Tajai, the other night, on exactly what has gone down with the Family Album since we last reported on the subject online. Below are various tid-bits I think you will find extremely enlightening.
One of the things I was glad to hear from Domino was that the "togetherness" of the Hiero crew was re-sparked through the creation of this album. Prior to the begining of work on the Family Album, everyone was out doing their own thing; some were in school, others were doing production work for their own songs, etc. However, because the album is family related, everyone came back together and worked with one another, reuniting the force we, as fans, know as Hieroglyphics. This unity, of course, becomes apparent when you listen to the album, which I fortunatley had a chance to witness the other night, for the first time.
Domino played me a little tune over the phone which was still untitled. Produced by Del, this track had a beat I was totally unprepared for. Keep in mind, this was the first song I have ever heard from the Family Album. Featuring Del, Opio and Pep Love, I sat with my hand placed over my wide-open mouth, as friends looked on in astonishment as to why I had such a look on my face? My reply: "Domino's playing me a song from the Family Album and it's the dopest shit I think I ever heard!" We began to pass the phone around, and heads got a quick glimpse of this masterpiece, but I was quick to become a greedy lil' bitch in the presence of new Hiero material, and quickly snatched the phone back from the hands of my friends.
The beat was utterly catchy, and had some sampled chick in the background releasing a pleasent singing scream every once and awhile. However, nothing prepared me for the onslaught of lyrics I was about to hear. Back and forth, back and forth, boom, boom, boom -- right after the other -- lyrics were exchanged one by one from each artist. It was as if they had stood in a circle while in the studio, and sporadically handed off the mic and kicked shit; you never knew who was the next to rip a verse.
The chorus consisted of each member replying to one another, with the word, "Who". For instance, Del would ask, "Who?" then Op. would reply with, "Who?!" and Pep would follow, asking "Who??!!". All this was done very fast, for example:
Del: "Who?"
That probably didn't translate too well on paper (Err. . .Web space??), but take my word as a Hiero fan: Shit was dope! Yet, after I was done exclaiming to Domino how dope that song was, he tells me, "See, and that song is on the border-line of being accepted onto the Family Album; we have better shit than that". My mind was blown. What I had just heard, over the phone no less, truly categorized what "hip-hop" should be, and Domino basically told me, it wasn't shit. As a Hieroglyphic fan, there's no doubt in my mind that this album will be the one! Back was the rapid-fire exchange of lyrics that was so present on albums such as "93 Til", and "No Need For Alarm". Pep Love, who until this album was only present in cameo apperances on other member's albums, RIPS shit on the Family Album. Those who have ever asked, "When is Pep gonna drop" or, "Pep is dope. . .What's up with Pep". . .You will all have your questions answered with the release of this album. He's an amazing Mcee, and this album allows his skills to truly shine.
After hearing the aforementioned song, I became curious as to what the content of the Family Album would consit of, in terms of lyrics? What were the Mcees gonna rhyme about? What can we as fans be prepared to hear?
Domino told me there would be a heavy presence of a battle-mentality in many of the songs--A sort of "reclaiming" of the hip-hop empire by the Hiero crew, much like "That's When Ya Lost" or Del's, "No Need For Alarm" song. However, there would also be story-telling songs such as one track called, "Mics of the Round Table". Another song entitled, "All Things" is a kind-of sequel to Del's, "Wrongplace" song. And just to show you the variety in song content that will be present on the Family Album, one song entitled, "Put You Away" focuses on the police, and how at any time, you could get "put away" and whatnot. Again, the crew has recorded enough songs for 2 albums! That's over 35 songs.
Fans continuously mail me, and question what will the Family Album sound like? Many people were not pleased with the outcome of "No Man's Land". For whatever reason(s) they did not enjoy it, that's up to them. However, many on our Bulletin Board had pointed to the fact that Domino did not produce any tracks on the album as the reason why they did not feel "NML" to be a dope album. If this is your belief, then you will find sanctuary in the fact that Domino produced most of the tacks on the forthcoming Family Album. So if you enjoyed the sounds of "93 Til", "No Need For Alarm" or "Fear Itself", then this album will be more along your tastes.
If you have any other questions regarding the Hiero Family Album, please direct them to our Online Bulletin Board. We'll try to answer as many as possible. Peace!
Click Here To Peep The First Interview with Domino, Concerning the Family Album!
-StinkE
Copyright ©1996 StinkE Productions
