HDC: Are you OK? You look a little zoned there.

SN: Ahhhh

HDC: Are you from Earth? You look like one of those Grey aliens, fools be seeing at night & whatnot.

SN: Ahhhh?

HDC: Dude, I know you're not trying to take a shit. What's that smell??

SN: Ahwwww

HDC: That's keeping it real. Any last words?

SN: Squirt Nice beeotch

O.C.T.O.B.E.R. 14 .1.9.9.8.

Last week's mailbag concluded with the following letter:

I dig hiero and have been a fan since '91, but this new video is someting I do not support. It makes Hiero look like hypocrites. I quote Who?: "but these niggas on tv, they hella fake." What's the video all about if they're preaching that and claiming underground? Indie--yes; but not underground.

And here are just a handful of the many responses received:

Whoever said that Hiero was sellin' out 'cuz they're making a video is a fuckin' herb. I know some ignorant mufuckas want their underground groups all to themselves and their little cliques, but they gotta realize that brothas gotta eat too. How else are people gonna know that Hiero and other groups exist when they don't get played on commercial radio? To me, a group doesn't sell-out until they compromise their artistic integrity and change-up their whole style just to blow-up. Everybody knows that Hiero hasn't compromised shit. It's amazing the type of pressure fans will put on a crew just because they wanna make a video to try to expose themselves to a few more people.

Hiero is and always has been borderline underground. Truth is, ask 9 out of 10 cats and they wont know who the fus Hiero is. However, they were signed to a major label, as we all know, so this might discredit them as underground. But in all reality, who gives a fus? I dont need to label them to know they are hella dope. As for them being hypocrites, hell no. That reference in the Who? was intended for (this is my interpretation) just major label wack emcees. The point that was trying to be made was that record sales and dopeness are not correlated at all. I think that Hiero was also trying to convey that mainstream rap is junk nowadays, much UNlike in the days of Hiero being major label. And as for underground artists in general, I guarantee any of them would be thrilled to have the money to put out a video. No one wants to stay underground forever. It's just how you get publicity that matters. Dont be a sellout. If your product blows up and you are keepin it real, then more power to ya.

I don't think Heiro are sellouts, nor do I think they were underground when they first came out with their first major label albums. Back in those classic Heiro dayz, it's like there was this line --- Underground on one side and non-underground on the other, and Heiro was carfully walking in the middle. No trends involved, Hiero were making music that nobaody was doing, both then and now. They literally took hiphop to another level, A better level of wordplay and creativity. Videos are a part of the music industry. I don't view a 'sellout' being someone making videos. Video's can be dope and they are an integral part of our music. I can't wait to see Hiero's new shit on the screen. Making a video is not something Heiro were ever against. They made a bunch and probally had a shit load of fun doing it. Video's are just another outlet for the music -- and that's what it comes down to --- the music. As for the quote -- "niggas on tv, they hella fake" --- Do you think maybe Opio was talking about all the Wack shit (shitty muzik) out these days that he sees on tv, rather then the fact that they're on tv? 75% of the shit on tv is about trends.

In response to your question yes they were underground when they had videos out in the 91'-93' time period and those videos had an underground quality with the exception of 93 til. This current video is banal though; they're flossin' just like everybody else and there is no reason for the tired arm gesticulation when rhyming for a video. Save that for the show.

I wrote the video letter last week, and I was not implying that they are selling out now. They are just contradicting themselves. They say they are now underground, but they are putting out a video. That is where they are wrong. They need to make a choice.

The members of Hiero have been putting out videos for years and now in the 98' world of hip pop bullshit someone wants to lump them in with the sellout masses because they make another video? I am soooooooo thankful that Hiero is putting out a video. It is a welcome change from the same old mainstream wack ass videos that are played all day everyday!!

Is Hiero indie? Yes. Underground? Yes. The Hiero crew has always done there own thing even when signed to major labels and promoted themselves as bestthey could. Always been true too. I doubt anyone would question the Living Legends as underground and yet they completed a video not long ago. It only seems Hiero is in a mad, foaming at the mouth rush to promote their cut. Until I see these kats on the billboard of a Sprite ad or sitting on Puff Daddy's lap in the front row of the MTV music awards, these boys are cellar dwellers to me.

STINKE SAYS: Some good responses, and there were a lot of em. Of course further discussion on the topic can be met by emailing the mailbag. But for now, let's get to some other topics...

I know this is an old question, but this is buggin me. Is Cas gonna release Turkey and Dressing on 12" or something. That has got to be one of his dopest tracks and I would think that most other heads would agree. If I have to start an on line petition to get him to release it I will, cause I think it is worth the effort.

Him and Dante Ross have something planned with that one. The fact that Cas signed onto a subsidarary of LOUD records, owned by SD50's leads me to believe that Turkey & Dressing may be a b-side to his forthcoming 12" on that label, or perhaps on his full-fledged record due out in Spring or Summer. I'm on top of that one.

I read on the home page that there is a tape and CD version of the single through ground level. Is the single going to be available in stores in CD and tape, or do we have to special order it from ground level?

Soon (very soon) the CD single will be available at only one place in the entire world: Hieroglyphics Dot Com ;).

So how can we get Hiero's video up on TV? Do you have any numbers we can call? I'm all for this video...if y'all can make 3rd Eye Vision a million-seller without fucking with a label, we all go home happy.

We are going to systematically attack all of these major video networks and toy with their minds. First up is MTV. You can help by going to their web page and voting for HIERO: YOU NEVER KNEW. You can go to their page by clicking here.

Two thangs:
Thang numero uno: Stop frontin' & give us the dope on this alleged Del/Beasties collab - is it for real or what? And does Del rip 'em?

Tee-he... :)

Thang numero two-o: I missed Del & Cas when they came to Europe in summer. Are there any plans, however vague, for Del, Cas or Souls to visit again in the future, near or otherwise?

Souls is making their way, your way, very shortly. We'll announce dates and details as soon as they become available. We'll keep you up.

I purchased your shirt a while back, you know the long sleeved one with the big glyph's sign on the back, and i continuously get heads asking what the oriental type writing on the front says....can you help a hiero-head out with the 4eleven?

"3rd Eye Vissssiiiioooon!".

The new mexico show was a complete fiasco. the show itself wasn't, but after the show somehow the security guards had the grouch in a choke hold. (apparently someone was trying to steal something from him or something). anyway, casual saw this and went to his rescue, punching one of the security guards out cold. this threw all of the rest of security into a frenzy. and then...THEY TOOK OUT THE PEPPERSPRAY. and completely sprayed everyone. asop got it the worst. what a horrible thing.