DEL THE FUNKY HOMOSAPIEN – GOLDEN ERA
Jazz is considered by some to be America’s only true national art-form. Others have argued the case for tap dancing, comic books or professional wrestling; just a few of the other candidates. Arguably the genre with the strongest case would have to be hip-hop. Having survived much longer than anticipated, hip hop has being going strong since the late 70s. However the last decade has seen significant shifts. Gone are the political ideas of Michael Franti and Public Enemy. In their place a heavily commercialized (some would say watered down) version has arisen, until all that is left is a dude rapping meaninglessly about “luvas” over a highly produced dance beat, or worse, an MC spitting for 8 bars in the latest popette’s chart hit. Snoop, what are you doing? Golden Era is Del the Funky Homosapien’s acknowledgment and response to these issues. He often references “the death of hip hop” on this album. The music is “funky” and fresh and his lyrical style is a modern spin on Jazz scatting, with its alternating rhythm and his rhymes owing something to the beat poets of the 60’s. Unfortunately and ironically the lyric let Del down, there are no stories to be told here, only boasting and joking. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
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