Del The Funkee Homosapien Artistfacts

August 12, 1972
He's from Oakland and came on the scene in the early '90s, when it was a hotbed for gangsta rap, but Del went in a different direction, taking on more quotidian topics like freeloading friends and dating dynamics. It's a style that paved the way for the likes of Vince Staples and Tyler, the Creator.
His real name is Teren Delvon Jones. Explaining his stage name, he told MVRemix: "I consider myself sort of a scientist, so that's how I got that name. It's just a scientific name for a human being. The 'Funkee' part is just that I consider myself 'funky.' I deal with a lot of stuff in my life that I feel I've developed a sort of funky attitude at times. But, I feel like I'm real."
The title of his first album, I Wish My Brother George Was Here, is a shout-out to his idol, George Clinton. The phrase comes from something the flamboyant entertainer Liberace would say; he had a brother named George who was also an entertainer. Del got the phrase from a Bugs Bunny cartoon where Bugs is spoofing Liberace.
Del has some atypical influences, including the avant-garde rock singer Frank Zappa. "I listened to some of his songs just on a whim, and I was like, 'Damn, this fool is raw," Del told Spinner. "Like super raw. How come I didn't know this?"
He's Ice Cube's cousin; Cube produced his album I Wish My Brother George Was Here.
Del got some attention with "Mistadobalina," released in 1991 when he was 19. He never broke through to the mainstream but became a highly respected underground rapper.
He's the rapper on the 2001 hit "Clint Eastwood" by Gorillaz. This was the group's first single; they're a virtual band that uses lots of guest musicians on their recordings and live performances. Del later appeared on their 2023 track "Captain Chicken." He's performed with the band from time to time, including at their 2023 Coachella appearance.
Del considers himself a visual artist, which made him a good fit for Gorillaz. He loves comic books and was familiar with Tank Girl, the creation of Gorillaz illustrator Jamie Hewlett, when he joined them for "Clint Eastwood."
Along with DJ Kid Koala and Dan the Automator he's part of Deltron 3030, a future-forward group that released their self-titled debut album in 2000.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

More Songfacts:

Tomorrow PeopleZiggy Marley & the Melody Makers

"Tomorrow People" by Ziggy Marley is the first song by a Marley to crack the US Top 40; the highest Bob got was #51 with "Roots, Rock, Reggae."

Y.M.C.A.The Village People

Village People lead singer Victor Willis, who co-wrote "Y.M.C.A.," insists it isn't a gay song - it's about hanging out with your buddies.

Private DancerTina Turner

Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits wrote "Private Dancer," which went to Tina Turner when he realized it wasn't a song for a man to sing.

Here I Go AgainWhitesnake

Whitesnake's "Here I Go Again" is a very inspiring song, but it's really about heartbreak: David Coverdale wrote it when his first marriage was falling apart.

Candy GirlNew Edition

In the UK, the first #1 hit with a rap was "Candy Girl" by the American boy band New Edition in 1983.

Everybody Have Fun TonightWang Chung

"Everybody Have Fun Tonight" is a rare hit with the band's name used as a verb: "Everybody Wang Chung tonight." The band says it can mean whatever you'd like it to.