Do yourself a favor and down this. And if you haven’t yet, watch the video. This is off of Vulture’s Wisdom, Volume 1, the first in a trilogy of albums set for release via Hiero Emporium Records. This first part drops this August and is entirely produced by The Architect. Cover art is by David Flores.

Opio – Stop The Press

Opio, member of the classic hip-hop group Souls of Mischief, has released details of his sophomore solo album, Vulture’s Wisdom, Volume 1. The album will include a bonus DVD with music videos as well as animated shorts and features artwork by renowned pop artist David Flores. The album will be released in August on Hiero Imperium Records as the first chapter of a forthcoming trilogy.

Vulture’s Wisdom, Volume 1 is a challenge to bloated hip-hop. With production solely from Oakland-based The Architect, whose production credits include early Stones Throw releases, Coolio, Planet Asia, and Encore, the album has a deliberate focus on Opio’s rhyming and artistry. With fourteen songs under 39 minutes, the album is a short and sweet collaboration of golden-era rap polished to a 2008 sheen. While current artists such as Lupe Fiasco and Kanye West have been appropriating the classic mid 90′s sound, Opio says, “People are trying to tap into that energy, whereas I am that energy.” This is no braggadocio. In fact, it is an honest self- assessment of what Opio represents in the world of hip-hop; he is a living legend that has been recording and touring consistently for more than fifteen years.

The idea for Vulture’s Wisdom came about in conversations between The Architect and Opio after they met while sharing neighborhood studio spaces. The conversations sparked a flood of creativity from Opio, and as fast as The Architect could supply beats, Opio was penning lyrics. “We embody the energy that people are trying so desperately to recapture or reconnect with. We never fell prey to all the trappings of materialism. Our music has stayed true to the art form and this album is a tribute to that.” The album includes a bonus DVD with 7 music videos as well as animated shorts. Pop artist David Flores (XLARGE, Stussy, Deluxe, Shorty’s) provided the album artwork.

As a teen, Opio hooked up with local rappers Tajai and A-Plus, whom he met through Casual, another emcee who was Opio’s classmate and neighbor. The three instantly clicked and began recording together, soon adding fourth emcee Phesto Dee, to form the group Souls of Mischief. Together with Del the Funky Homosapien, Casual, Domino, and Pep Love, the legendary crew Hieroglyphics was born. Opio has always done double duty for Hiero as both an emcee and producer. Opio’s recent production credits include the track “Naked Fonk” from Del’s recent 11th Hour. Opio’s first solo effort, 2005′s Triangulation Station, moved over 20,000 units. Vulture’s Wisdom, Volume 1 will be released in August on Hiero Imperium records.

Hieroglyphics crew will be embarking on a 3 month tour soon. And they will be rocking their recently launched Hiero Jeans gear the entire time. Tour dates and info after the jump.

previously:
Hiero Jeans, The Rep Gets Bigger!

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(May 7, 2008 – Brooklyn, NY) In celebration of its 10th anniversary as an independent label and hip-hop collective, Hiero Imperium announced details for a massive North American tour that will span from mid-summer into fall. As creators of classic music and trailblazers in the entertainment business and technology fields, the crew and label have grown to represent more than just hip-hop music. Since its inception in the late 70′s, hip-hop culture has permeated mainstream consciousness and its influence has infiltrated fashion, sports, and entertainment on a global scale. Combining elements of fashion and music, The Freshly Dipped Tour is a nod to Hiero Imperium’s prolific past ten years as indie hip-hop industry leaders as well as to the bright future of Hiero Imperium. The 3-month long tour, which runs from July through October, includes spot dates all across the US, as well as select dates in Canada.

“We are putting this tour together to thank our fans for their years of loyal support, expose them to our new projects including our brand-new lifestyle line, Hiero Jeans (www.hierojeans.com), and to celebrate the ways that hip-hop style has influenced the fashion world,” explained Hiero Imperium CEO Tajai Massey. As a thank you to their fans, Hiero Imperium recently hosted a contest in which fans submitted artwork to be considered for the official tour logo. The winning design (pictured at the top of the tour graphic here) will be featured on all tour merchandise and signage.

In addition to publicly debuting their Hiero Jeans clothing line, Souls of Mischief emcee Opio will be showcasing material from his upcoming album, Vulture’s Wisdom, Volume One, which will be released this summer. Joining the tour and building on the trends set by The Hieroglyphics will be Seattle’s Blue Scholars, who are hugely popular in the Northwest hip-hop scene. Both groups are known for their strong live shows, and represent the best hip-hop the West Coast has to offer. Hiero Imperium will also debut a special, limited edition Freshly Dipped Tour 7” this summer. Available exclusively at the shows, the 7” will include a Hieroglyphics remix of a Blue Scholars track and a Blue Scholars remix of a Hiero track. Also available at the shows will be a selection of Hiero Jeans denim and shirts.

The Lineup:

Hieroglyphics: Souls of Mischief (Tajai, A Plus, Phesto, Opio), Casual, Pep Love, and Domino. Opio’s new album Vulture’s Wisdom, Volume One in stores in July

Blue Scholars: MassLine/ Rawkus. New album to be released June 2007, new EP Butter & Gun$ out now. Video and single for “Loyalty” in rotation on MTVu

Prince Ali: Eye 5/Hiero Imperium. New album Curb Side Service in stores now. Video for “The Majors feat. Casual, Planet Asia and Keith Murray” in rotation on MTV and BET

Musab: Rhymesayers Entertainment Founder, Hiero Imperium. New album Slicks Box in stores now

Knobody: Bumpin Muzic, Hiero Imperium. Album Tha Clean-Up in stores now


Dates (first 30 dates are listed here, last 15 will be announced shortly):

Sat-Jun-14 San Francisco, CA Berkeley Community Theatre (Paid Dues Hip Hop Festival)

Fri-Jul-11 Pomona, CA Glasshous

Sat-Jul-12 Los Angeles, CA El Rey

Sun-Jul-13 San Diego, CA Belly Up

Tue-Jul-15 Tempe, AZ Clubhouse

Wed-Jul-16 Flagstaff, AZ Orpheum

Thu-Jul-17 Albuquerque, NM Sunshine

Fri-Jul-18 Dallas, TX Granada

Sat-Jul-19 Austin, TX Emo’s

Sun-Jul-20 New Orleans, LA Parrish

Tue-Jul-22 Orlando, FL Social-Late Show

Wed-Jul-23 Atlanta, GA Masq

Thu-Jul-24 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle

Fri-Jul-25 Charleston, SC The Music Farm

Sat-Jul-26 Wilmington, NC Soapbox

Sun-Jul-27 Virginia Beach, VA Steppin Out

Tue-Jul-29 Baltimore, MD Bedrock

Wed-Jul-30 West Chester, PA The Note

Thu-Jul-31 New York City, NY Highline

Fri-Aug-01 Providence, RI Jerky’s Live

Sat-Aug-02 Boston, MA Middle East

Sun-Aug-03 Burlington, VT Higher Ground

Tue-Aug-05 Ottawa, ON Babylon

Wed-Aug-06 Toronto, ON Mod Club

Thu-Aug-07 London, ON The Salt Lounge

Fri-Aug-08 Ann Arbor, MI Blind Pig

Sat-Aug-09 Columbus, OH Skullys

Sun-Aug-10 Chicago, IL Abbey Pub

Tue-Aug-12 Madison, WI High Noon

Wed-Aug-13 Minneapolis First Ave-Early Show

Thu-Aug-14 Omaha Waiting Room

Fri-Aug-15 Boulder Fox

Sat-Aug-16 Salt Lake City Urban Lounge

The OG indie internet hustlers talk about the meaning behind their logo. Props to them for buying a warehouse to build studios and run silk-screen machines instead of bling. I wish they had more pics of that mural, looks dope. Link