In many ways, Both Sides of the Brain, released on Hiero Imperium in 2000, stands as a key milestone in Del The Funky Homosapien‘s career, marking a definitive turn toward artistic independence. He had already built a strong following with his two albums for Elektra Records, I Wish My Brother George Was Here (1991) and No Need For Alarm (1993). Beyond establishing himself as an innovative force, his time on Elektra also served as a launching pad for his crew, Hieroglyphics. However, the landscape shifted when Del prepared Future Development, a project originally intended for the major label, only to have his deal terminated shortly before its scheduled release in 1997. This pivotal moment, coupled with similar major-label exoduses for other Hiero members, ultimately freed them to take full control of their destiny, forging their own path with their independent label, Hieroglyphics Imperium Recordings.
This newfound independence sparked a creative growth that shines through on every track of Both Sides of the Brain. While Del was involved in production on his previous albums, here he takes a more definitive role, producing the majority of the tracks himself with select contributions from Domino, Casual, A-Plus, El-P, Prince Paul, and Khaos Unique. The resulting beats provide a wide sonic canvas, ranging from funk-laden bass grooves and spacey sample collages to robotics-tinged turntablism and game-influenced loops. Lyrically, Del is in rare form, sounding fully settled into his style as if rhyming is merely second nature. He masterfully balances a stream-of-consciousness flow with pinpointed intent, showcasing his ability to zone out in freestyle mode just as well as he can focus on existence and life experiences. From humorous observations to sharp takes on fair-weather friends and industry fakes, to serious cautionary tales and a full-blown ode to video-game culture, Del covers it all. Ultimately, Both Sides of the Brain feels and sounds like an artist hitting his full creative stride, finding comfort in pushing his own boundaries.