BY NICOLE CORMIER / MARCH 22, 2018

This month, Oakland, California’s Del announced the collaborative project with renowned producer/musician, Amp Live (formerly of Zion I). It represents a merging of two very meaningful Hip-Hop artists, especially to the Bay Area. The duo’s debut album, Gate 13 is due to drop on April 20, and they teased its arrival with the lead single, “Wheel Of Fortune.”

The new LP has kicked off a journey of self-discovery for the Hieroglyphics MC, and this project will serve as a personal reinvention, stemming from watching Battle Rap and studying the principles of Comedy, according to a recent interview on HipHopDX.

“Wheel Of Fortune” exemplifies both the Comedy and the battle bars elements as D-E-L goes for the jugular while still keeping with his humorous and laid-back personality that his fans have come to love. The veteran MC’s subdued, yet highly enunciated flow balances the energy of the manic and plucky production. A Reggae-inspired segue gives Amp Live a minute to shine alone while Del gathers strength for his next delivery. Beyond his work with Zion and Unified Highway, Amp has provided official Radiohead remixes, in addition to work for Eligh and Goapele, both of whom feature on Gate 13.

With lines like, “Get them slapped so tough / Their IQ grew-some,” and “Detached without a body / Like a bat defiled by Ozzy,” delivered in the Funky Homosapien’s melodic, it’s like being transported back to the ‘90s with the sensibilities of today.

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