The Hieroglyphics are an alternative hip hop collective from Oakland, California, comprised of de facto leader Del the Funky Homosapien, Casual, Pep Love, the Souls of Mischief, DJ Toure, and producer/manager Domino. Making their full-length studio debut in 1998 with 3rd Eye Vision independently through Hieroglyphics Imperium Recordings to widespread praise, their 2003 sophomore effort Full Circle was also welcomed positively, although their follow-up a decade later, The Kitchen, generally left audiences divided. Thirteen years later, they are warming up for the crew’s annual Hiero Day festival with their fourth studio LP, All Said & Done.
“Mosaico: Suite 1” by Casual, Del the Funky Homosapien, Opio, and Tajai, produced by Domino, addresses the state of hip hop in 2026, while “Eyes Wide Shut” by A-Plus, Del, and Pep Love finds the trio confronting fraudulent hate over an A-Plus instrumental. The project continues with “Hieroglyphics Faction,” featuring A-Plus, Del, and Opio representing their crew over a boom bap beat from DJ Toure, while “Hard Numbers” by Casual, Del, Opio, Pep Love, and Phesto expresses a desire for their legacy to be properly accounted for.
A-Plus and Pep Love team up for the summery “Something in the Air,” discussing the importance of integrity, leading into “Drum Talk,” where Casual, Del the Funky Homosapien, Phesto, and Tajai focus on the rhythm of their craft. “The Way That It Be” by Casual, Phesto, and Tajai explores the comfort of their established paths, while “Gods & Goats” by A-Plus, Opio, and Pep Love closes the first half with the group likening themselves to bishops making proclamations.
The title track kicks off the second half, uniting A-Plus, Pep Love, and Phesto in a reflection on value, followed by “Uplifted,” which tackles the subject of optimism. “Helicopter Barrel Roll” by A-Plus, Opio, and Pep Love positions the group as hip hop’s gasoline, while “3rd Eye Robot (Kill ‘Em All)” by A-Plus, Pep Love, Phesto, and Tajai addresses the rise of artificial intelligence. The album concludes with “Hiero on the Scrolls,” the groovy “Mosaico: Suite 2,” “Everyday Shit,” and the final track, “Crescent Moon, Velvet Sky,” which cements their place among hip hop’s elite.
It is rare to see all nine members of the Hieroglyphics collaborate on an entire project, but All Said & Done stands as a significant achievement in their catalog. It ranks as their second-best collective effort, trailing only their seminal debut, 3rd Eye Vision. The boom bap production feels more focused than their previous outing, and the consciously abstract bars from the Bay Area’s finest MCs serve as a powerful reminder of the legacy they have built.
Score: 8/10