Future Development is Del the Funky Homosapien's third albumand, following his departure from major label Elektra, his first solofull-length for his independent label, Hieroglyphics ImperiumRecordings. Originally released on cassette in 1997, and laterreissued on CD and vinyl in 2002, the album largely relied onin-house production from Del along with contributions from Hierocrew members A-Plus, Opio, and Toure. The only guest feature onthe album is from crew member Casual, who joins Del on theenergetic "Checking Out The Rivalry."Sonically, Future Development bridges the funk-heavy stylings ofDel's debut with the darker, more futuristic textures he explored onNo Need for Alarm. Lyrically, Del refines his rapid-fire wordplay withsharper thematic focus, tackling life in Oakland, societalobservations and hip-hop culture, all with a blend of humor,streetwise insight, and multi-syllabic dexterity. Ultimately, the albumcaptures a snapshot of his progression from raw talent to a moreconceptually matured songwriter. It remains a significant andunder-appreciated chapter in Del's evolution, showcasing earlyseeds of the creativity and independence that would come to definemuch of his career thereafter.
- 1. Lyric Licking
- 2. Stress the World
- 3. Why You Wanna Get Funky
- 4. Don't Forget the Bass
- 5. Faulty
- 6. X-Files
- 7. Future Development
- 8. Corner Story
- 9. Love Is Worth
- 10. Del's Nightmare
- 11. Games Begin
- 12. Town to Town
- 13. Checkin Out the Rivalry Casual