Quadstock XXII: Del The Funky Homosapien

Quadstock featured pop-rock headliner Tokyo Police Club last year, but this year, SEAC is bringing the funk with hip-hop artist Del the Funky Homosapien.

Del (previously "tha Funkee Homosapien") began his career writing lyrics for his cousin Ice Cube but has since established himself in his own career as what Pitchfork calls an "underground hip-hop veteran." He has released nine studio albums, the most recent of which is titled "Golden Era" and was released in April. The album has received mostly positive reviews.

Though he was predicted to become a pop star in the early ‘90s, he has since evolved into an artist who respects the roots of hip-hop. His is not the kind of music you'd hear bumping from the car stereos of wannabe suburban thugs. Del's music is funky as his name. It's based on ferocious rhymes, strong beats and stream-of-consciousness lyrics that are almost freestyle-esque with a more diverse and elevated vocabulary than most mainstream rappers. Del has said his lyrics are not concerned with the same subjects of gangster rap, violence is absent from his lyrics.

Last year, Quadstock's resident rapper was Macklemore, a goofy Seattle native who appeared in costume at one point during his set. Del also hails from the West Coast, having spent most of his career in California. Del's performance won't be nearly as comical as Macklemore's, Del's performance style being much more classic hip-hop. He performs with a casual swagger and a "West Coast drawl" is ever present in his voice. But humor won't be totally devoid from Del's performance, his lyrics have a self-aware sarcasm, possessing a wit so dry at times, you can't tell if he is really joking.

Del has previously collaborated with artists like Gorillaz, Deltron 300 and Oakland Hieroglyphics. This vet is sure to bring a great show to end Quadstock. Come ready for slick beats and bob your head along with this Quadstock closer.