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Both Sides Of The Brain (Cassette)
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Pre-order information

Releases December 19th, 2025.

This item is a pre-order and expected to ship the week of the above-mentioned release date.

Any other items purchased with this pre-order will NOT ship until this ship date or the latest pre-order date on your order. If you need the other items sooner, please order them separately.

Product Information

Bundle with Both Sides of the Brain merch & music

  • Metallic purple foil cassette cartridge with white imprint.
  • Packaged in plastic cassette shell.
  • Includes 4-panel j-card insert.

In many ways, Both Sides of the Brain, released on Hiero Imperium in 2000, is a key milestone in Del’s career. He had already built a strong following with 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 there also helped launch his crew, Hieroglyphics.

In 1997, Del released Future Development, originally intended as his third Elektra album, but the label terminated his deal before release. As other members of Hieroglyphics began losing major-label support, they turned this setback into an opportunity—taking full control of their output through their independent label, Hieroglyphics Imperium Recordings.

This independence sparked creative growth that shines through on Both Sides of the Brain. Del took a much more hands-on role in production, shaping most of the album’s sound, with additional contributions from Domino, Casual, A-Plus, El-P, Prince Paul, and Khaos Unique. The beats range from funk-heavy basslines to spacey collages and game-influenced loops, forming a diverse sonic backdrop for Del’s flow.

Lyrically, Del sounds fully in his element—balancing stream-of-consciousness delivery with sharp intent. He jumps from humor (“If You Must”) to commentary on friendships (“Pet Peeves”), phoniness in the industry (“Fake As Fuck”), cautionary stories about alcohol (“Skull & Crossbones”) and addiction (“Soopa Feen”), and a full ode to gaming culture (“Proto Culture”).

Ultimately, Both Sides of the Brain captures Del hitting his creative stride and confidently expanding his artistic range.

Tracklist

Side A:

  1. Time Is Too Expensive
  2. If You Must
  3. Jaw Gymnastics (feat. Casual)
  4. Pet Peeves
  5. Press Rewind
  6. Offspring (feat. El-P)
  7. Style Police
  8. Fake as Fuck

Side B:

  1. BM’s
  2. Skull & Crossbones
  3. Soopa Feen
  4. Disastrous
  5. Signature Slogans
  6. Catch All This
  7. Phoney Phranchise
  8. Proto Culture (feat. Khaos Unique)
  9. Stay On Your Toes (feat. A-Plus)

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