Souls of Mischief on Montezuma's Revenge Tour '09

If you were a teenager in 1993, it seemed like there was nothing but good hip hop coming out from all over the country. New York had Tribe, De La Soul, Wu Tang, Nas and Biggie (among countless others); the South had Outkast; L.A. had Snoop, Dre, Cypress HIll and The Soul Assassins; and the Bay Area had Too Short, E-40, and Hieroglyphics. Hailing from Oakland, CA and led by Del the Funky Homosapien, the Hiero crew of Souls of Mischief, Domino, Casual, and Pep Love were at the forefront of the classic era of influencial rap music. Most were them were teenagers then too.

For those of us now all grown, looking back it's easy to realize that it was a very special thing to be part of. Sure, hip hop has changed a lot over the years... but luckily some things remain the same. Like the raw talent of all the acts mentioned above. Souls of Mischief was a big part of that early nineties explosion of musical creativity, and it's on their current nation wide tour that you can not only catch a glimpse of a time long since past, but realize that '93 'til Infinity was more than just a good song and album title.

In November 2009 Souls will release Montezuma's Revenge, co-produced by the legendary Prince Paul on their own Hieroglyphics Imperium Recordings label. Independent since 1995, the Hiero crew choose to forgo dealing with major record labels in order to maintain complete creative control of their music and not be forced to succumb to the commercial rap mindset that today plagues the industry. It's not the easiest road to take, but certainly one of integrity and deserving of respect. Along with D.E.E.P. R.O.O.T.E.D. and Strong Arm Steady, they're on the road right now performing both the old and the new, and keeping that indy spirit alive.

Strong Arm Steady is the formation of West Coasters Krondon (above), Phil Da Agony and Mitchy Slick.

You may have heard Phil Da Agony on cuts with the Alkaholiks, Defari and the Likwit Crew, the Beatjunkies, and many more throughout the years. Now as Strong Arm Steady, the group is set to release not only an album called Stoney Jackson with Madlib, but another on Talib Kweli's Blacksmith label in 2010.

Mitchy Slick steady rockin' Diamond Supply Co.

When it's time for Souls of Mischief to come out, our old friend DJ Lex warms up the crowd with a cinematic introduction.

Souls of Mischief always brings the party to the crowd.

And they throw it right back.

A-Plus, Opio and Phesto rippin' shit.

The De La Soul chapter of Frank151 feeling right at home.

The Souls crew usually polishes off a full bottle of Patron before they take the stage, and no telling what happens afterwards.

For fans of the golden age of hip hop, the Hiero crew are not only living legends but continue to inspire and help create the culture that we know and love. Please support these guys and show them love if they happen to swing through your town ( for tour dates click here). Of course, you always just follow them on facebook and twitter. Yeah, it's definitely not 1993 anymore.