With Deltron 3030, Del tha Funkee Homosapien landed where he was always meant to be - outer space. Paired with Dan The Automator, the Oakland based MC took on the persona of Deltron Zero in the year 3030. Rounding out the trio of space exploring hip hop heads was Kid Koala on the cuts. When this first came out in 2000 a lot of the backpack toting underground was hoping for the second coming of Dr. Octagon, the Automator-helmed Kool Keith vehicle. However, the concept and the MC delivered a completely different beast. Del has always been one of the more out-there lyricists to grab the mic, but he has a penchant for elaborate puns and encyclopedic vocabulary in place of Keith's X rated imagination. The basic premise of Deltron 3030 is the MC traveling the galaxy, participating in rap battles where his rhymes summon psychic powers and destroy his opponents. The trio is joined by a myriad of guests as they travel the stars, many of whom made appearances on Handsome Boy Modeling School around the same time. Deltron 3030 seems to be where the seeds for Damon Albarn's Gorillaz project were sewn as well. The Blur frontman makes an appearance on the intro and the standout "Time Keeps On Slipping." It's in this unique setting, just to the left of hip hop, where Del shines. He is able to imagine his own world and create a stark vision of the future. One where he lives rent free while the world falls apart around him. And Del's expert wordplay serves him well in this dystopian future. Backed up by The Automator's deftly crafted beats and Koala's precise cuts Deltron 3030 is one of Del's greatest efforts since I Wish My Brother George Was Here.

• black double vinyl pressing
• Music Label: Deltron Partners 2000/2011

reviewed by Michu Meszaros 10/2012