Rap artist Del tha Funkee Homosapien to play Bluebird

The second of four scheduled high-profile hip hop shows at the Bluebird, Del tha Funkee Homosapien, will perform Friday night, with Texas rapper Devin the Dude opening for him.\nDel, who describes his rap flow as “angry aggressive,” promises a high-energy performance. Early in his career, Del said he wasn’t thinking about performing songs live when he created them, but now there is a synergy between the music he makes in the studio and that of which he performs to live audiences.\n“The live show is paramount,” Del said.\nDel began his hip-hop career in 1990 writing lyrics for his cousin Ice Cube’s rap group Da Lench Mob. He released his first solo album in 1991. Then came Hieroglyphics, a hip-hop super group. In 2001, Del co-wrote and rapped on the Gorillaz hit “Clint Eastwood.” His fifth studio album, “11th Hour”, will be coming out within the next year.\n“Get down on the ‘11th Hour,’” Del said. “It will be a dope album; I will perform a little bit (of it) when I get there.”\nDevin the Dude started recording solo albums in 1998 and has collaborated with Scarface, UGK, Jay-Z, Nas, Dr. Dre and the late DJ Screw. Fans of Devin appreciate his laid-back southern croon and his care-free delivery. Songs like “Doobie Ashtray” and “Sticky Green” are about recreational drug use. Devin the Dude released his fourth studio album, “Waiting to Inhale” earlier this year. \n“I get the energy from the audience and then I give it right back to them,” he said. “It’s a recycling of energy.”\nThe show starts at 10 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $15 and are still available at Ticketmaster and the Bluebird box office.