Much has been said about the legacy of Del the Funky Homosapien, but he’s hoping to expand it. As a critically acclaimed emcee hailing from Oakland, California, Del is credited with being an influential figure in the Bay area Rap scene. From his solo work to his collaborations to his material with Hieroglyphics brethren, Del has become an adored figure in the California landscape. His latest effort, a collaborative project with Parallel Thought, is Attractive Sin, an album that is sure to add to his discography as another solid effort from Sir DZL.

As he’s done so often in his career, Del helps Attractive Sin shine with lyricism and flow. From the outset, the Yay area wordsmith showcases his unique sharpness and intriguing delivery. His rhyme patterns remain strong, as he places multiple syllable rhymes within lines and clever wordplay. “Ain’t come to teach fools. I just like to speak through the African rhythms. It’s trapped in my system,” he rhymes on “Different Guidelines,” a standout cut. The song allows Del to explains why he’s “different” in an anthemic manner that becomes familiar to nearly any listener. “Front Like You Know” is another cut that shows Del’s knack for catchy, relatable tunes. With all of this, the album still shines, but it’s not solely because of Del.

Parallel Thought bring their soulful flash to the disc. As a result, Sin becomes a perfect sound bed for Del’s unmistakable voice and unpredictable flow. “Different Guidelines,” “Blow Your Mind” and “Get to Drillin” showcase the aforementioned soul with flare. “1520 Sedgewick” is an ode to Hip Hop with enough to make B-Boys rock, also showing some variety in PT’s arsenal. While “Activated Sludge” has another soulful beat, it’s eerily reminiscent of Ant’s sample flip on “Picket Fence” for Brother Ali. Still, there’s little else to knock from a production standpoint as Parallel Thought provides solid production behind Del yet again.

As a whole, Attractive Sin is another example of Del’s legacy growing as years pass. He shows his knack for creative rhymes and fluid delivery without missing a beat over strong instrumentation. It may not be enough to overshadow his past work, but it’s another sign of diversity and strength from the Bay today. It might also be “different” in many ways but that’s what has always set Del apart.