The Documentary/Screening:

Til Infinity is an in-depth documentary on the legendary Bay Area hip-hop group Souls of Mischief, featuring the crew’s journey to their landmark ’93 Til Infinity album. Til Infinity will be making its New York screening debut at the New York City International Film Festival on Friday, May 1, having been previously screened at events such as the Pan-African Film Fest, while being the winner of Best Local Film at the San Francisco Black Film Festival last year.

Directed by Oakland filmmaker/life-long Souls of Mischief fan Shomari Smith, Til Infinity celebrates the 20-year anniversary of ’93 Til Infinity, offering a retrospective look at the famed project with commentary from hip-hop notables such as A Tribe Called Quest‘s Phife Dawg, Dilated People‘s Rakaa Iriscience, Talib Kweli, Yasiin Bey (Mos Def), Robert Bobbito Garcia, award-winning writer Thembisa S. Mshaka, Snoop Lion (Snoop Dogg), A&R rep Dante Ross, radio and television icon DJ Sway, and more. Til Infinity shows Souls of Mischief in a way never seen before, with the members discussing their early creative process and sharing personal stories about each track on the album, as well as the decision to go independent as one of the only hip-hop groups to walk away from a major record label while owning their publishing rights.

“I have spent a great amount of my life following hip-hop culture as a fan and supporter of the music,” says director Shomari Smith. “It only made sense to feel a connection to the music of a group of guys who grew up in my neighborhood in East Oakland, California and attended my same schools. This group was the Souls Of Mischief.” As part of the larger collective of MC’s, producers, and DJ’s known as Hieroglyphics, Souls of Mischief continue making strides in the Bay Area hip-hop scene with a style and energy all their own. Their story is one of brotherhood, loyalty, perseverance, and innovation. Til Infinity captures that essence, inspiring audiences to stay course and follow their passions. Catch the New York screening debut on Friday, May 1 at Helen Mills Theater.

Watch the Til Infinity trailer: https://vimeo.com/82755755

The Background:

Founded in 1997 in Oakland, California, Hiero Imperium Records was founded by artists Del The Funky Homosapien, Casual, Pep Love, Domino, and the group Souls of Mischief, consisting of members A-Plus, Opio, Phesto and Tajai. After releasing albums on several major labels, the collective established their own independent Hieroglyphics Imperium label, website, and merch company in 1997, and are credited as creating the blueprint for independent rap labels. Few other rap collectives have withstood the test of time and are still considered as vibrant, respected, and talented as when they first stepped on the scene 20+ years ago. They are also credited as being one of the first hip hop groups to work with skate, snow, and surf companies . Created by Del the Funky Homosapien, their “third eye logo” is considered the third most recognized music logo according to Rolling Stone Magazine, and has been seen tattooed on dozens of fans all over the world.