I’ve always thought that if I were to introduce hip-hop to my three nieces, that it would probably consist of a supergroup of Prince Paul, Chali 2na, Ladybug Mecca, Scratch and Wordsworth, and they would probably take on the personas of animated dinosaurs, and … oh, what? This already exists?

Yes, yes it does. They’re called the Dino-5. And, honestly, I don’t know what to make of it, either. It’s part of the Baby Loves Music series that is geared toward, yeah, babies. But with a lineup like that, how can adults resist?

So these five have gotten together to “tell the story of prehistoric hip-hop.” Prince Paul is DJ Steogosaurus; Chali 2na is MC T-Rex; Ladybug is Tracy Triceratops; Scratch (from the Roots) is TEO Pterodactyl and Wordsworth is Billy Brontosaurus. Sounds cheesy, I know. But, come on … how else are you gonna break your kids into this? And at this point, I’ll take anything from Ladybug (what’s with that Digable Planets reunion already?).

Look for an album from the Dino-5 this spring. In the meantime, their theme song is below.

• The Dino-5 | theme song

Just a couple days after talking about Atmosphere’s May 5 date in Tempe, I’ve got a handle on a new track from his forthcoming album, When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold (April 22, Rhymesayers).

According to a one-sheet, the album is based on fictional narratives that deal with societal issues, including parenthood (as heard on Shoulda Known). The album includes a 40-page hard-cover book that includes a children’s story by Slug. (Probably different than this children’s story.)

Remember to submit questions to Atmosphere for Slug and Ant’s weekly Paint it Gold video series.

• Atmosphere | Shoulda Known
• Atmosphere | Shoulda Known (instrumental)

I’m guessing (hoping) you’ve heard Bubble Pop, the first track off the forthcoming Del album Eleventh Hour, due out March 11 on Definitive Jux.

Without question, Del has provided one of the most unique deliveries and distinctive voices in hip-hop since he dropped 1991’s Parliament/Funkadelic-inspired I Wish My Brother George Was Here. Not only that, he helped usher his crew, Hieroglyphics, into an era of self-sustainment after his falling out with Elektra (and the rest of Hiero’s parting with Jive Records). Del’s work with Dan the Automator as Deltron, Gorillaz and even Dinosaur Jr. (Judgment Night soundtrack, anyone?) shows his willingness to work outside the underground hip-hop safe zone.

So it makes sense for Del to team up with another independent spirit in Def Jux. And it’s not totally surprising: Def Jux head El-P made a cameo on the track Offspring from Del’s Both Sides of the Brain.

Workin’ It shows Del in fine form, both on the mic and behind the boards. The sci-fi-esque raygun loop recalls something like Deltron while Del’s rhyme pattern is decidedly scaled back but tight nonetheless.

• Del the Funky Homosapien | Workin’ It

I miss Latyrx. I’m not saying I don’t like the solo work from Lyrics Born, because I do. Let’s just say if you haven’t heard 1997’s Latyrx (The Album), there’s a major void in your collection.

Anyway, that really has nothing to do with Lyrics Born’s new album – called Everywhere At Once and due for release April 22 on Anti. It just makes me long for the days of the fluid back-and-forth verses with he and Lateef the Truthspeaker. Ah, memories.

On this new track, Hot 2 Deff, Lyrics Born calls on MC-for-hire Chali 2na (seriously, what artist hasn’t he made a guest appearance for?) for an upbeat tune that mixes a club-happy beat with LB’s smooth, nearly breathless flow.

• Lyrics Born (feat. Chali 2na) | Hot 2 Deff