Hieroglyphic Being is the recording name of Jamal Moss, a Chicago producer and DJ associated with techno, house, experimental and electronic music. He also records as The Sun God and IAMTHATIAM.

Origins and early activity

Moss is based in Chicago and is also identified with Knoxville in Tennessee. His early work includes creating industrial soundscapes for the Liquid Love parties at the Powerplant in Chicago in 1989 and 1990. After the Powerplant closes, he and his collaborators start Liquid Sex, which attracts a number of house artists from the city’s scene.

Scene connections and collaborators

He becomes part of the Chicago house and techno community as both a producer and DJ. Steve Poindexter introduces him to future collaborators in the Chicago Bad Boys collective, and Moss also works with the collective The Dirty Criminals. He is a member of Africans With Mainframes, Chicago Bad Boys, and I.B.M., the latter alongside Steve Poindexter.

Moss is mentored by Adonis, and both Adonis and Steve Poindexter are among the Chicago figures who shape his approach. His work is also described as being directly influenced by Ron Hardy and the Music Box era of Chicago club culture.

Mathematics Recordings

Moss is involved in his Chicago-based label Mathematics Recordings, where he serves as A&R. The label focuses on finding underground artists making raw, sculpted house music and also covers a broad range of styles including classic house, rhythmic noise, industrial jazz, acid house, ragtime electronics, new age, ambient and classical structures.

Style

His tracks are associated with experimentation and with the Chicago house tradition. The music reflects the city’s club history while also moving across house, techno and more experimental electronic forms.

Broadcast work

From autumn 1993 to summer 1996, Moss hosts and DJs on WNUR 89.3’s StreetBeat programme, presenting a segment called JACK-FM.