In an industry where it's common to see undiscovered talent get signed under a major label artist's label only to get trapped in a financially parasitic situation, Hiero CEO Tajai Massey makes it clear that this program is nothing like the typical industry contracts that exploit up-and-coming artists. Instead, the program is about taking artists who already have a complete package and mentoring them on the business side of the industry so that they can be capable of controlling their own careers and become the CEOs of tomorrow. "Hiero isn't looking to help polish lyrics or build from the ground up. Triple i League contenders must already be complete artists who are ready to move on to the next level," remarks Tajai.

New recruits must go through a rigorous regimen of trials and exercises in the Hiero Compound in East Oakland before being formally accepted as team members of the Triple i League. In keeping with the Hieroglyphics' aesthetic, a candidate needs to be lyrically adept and have depth to their music. Tajai explains, "We're looking for people that can bring honesty and integrity to the plate. Emcees with made-up images need not apply because that sort of artifice can be hard to maintain. Honesty about who you are and where you come from is the number one quality that will get you ahead in this game."