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· Rolling Stone“The Daisy Age debut that proved hip-hop didn't need to be hard to be revolutionary. Prince Paul's production is a psychedelic collage. Playful, inventive, and the reason sampling laws changed forever.”
De La Soul, formed in 1987 in Amityville, Long Island, consists of rappers Trugoy, Posdnuos, and DJ Prince Paul. Their debut album 'Three Feet High and Rising' (1989) revolutionized hip-hop production with its sample-heavy, jazz-influenced approach and whimsical sensibility, earning platinum certification and establishing them as leaders of the Native Tongues Collective. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, they released critically acclaimed albums including 'De La Soul Is Dead' (1991), 'Buhloone Mindstate' (1993), and 'Mosaic Thump' (1999). Known for their positive, socially conscious lyrics and innovative sample-based production, they influenced generations of alternative hip-hop artists and remained active performers, eventually releasing their final album 'And the Anonymous Nobody' (2016) before Trugoy's passing in 2023.
Style
De La Soul pioneered "Native Tongues" hip-hop, blending jazz samples, funk, soul, and psychedelic elements with playful, conscious lyricism. Their production style featured dense, creative sampling and a signature whimsical aesthetic that contrasted with harder East Coast and West Coast rap trends.
Significance
As originating members of the Native Tongues Collective, De La Soul profoundly shaped alternative hip-hop and expanded the genre's artistic possibilities through groundbreaking production and positivity-focused messaging. Their early vinyl releases remain highly sought-after by collectors for their innovative production, classic artwork, and cultural importance to hip-hop history.
Three Feet High and Rising emerged from the creative chemistry between De La Soul's Trugoy and Posdnuos and producers Prince Paul and Stetsasonic's DJ Bricklay. Recorded primarily in 1988 at various New York studios, the album captures the group's playful, intellectual approach to hip-hop during a pivotal moment in the genre's evolution. Prince Paul's innovative production—layering obscure samples, skits, and comedic interludes—created a cohesive narrative that felt more like a quirky film soundtrack than a traditional rap album. The group's positive, anti-violence messaging and embracing of the "Daisy Age" aesthetic challenged rap's emerging gangsta image, emphasizing fun, wordplay, and social consciousness. Key tracks like "Me Myself and I" and "Say No Go" became instant classics, establishing De La Soul as innovative thinkers rather than mere trend-followers.
Historical Context
Released in March 1989, Three Feet High and Rising arrived during hip-hop's explosive commercial expansion, competing with N.W.A's Straight Outta Compton and establishing an alternative vision for the genre. The album's critical and commercial success (eventually going platinum) proved there was significant audience appetite for intelligent, humorous hip-hop beyond the hardcore East Coast rap dominating New York clubs. The album's influence extended beyond music into fashion and visual culture, with its Stetsasonic-style dressing and Afrocentric aesthetics inspiring a generation of alternative hip-hop artists. Critics praised its originality, though some dismissed its lighter tone amid rap's increasingly serious street narratives.
Pressing Notes
The original 1989 Tommy Boy Records LP pressing is highly sought by collectors, with early pressings featuring superior sound quality and original artwork. The album has been reissued multiple times, including a 2-LP remaster released in 2019 by Rhino Records that restored original liner notes and expanded packaging. Collectors should note that the vinyl pressing quality varies significantly between editions—original pressings tend to command premium prices at around $30-80 depending on condition. The album remains in print, making it accessible to new collectors, though original 1989 pressings with minimal wear are increasingly difficult to find.
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