Bleep

The long overdue De La Soul renaissance is upon us. All of the vital New York group’s classic material has finally been reissued, that rightfully stakes their crucial position in the genesis of hip hop culture. It all starts with their 1989 debut LP 3 Feet High and Rising. Spawning massive singles like ‘Me, Myself, and I’, ‘The Magic Number’, and ‘Eye Know’, as well as beloved deep cuts like ‘Jenifa Taught Me’ and the Tribe Called Quest collab ‘Buddy’, De La Soul’s radical positivity put them somewhat at odds with the growing nihilism of the era’s contemporary rap. However, their adventurous sampling, lush production style, and dexterous rapping on 3 Feet slated them to be a crucial influence on the coming explosion of hip hop. That guidance is still felt today.