Fans of hip-hop group De La Soul have been waiting a long time to hear their classic albums on streaming services. The group’s first six albums had been unavailable for streaming due to a long-running dispute with their former label, Tommy Boy, over the use of unauthorized samples. But now, the wait is finally over. De La Soul’s classic albums, including “3 Feet High and Rising,” “De La Soul Is Dead,” and “Buhloone Mindstate,” are now available for streaming on all major platforms.
The availability of the albums is a major win for fans of the group, who have long sought to hear their music on streaming services. De La Soul’s music is widely regarded as some of the most innovative and influential in the history of hip-hop, with its use of sampling, eclectic musical styles, and humorous lyrics inspiring generations of artists.
“3 Feet High and Rising” is particularly notable for its impact on the development of alternative hip-hop and its influence on the “Daisy Age” movement. The album’s positive messages of unity and self-expression, delivered with a distinctive sing-song style, helped to redefine the possibilities of hip-hop music and laid the groundwork for a new generation of artists.
The group’s decision to release their music for streaming has been praised by many in the music industry, who see it as a positive step towards greater fairness and transparency in the way artists are compensated for their work. The move also reflects a broader trend in the music industry towards greater control and ownership of artists’ work, particularly in the digital age.
However, some have criticized the group’s decision, arguing that streaming services are not a fair or sustainable way for artists to earn a living from their music. The debate over streaming and digital royalties is likely to continue as the music industry continues to adapt to the digital age.
De La Soul has been active in the music industry for over three decades, and their music remains beloved by fans around the world. The group’s positive messages of unity and self-expression have resonated with audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Their influence on the development of alternative hip-hop and underground music scenes cannot be overstated.
In addition to their musical accomplishments, De La Soul has also been active in social justice causes, particularly around issues of police brutality and racial inequality. The availability of their music on streaming services will likely bring their music to a new generation of fans and help cement their legacy as one of hip-hop’s most innovative and influential groups.
In conclusion, De La Soul’s classic albums are now finally available for streaming, marking a major win for fans of the group and a positive step towards greater control and ownership of artists’ work. While the debate over streaming and digital royalties is likely to continue, the availability of De La Soul’s music on streaming services is sure to bring their music to a new generation of fans and help to ensure that their legacy as one of hip hop’s most important groups endures.
Also, Read – Musician Ben Kweller’s 16-year-old Son, Dorian, Died
3 Feet High and Rising
“3 Feet High and Rising” is a groundbreaking album by the hip hop group De La Soul, released in 1989. The album is widely regarded as a classic of the genre, and its innovative use of sampling, eclectic musical styles, and quirky humor helped to redefine the possibilities of hip hop music.
The title “3 Feet High and Rising” refers to the group’s height, as well as a reference to the phrase “high and mighty.” The album’s cover art, which features the members of De La Soul dressed in brightly colored, flower-printed outfits, reflects the group’s playful and unconventional approach to hip hop.
The album features a diverse range of musical styles, from soul and funk to psychedelic rock and pop. The group’s use of sampling, which includes everything from old-school hip hop beats to classic children’s records and movie soundtracks, is a defining characteristic of the album.
Lyrically, “3 Feet High and Rising” is characterized by its lighthearted and humorous approach. The group’s lyrics often focus on positive messages of unity and self-expression, and their delivery is marked by a distinctive sing-song style that has become a trademark of the group’s sound.
Here is a list of the songs on “3 Feet High and Rising”:
- “Intro”
- “The Magic Number”
- “Change in Speak”
- “Cool Breeze on the Rocks”
- “Can U Keep a Secret”
- “Jenifa Taught Me (Derwin’s Revenge)”
- “Ghetto Thang”
- “Transmitting Live from Mars”
- “Eye Know”
- “Take It Off”
- “A Little Bit of Soap”
- “Tread Water”
- “Potholes in My Lawn”
- “Say No Go”
- “Do as De La Does”
- “Plug Tunin’ (Last Chance to Comprehend)”
- “De La Orgee”
- “Buddy”
- “Description”
- “Me Myself and I”
- “This Is a Recording 4 Living in a Fulltime Era (L.I.F.E.)”
- “I Can Do Anything (Delacratic)”
- “D.A.I.S.Y. Age”
“3 Feet High and Rising” has had a lasting impact on hip hop music, influencing countless artists with its innovative use of sampling and musical styles. The album remains a beloved classic of the genre and a testament to the power of creative experimentation in music.
De La Soul is Dead
De La Soul’s second album, “De La Soul is Dead,” is widely considered one of the most innovative and influential albums in the history of hip hop. Released in 1991, the album marked a significant departure from the group’s debut album, “3 Feet High and Rising,” both in terms of its musical style and its thematic content.
The album’s title is a nod to the group’s desire to move away from the “happy-go-lucky” image that they had cultivated with their debut album and to explore darker and more serious themes in their music. The album’s cover art, which features a broken flower pot with a daisy growing out of it, is also a reflection of this theme, symbolizing the death of the group’s previous persona and the birth of something new.
Musically, “De La Soul is Dead” is a more complex and eclectic album than its predecessor, featuring a wider range of musical styles and influences. The album’s use of sampling is also more sophisticated, with the group exploring more obscure and unconventional sources for their samples.
Thematically, the album is a scathing critique of the music industry and the commercialization of hip hop, with the group using their lyrics to expose the harsh realities of the industry and the struggles that artists face to maintain their artistic integrity. The album also deals with issues of identity and self-discovery, with the group exploring their own sense of identity and place in the world through their music.
Despite its darker and more serious tone, “De La Soul is Dead” was a critical and commercial success, with many critics praising the album for its innovation, complexity, and depth. The album also helped to cement De La Soul’s reputation as one of the most important and influential groups in the history of hip hop.
Here is the track listing for “De La Soul is Dead”:
- “Intro”
- “Oodles of O’s”
- “Talkin’ Bout Hey Love”
- “Pease Porridge”
- “Skit 1”
- “Johnny’s Dead AKA Vincent Mason (Live from the BK Lounge)”
- “A Roller Skating Jam Named ‘Saturdays'”
- “WRMS’ Dedication to the Bitty”
- “Bitties in the BK Lounge”
- “Skit 2”
- “My Brother’s a Basehead”
- “Let, Let Me In”
- “Afro Connections at a Hi 5 (In the Eyes of the Hoodlum)”
- “Rap De Rap Show”
- “Millie Pulled a Pistol on Santa”
- “Who Do U Worship?”
- “Skit 3”
- “Kicked Out the House”
- “Pass the Plugs”
- “Not Over Till the Fat Lady Plays the Demo”
Buhloone Mindstate
Buhloone Mindstate is the third studio album by the American hip-hop group De La Soul. The album was released on September 21, 1993, and features collaborations with various artists such as Guru, Maceo Parker, and Shortie No Mass. The album has been praised for its musical experimentation, innovative production, and unique lyrical content.
Buhloone Mindstate marked another stylistic shift for De La Soul, as they moved away from the more whimsical and playful sound of their first two albums towards a more introspective and introspective sound. The album also saw the group collaborating with a number of different musicians, including jazz musicians and horn players, in order to create a more diverse and dynamic sound.
The album features several standout tracks, including “Eye Know,” which features a catchy sample from Steely Dan’s “Peg” and a memorable chorus from rapper and singer Vinia Mojica. Another standout track is “I Am I Be,” which features a sample from the Meters’ “Cissy Strut” and showcases the group’s ability to blend different genres of music together into a cohesive and compelling whole.
The album’s lyrical content is also notable for its focus on social and political issues, with the group exploring themes of racial identity, police brutality, and the power of the media to shape public opinion. This socially conscious approach was a departure from the more lighthearted and humorous lyrics of their earlier work and helped to establish the group as one of the most politically engaged and socially relevant acts in hip-hop at the time.
Here is the track listing for Buhloone Mindstate:
- “Intro”
- “Eye Patch”
- “En Focus” (feat. Shortie No Mass)
- “Patti Dooke” (feat. Guru)
- “I Be Blowin'” (feat. Maceo Parker)
- “Long Island Wildin'” (feat. SDP and Takagi Kan)
- “Ego Trippin’ (Part Two)”
- “Paul’s Revenge”
- “3 Days Later” (feat. Biz Markie)
- “Area”
- “I Am I Be”
- “In the Woods” (feat. Shortie No Mass)
- “Breakadawn”
- “Dave Has a Problem…Seriously”
- “Stone Age” (feat. Biz Markie)
Stakes Is High
Stakes Is High is the fourth studio album by the American hip-hop group De La Soul. The album was released on July 2, 1996, and is considered a classic of the genre, known for its socially conscious lyrics, innovative production, and mature sound.
The album’s title track, “Stakes Is High,” is a standout song and has become a seminal track in hip-hop history. The song is a commentary on the state of the rap game in the mid-1990s, criticizing the increasing violence, materialism, and commercialization of the industry. The track’s lyrics, “The stakes is high, you know them stakes is high / When we talkin’ ’bout the dues you can die,” have become a rallying cry for hip-hop fans who share the group’s concern for the direction of the genre.
Stakes Is High also features collaborations with a number of other artists, including Mos Def, Common, and D’Angelo. The album’s production is also noteworthy, with the group exploring a more stripped-down and minimalist sound that emphasizes the power of the lyrics and the message behind the music.
Here is the track listing for Stakes Is High:
- “Intro”
- “Supa Emcees”
- “The Bizness” (feat. Common)
- “Wonce Again Long Island”
- “Dinninit”
- “Brakes”
- “Dog Eat Dog”
- “Baby Phat” (feat. Truth Enola)
- “Long Island Degrees”
- “Betta Listen”
- “Itzsoweezee (HOT)” (feat. Busta Rhymes)
- “4 More” (feat. Zhane)
- “Big Brother Beat” (feat. Mos Def)
- “Down Syndrome”
- “Pony Ride” (feat. Truth Enola)
- “Stakes Is High” (feat. Mos Def and Truth Enola)
Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump
Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump is the fifth studio album by the American hip-hop group De La Soul. The album was released on August 8, 2000, and features collaborations with a number of different artists, including Redman, Ghostface Killah, and Biz Markie.
The album was the first release in a planned trilogy of albums that were intended to explore different aspects of hip-hop culture and music. Mosaic Thump was focused on the group’s own unique style and sound, incorporating elements of jazz, funk, and soul into their trademark playful and introspective lyrics.
One of the standout tracks on the album is “Oooh,” which features a memorable guest appearance from Redman and showcases the group’s ability to create a catchy and infectious groove. Another standout track is “My Writes,” which features guest appearances from Xzibit and J-Ro of the Alkaholiks and is a tribute to the art of freestyle rapping.
The album also features several socially conscious tracks, such as “Thru Ya City,” which explores issues of violence and poverty in urban America, and “The Art of Getting Jumped,” which deals with police brutality and racial profiling.
Here is the track listing for Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump:
- “Spitkicker.com / Say R.”
- “U Can Do (Life)”
- “My Writes” (feat. Xzibit and J-Ro of the Alkaholiks)
- “Oooh” (feat. Redman)
- “Thru Ya City” (feat. D.V. Alias Khrist)
- “I.C. Y’All” (feat. Busta Rhymes)
- “View”
- “Set the Mood” (feat. Indeed)
- “All Good?” (feat. Chaka Khan)
- “Declaration”
- “Squat!” (feat. Mike D of the Beastie Boys)
- “Words From the Chief Rocker” (feat. Busy Bee)
- “With Me” (feat. D.V. Alias Khrist)
- “Copa (Cabanga)” (feat. Common)
- “Foolin'” (feat. Ginuwine)
- “The Art of Getting Jumped” (feat. Biz Markie)
- “U Don’t Wanna B.D.S.” (feat. Freddie Foxxx)
AOI: Bionix
AOI: Bionix is the sixth studio album by the American hip-hop group De La Soul. The album was released on December 4, 2001, and is considered a return to the group’s roots, with a focus on their signature sound and lyrical style.
The album’s opening track, “Bionix,” sets the tone for the rest of the album, with its soulful samples and introspective lyrics. The song is a statement of intent, with the group declaring that they are “back to the future” and ready to reclaim their place as one of the most innovative and influential groups in hip-hop.
The album features a number of collaborations with other artists, including Ghostface Killah, Sean Paul, and Butta Verses. The production is also noteworthy, with the group experimenting with different sounds and styles, while still maintaining their trademark sound.
One of the standout tracks on the album is “Baby Phat,” which features a guest appearance from Yummy Bingham and is a tribute to the beauty and strength of women. Another standout track is “Simply,” which features a guest appearance from Guru of Gang Starr and is a meditation on the simple pleasures of life.
Here is the track listing for AOI: Bionix:
- “Bionix”
- “Baby Phat” (feat. Yummy Bingham)
- “Simply” (feat. Guru)
- “Simply Havin'”
- “Pawn Star” (feat. Shell Council)
- “What We Do (For Love)” (feat. Slick Rick)
- “Peer Pressure”
- “It’s American”
- “Trying People”
- “Declaration” (feat. MC Serch, Tash, and J-Ro)
- “Squat!” (feat. Mike D)
- “Words from the Chief Rocker”
- “With Me” (feat. Sean Paul)
- “Copa (Cabanga)” (feat. Beenie Man)
- “Hold Tight” (feat. Butta Verses)
- “Bionix Remix” (feat. Supa Dave West)