It’s been no secret that De La Soul fans have not had access to the iconic rap group’s records in years. Now, De La Soul’s six iconic albums finally arrived on streaming services.
The Thorough Brothers From The East
De La Soul’s Posdnuos and Maseo with Dave Chapelle counted down to midnight to debut their first six albums to music streaming services from the late 1980s to the early 2000s.
De La Soul’s music was kept by labels for years but as of March 3, the iconic trio’s music will finally be on streaming services.
“We fought so hard and so long for it,” Maseo, the group’s DJ said.
In the last year, the trio, Posdnuos (Kelvin Mercer), Trugoy The Dove (David Jude Jolicoeur), and Maseo (Vincent Mason Jr.) collaborated to rework the project by scouring through original recordings, tapes, and getting necessary sample clearances.
Their music was unavailable on streaming services due to legal disputes with their former record label, Tommy Boy Records, over the streaming rights to their earlier albums.
The celebration was bittersweet, missing Trugoy who died at 54 on Feb. 12, a week after the 65th Annual Grammys. Trugoy died from congestive heart failure.
De La Soul Was A Chunk Of Hip-hop Missing In The 2020s
De La Soul is known for their positive and socially conscious lyrics, often touching on self-respect, anti-violence, and anti-drug use. The group was praised for its uplifting messages and for promoting a more positive image of hip-hop culture.
The trio was also influential in the development of alternative hip-hop and has been credited with inspiring other artists to experiment with different sounds and styles. Their use of sampling and their incorporation of jazz and funk elements have been particularly influential.
They’ve also been known for their collaborations with A Tribe Called Quest, Busta Rhymes, and Gorillaz. They have also been sampled by other artists, including Kanye West and Nas.
They’ve also received several awards including a Grammy Award for “Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals” for collaborating with Gorillaz on the song “Feel Good Inc.” in 2006.