DE LA SOUL

De La Soul Addressed Their Fight To Gain Control Of Their Catalog After Years Of Legal Issues With Tommy Boy Records

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Just months before Hip-hop’s 50th commemoration, De La Soul shared that their entire catalog would finally be available on streaming platforms for the first time. As one of rap music’s most impactful trios, fans jump for joy knowing that their years-long battle with former label Tommy Boy Records had finally ended. Unfortunately, beloved member Trugoy died before it could happen.

Now that their critically acclaimed bodies of work are available for all to enjoy, Maseo and Posdnuos addressed their fight to gain control of their catalog. The group discussed their lengthy legal pursuit in the teaser clip for their upcoming appearance on People’s Party with Talib Kweli.

“I’m going to be very candid and very real; it was like freeing the slaves but adding vagrancy laws,” said Maseo. Vagrancy laws were enacted to essentially make it a crime for an individual to loiter. For decades, vagrancy laws have been criticized as an attack on unhoused people.

With his statement, Maseo seemingly touches on the rumors that the group almost were given their rights to the past works but were told they wouldn’t be allowed to monetize it any further. This was at the root of online speculation after negotiations between parties were shut down in 2019.

Maseo continued, “[The deal] was almost like giving me a house that I couldn’t do nothing with… the wordplay in the contracts. I have a house I can live in, but I can’t sell it. I can’t control nothing [in it], but I can live inside of it. That just wasn’t going to work for me or my crew. It was another form of slavery, in my opinion.”

Maseo’s wife, Tina, played a critical role in his desire to push forward. “The more we continued to talk about it [I realized] we were talking about a new deal over old music and [look at] the age we’re at, at the same time… What future opportunity are we really talking about?.. The more I assessed this thing, we’re in a business where we are worth more dead than alive. So, it was really about negotiating that deal based on death and life. Knowing the realities of the business that we are in,” proclaimed Maseo.

He closed by saying, “It was a tough decision to make, but God was on our side. My wife was on my side, and it worked out for the best. It wasn’t even Tommy Boy that made it right. It was the new owners of the catalog that did. Tommy Boy… Tom Silverman would’ve never made it right.”

Watch the full clip above.

De La Soul Release Physical LPs Of ‘Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump’ And ‘AOI: Bionix’ Today

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De La Soul

 De La Soul is thrilled to announce the release of the highly anticipated physical albums Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump and AOI: Bionix, accompanied by additional exclusive merchandise available today on the band’s website.

The albums of the “Art Official Intelligence” or AOI series were landmark releases in De La Soul’s musical journey, garnering acclaim for their experimental compositions and thought-provoking lyrics. With the unveiling of the final two albums from this illustrious series, De La Soul once again proves why they remain one of the most influential and enduring forces in hip-hop.

Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump, originally released on August 8, 2000, features an impressive lineup of guests, including Redman, Tash, J-Ro of Tha Liks, Xzibit, Busta Rhymes, Mike D and Ad Rock of the Beastie Boys, Busy Bee, Freddie Foxxx, and Chaka Khan. The album marked De La Soul’s triumphant return to the charts with hit singles “Oooh” and “All Good?”. “Oooh” received a nomination for a Source Award, as well as a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. 

AOI: Bionix, De La Soul’s sixth full-length album, which was originally released on December 4, 2001, features a dynamic mix of collaborations, including “Baby Phat” with Yummy Bingham and Devin the Dude, and “Held Down” with Cee-Lo, where Posdnuos delves into introspective themes like fatherhood, religion, and fame. Notably, the album also includes “What We Do (For Love)” featuring Slick Rick, a humorous song about puberty and sexual discovery. The album’s songs are also interspersed with skits with Reverend Do Good that provide additional social commentary and act as intros and outros. Notably, the final Reverend Do Good skit features an intriguing reference to Ghost Weed, tying back to De La Soul’s previous album, Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump. The song “Peer Pressure,” with a captivating intro and outro by J Dilla, celebrates the marijuana-themed track produced by the legendary artist.

De La Soul recently released the fan favorite “Buddy (Native Tongue Decision)” remix on all streaming platforms. Originally released as a 12” remix in 1989, was produced by Prince Paul and features A Tribe Called Quest, Queen Latifah, Monie Love, and Jungle Brothers to all streaming partners.  

The post De La Soul Release Physical LPs Of ‘Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump’ And ‘AOI: Bionix’ Today first appeared on The Source.

The post De La Soul Release Physical LPs Of ‘Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump’ And ‘AOI: Bionix’ Today appeared first on The Source.

Diamond D And De La Soul’s Posdnuos Rise Above On The Visuals For ”Flying High”

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Diamond D is celebrating life as well as hip-hop’s 50th anniversary in his new video for “Flying High,” which boasts a guest feature from De La Soul’s Posdnuos and cameos from a slew of hip-hop legends.

The video is directed by Tommy Nova, iRossta, Adrian Ferguson and Diamond D, who also produced the soulful instrumental for the track. The visuals center on the upbeat, triumphant vibes of “Flying High,” which the rapper/producer says “the song is about rising above negativity while enjoying life to the fullest.” Diamond D embraces that message here by cruising around in the 7, enjoying some fine dining with Scram Jones, Buckwild and Statik Selektah to popping bottles and good vibes with rap royalty like Pos, Maseo. N.O.R.E., DJ EFN and Stacy Epps.

But “Flying High” is more than just an example of how to get your mind right. Diamond D and Pos both rap their asses off, too, and deliver a string of slick quotables as Diamond D spits “Shootin dice on the beechcraft, Meticulous over each draft / Everything is symmetric, The pen? The beats? Dyslexic / Gigahertz flow all electric, 28 grams on the metric.” 

Check out the visuals and head over to support The Rear View, available now on Dymond Mine Records / EMPIRE Distribution. In addition to Posdnuos, the 14-track LP includes guest appearances by Chris Rock, Fat Joe, Westside Gunn, DJ Cash Money, Stacy Epps, Ashtin Martin and more, with production supplied by himself along with Nottz, Focus, D.R.U.G.S. Beats, Mr.Brady and Len Funk.

The album is also available on CD and vinyl in both a classic black version through Fat Beats as well as an exclusive translucent light blue edition via HHV.

The post Diamond D And De La Soul’s Posdnuos Rise Above On The Visuals For ”Flying High” first appeared on The Source.

The post Diamond D And De La Soul’s Posdnuos Rise Above On The Visuals For ”Flying High” appeared first on The Source.

Yasiin Bey Says “Thank God For De La Soul”

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During a recent interview with Audible, Yasiin Bey discussed his early career. The interview was part of a series of interviews in celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip hop. Yasiin Bey, formerly known as Mos Def, revealed that he struggled to find other artists that were doing what he was looking to do at the time. He shares that he was able to connect his own art to De La Soul’s, which he explained wasn’t common. The artist is currently making his way around the United States with Erykah Badu on her “Unfollow Me” tour.

“Watching the world just be on fire, you know,” Yasiin Bey explains, “Or at least, my community, with the crime and the drugs.” He continues, “And there was a very indifferent attitude towards what was happening to us, too — there was no telethons for crack babies. So I was like, this popular cultural narrative isn’t working for anybody, you know?”

Read More: “De La Soul Is Dead” Turns 32: A Groundbreaking Album

Yasiin Bey Discusses His Early Influences

“So much got lost getting the game that it wasn’t working. So I started writing, just about what I was seeing, and about what I felt. And my brother, God bless him […] we used to watch TV. Video Music Box,” Yasiin Bey continues, “And Common‘s ‘Easy’ came on from Can I Borrow A Dollar? And my brother was like, ‘We can do this!’ So he just started making connects with local talent shows. And a year or two later, lo and behold, I got the deal.”

“As a teenager, though, it was a lot for me,” the artist goes on, “Because at the time I was listening to just as much Miles Davis as I was Rakim and De La Soul. I was even interested in Jimi Hendrix, and Bad Brains, and all that shit. […] But thank God for De La Soul. Because, apart from them […] I just had a different expression, something different that I wanted to see that I wasn’t seeing.”

Read More: Mos Def Might Have To Send Tour Money To His Child’s Mother

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The post Yasiin Bey Says “Thank God For De La Soul” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

“De La Soul Is Dead” Turns 32: A Groundbreaking Album

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Marking its 32nd anniversary, De La Soul is Dead, the sophomore album by the legendary Hip Hop act De La Soul, remains as innovative as when it first dropped in 1991. Comprised of members Posdnuos, Trugoy, and Maseo, De La Soul emerged from Amityville, Long Island, swiftly establishing themselves as a creative force in the burgeoning Hip Hop scene.

De La Soul is Dead diverged from the psychedelic optimism of their debut 3 Feet High and Rising. Instead, it presented a darker, more introspective view of the culture. Motivated by a desire to challenge their ‘Hip Hop hippie’ image, the group also aimed to showcase their depth. The album’s title further declared their determination to break free from expectations. The project is filled with skits, clever rhymes, and an eclectic mix of samples, proving De La Soul’s originality. Their experimentation with Jazz, Soul, and Rock, alongside their thought-provoking lyrics, set them apart in a genre increasingly dominated by Gangsta Rap.

Critical Reception

One standout track, “Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey),” humorously addresses the pressure from unknown artists seeking record deals. The song reached No. 22 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 3 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, testifying to the album’s international appeal. De La Soul is Dead didn’t match its predecessor’s chart-topping success, but it peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard 200 and earned a Gold certification. Moreover, it cemented De La Soul’s reputation as creative trailblazers unafraid to challenge norms and expectations.

Additionally, throughout their career, De La received numerous accolades. In 2006, they won a Grammy for collaborating with Gorillaz on “Feel Good Inc.” They were also nominated for a Grammy in 2016 for their crowd-funded album, And the Anonymous Nobody.

Impact On The Culture

Further, De La Soul’s impact on music culture extends beyond their unique sound. They were also instrumental in forming the Native Tongues Posse, a collective of like-minded Hip Hop artists including A Tribe Called Quest, Monie Love, Queen Latifah, and Jungle Brothers, who shared an interest in Afrocentric lyrics and eclectic sampling. Critics and the public have also often lauded De La Soul is Dead for its inventive approach to Hip Hop. The album’s dark humor, innovative sampling, and lyricism were seen as a welcome departure from mainstream Rap.

De La Soul Today

The loss of David Jude Jolicoeur, better known as Trugoy the Dove, was a profound blow. His untimely death in February 2023 left fans and fellow artists mourning the passing of a creative force and influential figure. He is remembered for his iconic contributions to Hip Hop, and tributes continue to pour in.

Overall, De La Soul is Dead is a testament to De La Soul’s impact on music and culture. Looking back, it’s clear that the album’s influence reaches far beyond its time, much like the group itself. Despite trials and tribulations, De La Soul remains vital to Hip Hop history. They embody a spirit of creativity and originality that continues to resonate.

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De La Soul Drop Vinyl, CD And Cassette Of ‘Buhloone Mindstate’ LP Today

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De La Soul announces the release of their critically acclaimed album, Buhloone Mindstate, today on vinyl, CD, and cassette formats. 

Originally released in 1993, Buhloone Mindstate features some of De La Soul’s most popular tracks, including “Breakadawn,” “Ego Trippin’ (Part Two),” and “I Am I Be.”  The fan-favorite album saw the band evolve into a new sound as they continued to grow stylistically and musically, while still staying true to their witty lyrics and innovative use of sampling.

The physical release of Buhloone Mindstate comes on the heels of De La Soul’s back catalog finally available on all streaming platforms and digital retailers on March 3. The group’s extensive catalog includes some of the most influential and groundbreaking albums in hip-hop history.

Following their appearance with The Gorillaz at Coachella, De La Soul will also be hitting the road on select dates for LL Cool J’s F.O.R.C.E. tour this summer, plus performing at the Blue Note Jazz Festival in Napa on July 28, Rock The Bells in New York on August 5, and select European festivals.  The group will also be joining the NY State of Mind Tour with Wu-Tang Clan and Nas throughout the fall. 

Fans of De La Soul can get their hands on the physical formats of Buhloone Mindstate at www.wearedelasoul.com, select record stores, and online retailers. 

For more information on De La Soul, click here. 

The post De La Soul Drop Vinyl, CD And Cassette Of ‘Buhloone Mindstate’ LP Today appeared first on The Source.

De La Soul Announces Release of ‘Buhloone Mindstate’ on Vinyl, CD and Cassette

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De La Soul Announces Release of 'Buhloone Mindstate' on Vinyl

Buhloone Mindstate, the critically praised album by De La Soul, will be available starting today on vinyl, CDs, and cassettes.

Buhloone Mindstate, which was first released in 1993, includes some of De La Soul’s most well-known songs, such as “Breakadawn,” “Ego Trippin’ (Part Two),” and “I Am I Be.” The band developed into a new sound on the fan-favorite album as they continued to mature stylistically and musically while adhering to their sharp lyrics and creative sampling techniques.

Buhloone Mindstate‘s physical release follows the March 3 release of De La Soul’s back catalog on all streaming services and digital outlets. Some of the most important and ground-breaking records in hip-hop history can be found in the group’s long discography.

De La Soul will perform at the Blue Note Jazz Festival in Napa on July 28, Rock The Bells in New York on August 5, and a few festivals in Europe after their Coachella performance with The Gorillaz. They will also embark on a portion of LL Cool J’s F.O.R.C.E. tour this summer. Throughout the fall, the trio will also take part in the NY State of Mind Tour alongside Wu-Tang Clan and Nas.

Fans of De La Soul can get their hands on the physical formats of Buhloone Mindstate at www.wearedelasoul.com, select record stores, and online retailers. 

The post De La Soul Announces Release of ‘Buhloone Mindstate’ on Vinyl, CD and Cassette appeared first on The Source.

Gorillaz Bring Out De La Soul At Coachella, Honor Trugoy The Dove

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This year’s Coachella isn’t even at its second weekend, and the festival already graced fans to many awesome moments. One of them certainly occurred during Gorillaz’s set, during which mastermind Damon Albarn brought out a slew of musical guests. Moreover, he brought out the iconic rap group De La Soul during the set, which was graced with incredible visuals from fellow Gorillaz mastermind Jamie Hewlett. During the concert, Maseo and Posdnuos (or rather, Plug Three and Plug One) came out to perform their legendary collaboration, “Feel Good Inc.” With Maseo’s monstrous laugh leading the way, everyone on stage and in the crowd had a fantastic time.

In addition, they took some time to honor the loss of Dave “Trugoy The Dove,” Jolicoeur also known as Plug Two, who tragically passed away earlier this year. Specifically, the three men locked arms and shoulders as a graphic honoring Trugoy displayed on stage. In a seeming moment of tribute, Albarn asked the crowd to be completely silent before entering their next number. Whether it was fans of Gorillaz or die-hard De La Soul listeners, everyone in the crowd seemed to communally mourn but also celebrate Plug Two’s life and legacy.

De La Soul Performing “Feel Good Inc.” With Gorillaz

Despite that, the tragedy also coincided with a lot of due respect and amazing opportunities for De La Soul. For example, they recently joined the lineup of the “N.Y. State Of Mind” tour, spearheaded by Nas and Wu-Tang Clan. With that addition, fans can now see three absolute titans of the hip-hop genre on the same night, which is exciting as it is historically special. Said news is especially great considering a whole new generation of fans can now listen to De La’s entire catalog on streaming services. Whether you like alternative hip-hop, classic boom-bap, or hardcore rap, there’s something for everyone on this nationwide trek.

Meanwhile, De La Soul, much like Gorillaz, is a classic group that will keep on giving. Moreover, DJ Drama recently announced a Gangsta Grillz mixtape with the hip-hop legends. As they remember and celebrate Trugoy’s life, the future is bright for a much-overlooked part of rap history. For the latest news and updates on Gorillaz and De La Soul, check back in with HNHH. Also, you can find more performance highlights below.

Coachella Showed The Gang A Lot Of Love

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