De La Soul is an American hip hop group that was formed in 1988 in the village of Amityville on Long Island, New York. Known for their unique sampling, unconventional lyrics, and significant contributions to the jazz rap and alternative hip hop genres, the group consists of Kelvin “Posdnuos” Mercer, David “Trugoy the Dove” Jolicoeur, and Vincent “Maseo” Mason. They first gained recognition when producer Prince Paul heard their demo tape for the song “Plug Tunin'” during their high school days.
Their debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising (1989), is renowned for its clever wordplay, groundbreaking sampling techniques, and humorous skits, earning it the title of a hip hop masterpiece. Despite this initial success, De La Soul’s subsequent albums have also been well-received. The group holds the distinction of being the second-longest-standing Native Tongues group, following the Jungle Brothers. Noteworthy achievements include winning a Grammy in 2006 for their collaboration with Gorillaz on the hit single “Feel Good Inc.” In 2016, De La Soul released And the Anonymous Nobody…, an album funded via Kickstarter, featuring guest appearances from prominent artists like Damon Albarn, Little Dragon, David Byrne, 2 Chainz, and Snoop Dogg. Trugoy the Dove sadly passed away in 2023.