The late 80’s for rap in America were pretty similar to where they stand now, although the rhymes were more on-call and steady, and no one was cranking anything. Gangsta rap, like today, was what the genre was known for, and N.W.A. was some big thing. This isn’t about N.W.A.

De La Soul knew which way was up before most everyone else did. They weren’t out to get the same demographic as other acts like N.W.A. De La Soul wanted a happier demographic, someone toting flowers and a book instead of a tec-9. In 1989, they released “3 Feet High And Rising.” The released signaled the beginning of hippie-hop (har har har), more or less, and jazz rap was born. Talib, Mos Def (I’ve been listening to Black Star lately), most other guys who go after the “alternative” hip-hop demographic owe much of their fanbase to these guys. All I know is that while Eazy-E was sampling gunshots, De La Soul was sampling Schoolhouse Rock (illicitly, too!), and for that they are awesome. What I’m trying to say is 3 Feet High and Rising is one of the greatest rap albums of all time, and it has flowers on the cover.

De La Soul – Magic Number

Buy 3 Feet High and Rising @ Amazon.

-Sean