De La Soul

Innovative Hip-Hop Trio from New York

De La Soul is an influential hip-hop group from Long Island, New York, that came to prominence in the late 1980s. The trio, consisting of Posdnuos (Kelvin Mercer), Trugoy the Dove (David Jude Jolicoeur), and Maseo (Vincent Lamont Mason Jr.), is known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip-hop subgenres. Their debut album "3 Feet High and Rising" (1989) was a critical and commercial success, hailed for its innovative use of samples and playful, positive lyrics that contrasted with the harder-edged rap of the time. This album helped establish the group as a key part of the Native Tongues Posse, which promoted Afrocentricity and positive-mindedness in hip-hop.