Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

De La Soul

Role / Field:

Pioneering American hip-hop group known for jazz rap and eclectic lyricism.

Born:

1988

Century / Era:

1988s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

De La Soul ( DAY lah SOHL) is an American hip-hop group formed in the village of Amityville on Long Island, New York, in 1988. They are best known for their eclectic sampling, eccentric lyrics, and contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip-hop subgenres. Kelvin "Posdnuos" Mercer, David "Trugoy the Dove" Jolicoeur, and Vincent "Maseo" Mason formed the group in high school and caught the attention of producer Prince Paul with a demonstration tape of the song "Plug Tunin' ". The group's debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising (1989), has been called "a hip-hop masterpiece".

Pivotal Works & Achievements

It remains their biggest commercial success, though subsequent albums have continued to receive acclaim. De La Soul is the second Native Tongues group after the Jungle Brothers. In 2006, the group won a Grammy for their collaboration with Gorillaz on their single "Feel Good Inc." The group has released 10 studio albums and one live album between 1989 and 2025. Their catalog was not available on audio streaming services or digital media stores until 2023 due to contractual disputes and copyright clearances for their extensive sampling. Trugoy the Dove died in 2023.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abdul Basit 'Abd us-Samad — Contemporary (Died in 1988) (1988): Renowned Egyptian Quran reciter, celebrated for his melodious and emotionally engaging style.
• Abdul Ghaffar Khan — Contemporary (Died in 1988) (1988): Pioneering nonviolent activist and founder of the Khudai Khidmatgar movement.
• Adele — Contemporary (Born in 1988) (1988): Iconic English singer-songwriter celebrated for powerful mezzo-soprano vocals.
• Alan Paton — Historical peer (Died in 1988) (1988): Pioneering South African author and anti-apartheid activist.
• Alexandra Burke — Historical peer (Born in 1988) (1988): British singer, songwriter, and actress known for winning The X Factor.
• A. J. Ayer — Historical peer (Died in 1989) (1989): Influential English philosopher known for logical positivism and emotivism.
• Adnan Khayr Allah — Historical peer (Died in 1989) (1989): Iraqi military officer and Minister of Defense, closely associated with the Ba'ath regime.
• Aaron Spelling — Historical peer (Died in 2006) (2006): Pioneering American producer of hit TV series like Dynasty and Beverly Hills, 90210.
• Abu Musab al-Zarqawi — Historical peer (Died in 2006) (2006): Jordanian jihadist militant known for orchestrating violence in Iraq (1966–2006)
• Alasdair MacIntyre — Historical peer (Died in 2025) (2025): Influential Scottish-American philosopher known for virtue ethics and political theory.
• 1988 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1988

Frequently Asked Questions about De La Soul