This Mix Of 13 De La Soul Videos Is The Plug For 1 Of Hip-Hop’s Greatest Groups

2018 marks the 30th-anniversary of De La Soul dropping their debut single “Plug Tunin,” as well as the 25 year anniversary of their third album Buhloone Mindstate. Before the year ends, the celebration of one of Hip-Hop’s most groundbreaking groups is not quite over.

Tommy Boy Records (De La’s record label between the late ’80s and early 2000s) released an official, seamless mix of music and visuals that is 14-and-a-half minutes of Hip-Hop history. Viewers are treated to a portion of 13 videos from their first five albums: 3 Feet High And Rising, De La Soul Is Dead, Buhloone Mindstate, Stakes Is High, and Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump. While the vids are not sequenced in order of when they were released, they are grouped by album and when those LPs dropped. So, while “Eye Know,” “Me Myself and I,” “Say No Go, Buddy (Remix),” and “Potholes In My Lawn” from their debut 3 Feet High And Rising are the initial four videos here, they are organized up by how they beat match, not when they hit MTV. No DJ or VJ is credited in a mix that is aware of where the appropriate transitions are.

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This mix illustrates this trio’s progression throughout three decades of making music. From the “Daisy Age” bohemian style in their early work in the late-1980s to their astute social commentary of the mid-1990s, to their analysis of adult relationships and celebration of Hip-Hop culture in the new millennium. No matter their seniority, De La Soul always seemed to lead the pack when it came to visuals—from classrooms to Wizard Of Oz costumes.

These companions to their many memorable singles are not only creative, and occasionally experimental, but they are also jam-packed with cameos. For example, most probably won’t remember that Beastie Boys’ Mike D and the late MCA, Jerry Springer, and Q-Tip all make guest appearances in the “Stakes Is High” vid, or that Dave Chappelle and Rah Digga are supporting cast members of “Oooh.” While some fans might think De La’s “Buddy (Remix)” video has the highest concentration of Hip-Hop personalities, it is definitely “Itzsoweezee (HOT).” Although only a little over a minute of each video is included here, eagle-eyed watchers will catch a youthful Black Thought, Prince Paul, Lords Of The Underground, Mike G, Kid Capri, and another fallen legend, Guru. As De La continues to make great visuals, as recently as last year, here’s to more in the works.

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A video based on the same-day release of De La’s Stakes Is High and Nas’ It Was Written is available at AFH TV.