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The 25 Most Important Rap Albums Of Hip-Hop’s First 50 Years

Over the years, countless music lists have laid out the "Greatest" of a particular category–album, artist, song, etc. These lists often cite vague criteria and then lay out what they claim to be objective rankings. But, they are subjective. At Ambrosia For Heads, we have generally provided opportunities for the people... Read more

Posdnuos Celebrates Dave On A Beautiful Tribute Song

Today (June 9), Statik Selektah released his first solo album since 2020. Round Trip, arriving on ShowOff/Mass Appeal Records, maintains Statik's gift for assembling interesting groupings of MCs for thought-provoking concepts, over his acclaimed production. This particular collection, Statik's 10th, involves four members of Wu-Tang Clan together on a posse... Read more

Maseo Reveals The Plans For De La Soul’s Next Album

It has been nearly two months since David Jolicoeur passed away. The founding MC/producer of De La Soul perhaps best known as Trugoy The Dove was 54 years old when he succumbed to ongoing health battles related to his heart. In March, as De La Soul's back catalog was made... Read more

Posdnuos & Maseo Remember Their De La Soul Brother Dave

Ten days after the music world lost a legend in the passing of David Jude Jolicoeur, his two De La Soul band-mates have used social media to honor their fallen brother—known to the Hip-Hop world by Dave, Trugoy The Dove, and Plug 2. The surviving two-thirds of the Grammy Award-winning... Read more

Dave From De La Soul Has Passed Away

The Hip-Hop community is devastated to learn that one of its legends has passed. In a developing story, David Jude Jolicoeur (aka Trugoy The Dove), from De La Soul, passed away at age 54. No exact cause of death has been provided. Peers and collaborators have confirmed the news on... Read more

De La Soul Reveals The Date To Stream Their Back Catalog

UPDATE: Hours after De La Soul revealed plans to release their first six albums on digital streaming platforms on March 3, 2023, more information released surrounding their recent work with Prince Paul. In speaking with William E. Ketchum III for Billboard, Posdnuos shared, "We definitely want to get something done... Read more

Prince Paul Confirms He Has Finished His De La Soul Project

In August of 2022, Prince Paul posted an Instagram photo with De La Soul's Posdnuos and Maseo, as well as Dres of Black Sheep, and music engineer Scotty Hard. The Grammy Award-winning producer and DJ wrote, "And then this happened..." prompting speculation that he had reunited with De La Soul.... Read more

De La Soul & Prince Paul Are Back In The Studio Together

Between the late 1980s and the 1990s, De La Soul made three acclaimed albums together along with a handful of loosies. The Long Island, New York producer/DJ mentored the trio of Posdnous, Dave, and Maseo while producing 1989's 3 Feet High And Rising, 1991's De La Soul Is Dead, and... Read more

De La Soul Confirms Acquiring Catalog & Will Re-Release Albums On DSPs This Year

UPDATE: Just days after Talib Kweli announced that De La Soul had acquired its back catalog (story below), the group took to Instagram Live (embedded below) to confirm reports. After some technical difficulties, Dave, Posdnuos, and Maseo broadcast to over 3,000 fans in real-time. The audience included Common, DJ Drama, DJ... Read more

This Mix Tunes Through De La Soul’s 3 Feet High And Rising, Sample By Sample

More than 30 years ago, De La Soul released its debut album, 3 Feet High And Rising. Produced by then-Stetsasonic member Prince Paul, the Tommy Boy Records LP became a benchmark of Hip-Hop music. While Posdnuos (aka Plug 1) and Trugoy (aka Plug 2) waxed poetic about life in Long... Read more

De La Soul Recall The Origins Of The Native Tongues & The MC Who Started It (Video)

Earlier this month, De La Soul's episode of Drink Champs featured an extensive and newsworthy preview. N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN released the part of the discussion where Posdnuos, Dave, and Maseo addressed their ongoing, and sometimes public negotiations with Tommy Boy Music surrounding the digital revenue and rights to the... Read more

De La Soul Are Fighting To Own The Music They Created (Video)

In the last two weeks, the three members of De La Soul have been at the center of a discussion surrounding ownership of catalog and the fairness of record label contracts. That discourse stems from the trio of Dave, Maseo, and Posdnuos notifying fans on social media that they are... Read more

Joe Budden Breaks Down In Tears Discussing De La Soul’s Economic Plight (Video)

One of the biggest stories in Hip-Hop over the last week has surrounded De La Soul. As the Long Island, New York trio celebrated a milestone anniversary for 1989 debut, 3 Feet High And Rising, they went public regarding a battle with a former record label, Tommy Boy. The group's... Read more

Tommy Boy Has Agreed To Negotiate Better Terms With De La Soul For Their Music

This week, De La Soul publicly revealed that their first six albums are becoming digitally available for the first time in history. Reportedly, the plan was for the catalog to go live today (March 1), part of a 30th-anniversary celebration for the group's highly-acclaimed debut, 3 Feet High And Rising.... Read more

De La Soul Speak In Detail About What Went Wrong With Their Record Company

This week, the legendary group De La Soul announced to the public that they are currently unhappy with their former record label, Tommy Boy. These revelations came with good news for music fans, as De La's first six albums are reportedly soon to made available to digital retailers and streaming... Read more

De La Soul Are In A Bitter Negotiation About Their Streaming Rights & Stakes Is High

It has been 30 years since De La Soul released its debut album, 3 Feet High And Rising. That 1989 Prince Paul-produced work has since achieved platinum certification as well as monstrous critical acclaim for its clever rhymes and innovative sampling techniques. In addition to more than a million shelves,... Read more

Posdnuos Delivers A Vintage Guest Verse On A Song That’s From The Soul (Video)

The eclectic Hip-Hop vets known as De La Soul have done some unexpected, yet outstanding collaborations in the last two decades. From their various cuts with the Gorillaz, to lesser-known ditties with Yo La Tengo, Propellerheads, and Oliver, to their own tracks with amazing vocalists like Chaka Khan, Little Dragon,... Read more

Take A 25-Year Ego-Trip Back To One Of De La Soul’s Best Videos

De La Soul's third album celebrates 25 years of being on planet earth today (September 21). Of all the LPs from the Plugs, it can sometimes seem easy to lose Buhloone Mindstate in the lights of a discography as consistent and far-reaching as any in the Rap genre. Many Heads... Read more

Finding The GOAT Group: De La Soul vs. A Tribe Called Quest. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’ annual competition series features Hip-Hop’s greatest collectives vying for the #1 spot. Sixty-two groups have been pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot will be reserved for a wild-card entry (which has been determined), including the possibility for... Read more

Finding The GOAT Group: De La Soul vs. Dilated Peoples. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’ annual competition series features Hip-Hop’s greatest collectives vying for the #1 spot. Sixty-two groups have been pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot will be reserved for a wild-card entry (which has been determined), including the possibility... Read more

Finding The GOAT Group: De La Soul vs. Leaders Of The New School. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest collectives vying for the #1 spot. Sixty-two groups have been pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot will be reserved for a wild-card entry, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to... Read more

DJ Premier Says He & Pete Rock May Be Exclusively Producing De La Soul’s Next Album (Video)

DJ Premier has had one of his busiest years in recent memory. The Gang Starr member released and produced albums by MC Eiht and Torii Wolf. He just followed those efforts with a video collaboration with A$AP Ferg, helping relaunch '90s Hip-Hop source Payday Records. Preemo is the latest guest... Read more

De La Soul’s Latest Music Video Has Dave Making A Serious Health Announcement

De La Soul is at work promoting 2016's Grammy-nominated album, and the anonymous nobody... Videos continue to drop in support of the self-released LP featuring 2 Chainz, Pete Rock, Snoop Dogg, David Byrne, and many others. "Royalty Capes" is the latest. The song released ahead of the album, in July... Read more

How Nas & De La Soul Battled For The Future Of Hip-Hop & Splintered It Forever (Video)

Last month, producer 9th Wonder remembered July 2, 1996's impact on the Hip-Hop community. During one of the biggest commercial booms of Rap albums, Nas released It Was Written the same Tuesday that De La Soul dropped Stakes Is High. Those two releases, coming from artists running in the same... Read more

Mysonne Used His Turn In The Spotlight To Shed Light In An Underrated BET Cypher (Video)

Hip-Hop news and culture move fast, and it’s easy to miss significant developments. Every week, Ambrosia For Heads takes a look back at the LAST 7 days. This video series, hosted by Justin “The Company Man” Hunte examines the current issues with a colorful rundown of the what, where, and why. While the LAST... Read more

Prince Paul Shares Unreleased De La Soul Music That Stands With Their Best Work (Audio)

Last month, Prince Paul dropped a knocking alternate mix of “Chubb Rock Please Pay Paul His $2200 You Owe Him (People, Places, and Things),” a 14-year-old album cut featuring DOOM, Chubb Rock, and Wordsworth. The Grammy Award-winning member of Stetsasonic, Gravediggaz, Handsome Boy Modeling School, and BROOKZILL is not done. Paul... Read more

De La Soul Make A Quirky Video For A Song That Hurts So Good

De La Soul is a group that embraces the music video format as well as any. Over the last 27 years, the Long Island, New York trio has played with colorful animation, The Wizard of Oz, and spoofing Rap at a time when it arguably took itself way too seriously.... Read more

De La Soul’s New Video Featuring Pete Rock & Estelle Is Masterpiece Theater

Earlier this week, De La Soul learned that their first LP in 12 years is nominated for the Grammy Award for "Best Rap Album." And The Anonymous Nobody, released in August, is a crowd-funded album that raised more than $600,000 in 2015. Coming on the Long Island, New York trio's... Read more

De La Soul Make History With The 1st Hip-Hop Crowdfunded Album Nominated For A Grammy

The nominees for the 59th Grammy Awards have been announced. Taking place on February 12, 2017, these awards appear to have historic implications, especially for Hip-Hop Heads of multiple generations and eras. Perhaps most notably, De La Soul is nominated for "Rap Album Of The Year" for their August release,... Read more

“Nobody” Is Smiling. De La Soul Takes The #1 Spot On The Rap Charts

In 1989, De La Soul's debut 3 Feet High and Rising earned the #1 spot on the R&B charts. The rankings helped solidify an introduction to a career that would shape the sound and style of Hip-Hop over the next 25 years. Thanks to ...and the Anonymous Nobody, the trio's... Read more

De La Soul Describe Their Million Dollar Album With Priceless Jewels

In two days (August 26), De La Soul will release its eighth album, and the Anonymous Nobody. Released through the trio's own AOI (Art Official Intelligence) imprint, the album follows up on 2004's The Grind Date with an assortment of features, and at least one theme. While the Long Island, New... Read more

De La Soul’s New Song About The Old New York Is No Fairy Tale (Audio)

De La Soul records can be highly personal. Songs like "Trying People" and "I Am I Be" are remarkable reflections of one's place in the world, identity, and self-preservation. Other times, Posdnuos and Dave wax gripping tales that are about others. "Keepin' The Faith" is a virginity story, supported by... Read more

De La Soul Release One Of The Most Unique Songs They’ve Ever Recorded (Audio)

In 16 days (August 26), De La Soul will release its first full-fledged album since 2004's The Grind Date. and The Anonymous Nobody has many music lovers excited, following two album singles: the Snoop Dogg-assisted "Pain" and chaser "Royalty Capes." The third official look from the LP shows the evolution... Read more

20 Years Later, De La Soul Credit Dave For Their Shift In Sound On “Stakes Is High”

Today (July 2) marks the 20th anniversary of Stakes Is High, arguably one of the most important LPs in De La Soul's discography, a rare characteristic for an album released nearly a decade after a group's debut. However, Stakes Is High represented a significant change in the group's direction. The album was... Read more

De La Soul Say “Selling Out” In The ’80s Is Seen As “Extensive Branding” Today (Video)

De La Soul were guests on Sway In The Morning today (June 7). Joining Kaytranada, the Long Island, New York trio discussed their upcoming August 26 album, And The Anonymous Nobody, the genesis of the Native Tongues movement, and why De La Soul may have been pioneers of what it... Read more

De La Soul’s New Single Makes The Pain Of Waiting Well Worth It (Audio)

De La Soul and Snoop Dogg have enjoyed constant careers since their introductions. While both acts have overlapping collaborators (B-Real, Slick Rick, Devin The Dude, Redman, etc.), they have never cut tracks together. August 26's And The Anonymous Nobody, De La Soul's forthcoming album changes that. As a parting shot... Read more

De La Soul’s Guest-Packed “And The Anonymous Nobody” Tracklist Is Revealed

One of 2016's most anticipated albums is De La Soul's And The Anonymous Nobody. The August 26 LP is the Long Island, New York trio's first proper studio work in more than 11 years. Further, this marks the first time in their 27-year history that Posdnuos, Dave, and Maseo are... Read more

De La Soul Bring Their Classic Back From The Dead, With An Unreleased Song

Twenty five years ago, De La Soul Is Dead released. The sophomore album from the Long Island, New York trio of Posdnuos, Trugoy (n/k/a Dave), and Maseo would be a distinct mood-shift from 1989's 3 Feet High And Rising. However, thanks to its frontier sound, imagery, and creativity—which can also... Read more

25 Years Later, This Rare De La Soul Performance Keeps Heads Ringing (Video)

On May 14, 1991, De La Soul released their sophomore LP, De La Soul Is Dead. The Tommy Boy/Warner Bros. Records release was strikingly more irritable than the first, with Posdnuos, Trugoy (n/k/a Dave), Maseo, and producer Prince Paul shrugging off the labels that the media, Rap fans, and everybody... Read more

De La Soul Move “And The Anonymous Nobody” Release Date & Give Fans A Snack.

De La Soul has changed the release date of the group's eighth album. The 2015 crowd-funded And The Anonymous Nobody... album is now said to be arriving August 26. To hold over fans for the nearly four months of waiting, the veteran Long Island, New York trio gave some late... Read more

De La Soul’s 3 Feet High And Rising vs. Madvillain’s Madvillainy. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

De La Soul Are Performing Together to Honor J Dilla During His Tribute Weekend

In late December, the second annual J Dilla Weekend was announced. The Miami, Florida event will take place the weekend of February 5-7, and will be hosted by Dilla's mother, Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey. With Slum Village, Royce Da 5'9", Rapsody & 9th Wonder, Blu & Exile, Chuck Strangers, A-F-R-O,... Read more

Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star vs. De La Soul’s Stakes Is High. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

De La Soul’s 3 Feet High And Rising vs. Beastie Boys’ Paul’s Boutique. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

De La Soul’s 3 Feet High And Rising vs. Stetsasonic’s In Full Gear. What’s Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

De La Soul Confirm Pete Rock, Snoop Dogg, Usher, & Others As Upcoming Album Guests

UPDATE: In their latest update to funders of the upcoming album reportedly titled And The Anonymous Nobody, De La Soul has confirmed additional guests. "We've recruited more amazing talents and we're happy to announce that we now have Usher, Pete Rock, Roc Marciano, Estelle and Snoop Dogg on the album,"... Read more

De La Soul Explain Their Criteria For What Makes a Great MC. Do You Agree? (Video)

Many have opinions about what criteria makes a great MC, but few have the credentials to back them up like De La Soul. As Hip-Hop survivors and thrivers for more than 20 years, Posdnuous, Dave and Maseo are among Rap's most influential artists, and when they speak, Heads listen. As... Read more

De La Soul Defends Kickstarter Album: “This Is Not About Pocketing Money”

Last week, De La Soul released "God It," the Nas-assisted, presumed first single from their upcoming eighth studio album, reportedly called, And The Anonymous Nobody. For Hip-Hop fans, this is a benchmark album before Heads press play, due to the fact it is the largest crowd-funded album in the Rap... Read more

Do Remember: De La Soul & Camp Lo’s So Good (Audio)

Since Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force, Tommy Boy Records has been in on the ground floor of helping out Heads "looking for the perfect beat." Tom Silverman's independent label may have started with Dance music roots, but the label proved to be one of the truly trustworthy imprints, supplying... Read more

De La Soul & Nas Are Hip-Hop Gods & Their Collaboration Is Heavenly (Audio)

De La Soul and Nas have been two of the most dependable sources of Hip-Hop music, with nearly 50 years, combined. Crossing paths in one of 2015's biggest collaborations so far, Posdnous, Dave, Maseo, and Nasir sound incredible together on "God It." Presumably the first 2015 public presentation from De... Read more