De La Soul Is Back
July 16, 2009
SportMusic Quick Links
De La Soul do whatever they want. That’s the impression I’ve always had about those guys, since I first caught the De La bug listening to 3 Feet High and Rising on cassette in middle school. They were doing crazy game show skits and talking about daisies at a time when hip-hop was moving in a decidedly un-peaceful direction. When fans wanted another “hippy” rap album out of them, they zagged, delivering the edgier De La Soul Is Dead release in 1991. Never ones to be stereotyped, their collaborations have been all over the map, from playing with alternative rock artists to dropping rhymes on a video game starring a rapping dog. Their work on the 2005 single “Feel Good Inc.” (a dance number by a British band) earned them the first Grammy of their career.
Now here we are, exactly two decades later, and De La are still taking chances, challenging themselves and their fans. Who else would commemorate the 20-year anniversary of a rap masterpiece by producing a 44-minute continuous running mix of original hip-hop? The same guys who paved the way for the “alternative” and “backpack” hip-hop artists who add much-needed freshness to the rap scene whenever it seems to go stale with bang-bang and braggadocio.
Their first full album in five years, ARE YOU IN? is a continuation of De La’s feverish experimentation, with wild musical styles and unexpected collaborations. Jazz loops, hair metal guitars, electro-synths and guest vocals by Raheem DeVaughn, Gina Loring and Billy Ray all find a home here, held together by the inspired lyrics of Pos, Maseo, and Dave. Additional production by Chicago DJ/production duo Flosstradamus gives the mix a dancy, Miami-bass flavoured vibe that makes you want to move, no matter where you are. ARE YOU IN? has accompanied me not only on runs, but also on long drives and writing-sessions (like right now) and it always gets my head bobbing. But don’t take my word for it, read below to check out what other people are saying on the web, or better yet, take it for a spin yourself.
A Runner's Take on De La Soul's "Are You In?"
Now here we are, exactly two decades later, and De La are still taking chances, challenging themselves and their fans. Who else would commemorate the 20-year anniversary of a rap masterpiece by producing a 44-minute continuous running mix of original hip-hop? The same guys who paved the way for the “alternative” and “backpack” hip-hop artists who add much-needed freshness to the rap scene whenever it seems to go stale with bang-bang and braggadocio.
Their first full album in five years, ARE YOU IN? is a continuation of De La’s feverish experimentation, with wild musical styles and unexpected collaborations. Jazz loops, hair metal guitars, electro-synths and guest vocals by Raheem DeVaughn, Gina Loring and Billy Ray all find a home here, held together by the inspired lyrics of Pos, Maseo, and Dave. Additional production by Chicago DJ/production duo Flosstradamus gives the mix a dancy, Miami-bass flavoured vibe that makes you want to move, no matter where you are. ARE YOU IN? has accompanied me not only on runs, but also on long drives and writing-sessions (like right now) and it always gets my head bobbing. But don’t take my word for it, read below to check out what other people are saying on the web, or better yet, take it for a spin yourself.
A Runner's Take on De La Soul's "Are You In?"
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