#96 3 FEET HIGH AND RISING ALBUM REVIEW - DE LA SOUL

That's Hip Hop

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In this lively and nostalgic episode of the podcast, the hosts take us on a celebratory journey through De La Soul's groundbreaking debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising. Packed with humor, passion, and personal anecdotes, the discussion weaves through the album's eclectic artistry, its trailblazing contributions to the Native Tongues movement, and its impact on hip-hop culture. The trio reminisces about the group's inventive sampling techniques—ranging from Johnny Cash to Schoolhouse Rock—and their genre-defying sound, which melded jazz, funk, and rock into a vibrant hip-hop tapestry. The hosts also explore De La Soul’s clever use of surreal humor and abstract storytelling, which redefined the creative possibilities of rap during the late ’80s and early ’90s.
Beyond the music, the episode delves into the group's cultural influence, from their resistance to being labeled “hippies” to their innovative Kickstarter-funded album decades later. The conversation is peppered with reflections on De La Soul’s lyricism, unique personas, and live performances, illustrating their lasting resonance in the music world. With nods to their peers in the Native Tongues collective—like Queen Latifah, A Tribe Called Quest, and Black Sheep—the podcast celebrates the interconnected legacy of hip-hop’s golden era while tying it to the hosts’ personal memories and perspectives. This episode is a heartfelt tribute to an album and a group that forever changed the landscape of hip-hop.