De La Soul Celebrates ‘3 Feet High and Rising’ 35th Anniversary | Stream ‘Freedom of Speak’

De La Soul, the iconic hip-hop group celebrated for their innovative sound and timeless contributions to the genre, will mark the 35th Anniversary of their groundbreaking album, “3 Feet High and Rising,” with a digital release on March 1st.

The commemorative release will include not only the original tracks that captivated audiences three decades ago, but also a selection of bonus tracks sure to delight both longtime fans and newcomers to their music. Among these bonus tracks are previously digitally unreleased “Freedom Of Speak (We Got Three Minutes),” with a lyric video available today, as well as “Ain’t Hip to be Labelled a Hippie,” “What’s More,” fan favorite “Jenifa Taught Me (12” Version),” and two original demos from DJ Maseo’s basement “Plug Tunin’” (Home Demo) and “Freedom Of Speak (We Got Three Minutes)” (Home Demo). All tracks have been remastered in Stereo and Atmos and come one year after the celebratory release of the band’s six back catalog albums on all streaming services.

De La Soul‘s impact on the hip-hop landscape is immeasurable, with “3 Feet High and Rising” widely regarded as one of the most influential albums of its time. With its inventive sampling, playful lyrics, and eclectic beats, the album broke new ground and set a standard for creativity in the genre. The one-of-a-kind album was inducted into the National Recording Registry, a list of sound recordings deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the Library of Congress. The trio evolved hip-hop and demonstrated the value of masterful album creation as a complete work of art.

Posdnuos, Trugoy, and Maseo came together to form De La Soul in the late ‘80s. By the early ‘90s, the group emerged as a unique collective, utilizing influences from early hip-hop and catapulting the genre into its Golden Age and beyond.

Their acclaimed debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising, was released on March 3, 1989 and produced by Grammy award-winning hip-hop producer Prince Paul. 3 Feet High and Rising broke ground in various ways; tracks were layered with heavy slang, inside jokes, thought-provoking metaphors, and unconventional references, all while utilizing innovative rhyme flows and patterns.

Additionally, all this was infused with an eclectic mix of unique and funky samples featuring everything from Steely Dan, Hall & Oates, Johnny Cash, and foreign-language learning records. It was the first hip-hop album to introduce the use of skits connecting tracks throughout and the first album to represent African American kids living in the suburbs who came from a working middle class community.

With the help of Prince Paul, De La Soul’s distinctive musical backdrops earned them impressive attention from fans, peers, and critics alike. The one-of-a-kind album was inducted into the National Recording Registry, a list of sound recordings deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the Library of Congress.

The band won the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Collaboration for their song “Feel Good Inc.” with The Gorillaz in 2005. In 2015, De La Soul raised over $600,000 on Kickstarter from fans to independently release their album And the Anonymous Nobody…, which was their first #1 on the Rap Albums chart and was also nominated for a Best Rap Album Grammy.

The trio evolved hip-hop and demonstrated the value of masterful album creation as a complete work of art.

Throughout their illustrious career, De La Soul has remained dedicated to pushing boundaries and inspiring music enthusiasts around the world. Their commitment to their craft and positive impact on multiple generations have solidified their legacy as true pioneers of hip-hop music. In recognition of this, YouTube selected De La Soul as part of their “Fifty Deep” Music Class of 2024, a multigenerational grant program that champions and provides support for Black artists, songwriters, and producers in the hip-hop space.

Additional celebrations of the 35th anniversary include a Talk Shop Live chat on Tuesday, February 27th at 6pm EST where Posdnuos and Maseo will livestream with fans about the album with a signed album insert offering. On March 3rd, timed to the original release date of “3 Feet High and Rising” in 1989, “De La Day” will celebrate their journey and the impact of their music with an in-store signing at Rough Trade Records in New York City. Additionally, fans can look forward to a new merch collaboration with Bravado, offering exclusive commemorative items to mark the occasion.

Further underscoring their enduring influence, De La Soul will grace the stage of “The Late Show” with Stephen Colbert during the week of March 4th.

As De La Soul continues to perform and create new music, they remain committed to their legacy through live shows, new music releases, and collaborations that uplift and empower the hip-hop community. Their dedication to pushing boundaries and spreading positivity serves as a testament to their enduring impact on the world of music.

Check Out The New Bonus Single “Freedom of Speak!”