For the first time in history, seminal hip-hop group De La Soul’s full catalog will be available on streaming services. The hip-hop legends’ six-album run from 1989 to 2001 will arrive via group member Maseo’s label AOI, in partnership with Reservoir Media.
“It’s been 20-plus years overdue, but finally, we are here,” said Maseo in a press release.
De La Soul created one of hip-hop’s most groundbreaking albums with 1989’s 3 Feet High and Rising. The Long Island trio brought an upbeat, psychedelic vibe to a genre that had previously been more aggressive or self-aggrandizing in instrumental and lyrical tone. The debut album is widely considered one of the best and most influential albums in hip-hop history.
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Maseo, along with fellow group members Trugoy and Posdnuos, received all the rights to their masters in August 2021 after decades of legal battles with their original label Tommy Boy Records. Legal issues stemmed from the extensive use of uncleared samples as well as the group’s exploitative contract, which the members signed when they were just teenagers. Reservoir Media acquired the catalog from Tommy Boy for $100 million USD and quickly began release discussions with the group.
“We can’t believe this day is finally here, and we are excited to be able to share our music with fans, old and new. Golnar, Rell, Faith, and the Reservoir team have been great partners in this entire process. We’re grateful that our relationship with them all has enabled this to happen,” said De La Soul in a press release.
3 Feet High and Rising, De La Soul Is Dead, Buhloone Mindstate, Stakes Is High, Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump, and AOI: Bionix are set for release on streaming services on March 3. Additionally, physical reissues are also expected to arrive the same day.
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