De La Soul

Formed in 1988 in the Amityville area of Long Island, New York, De La Soul built their reputation on eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and a major contribution to the evolution of jazz rap and alternative hip-hop. When they burst onto the scene, their laid-back vibe and clever wordplay stood in sharp contrast to the macho bragging and intense beats that ruled the day — a gentler, weirder take on hip-hop that expanded the definition of what rap music could be.

Their 1989 debut, 3 Feet High and Rising, sounded like nothing else in hip-hop at the time — a colourful, neo-psychedelic collage of samples drawing not just from funk and soul, but also pop, jazz, reggae, and psychedelia, paired with low-key, clever rhymes and goofy humour. It made them prominent members of the Native Tongues Posse alongside A Tribe Called Quest, Queen Latifah, and the Jungle Brothers — a golden era collective that reshaped the culture.

Over a career spanning nine studio albums, De La Soul never stopped evolving, but they never lost their soul either. Founding member David Jolicoeur — Trugoy the Dove — passed away in February 2023, a profound loss for hip-hop. Remaining members Posdnuos and Maseo carry the legacy forward, celebrating a catalogue that still sounds fresh and joyful decades on. Expect warmth, wit, and a crowd that knows every word.