The album was the band's biggest commercial success to date, with subsequent ones selling progressively less, despite receiving high praise from critics. They were influential in the early stages of rapper/actor Mos Def's career, and are a core part of the Spitkicker collective. They are the second longest standing Native Tongues group, after the Jungle Brothers. In 2006, the group won a Grammy for their collaboration with Gorillaz on the single "Feel Good Inc."
In early 2015, they announced plans to release a Kickstarter funded upcoming 9th studio album and the Anonymous Nobody... in September 2015; it was released on August 26, 2016. The album tracks are said to be the result of multiple improvised jam sessions. The album also features guest appearances from artists such as Damon Albarn, Little Dragon, David Byrne, 2 Chainz and Snoop Dogg.
Studio albums
3 Feet High and Rising (1989)
De La Soul Is Dead (1991)
Buhloone Mindstate (1993)
Stakes Is High (1996)
Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump (2000)
AOI: Bionix (2001)
The Grind Date (2004)
Plug 1 & Plug 2 Present... First Serve (2012)
and the Anonymous Nobody... (2016)
Skit 1
De La Soul Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you hear this sound, that means turn the page.
And now we begin our exciting adventure of, De La Soul is Dead.
Oh my God Vanilla Ice
He's so fly!
The boy is so good.
Did you see his body?
He could.
He's better than any rapper I ever seen!
And plus his dancers!
He's so jammin'!
Yo, what's up?
Yo, Jeff, where you been, man?
Guess what I just found, I just found a De La Soul tape in the garbage.
For real? Let's hear it!
No!
Aww, be like that!
What's up, cocksnot? How ya doing, buddy?
Cocksnot? You gonna let him call you that? Sucker!
Leave me alone!
What do we have here?
Nothing!
Listen, you little Arsenio Hall gum having punk!
Oooh! You let him call you Arsenio! Oooh!
I want the tape!
It's mine!
Oh, he played you! Jeff's getting played! Jeff! Jeff! Bodyslam him, Jeff!
Now! I've got the new De La Soul tape! Hey dicksnot, buttcrust, get over here!
What's up baby?
Coolin'!
I just got this De La Soul tape, man, slamming. Where's the box? The box!
So, yo, let's get with the shilsnihilsnobilsno!
I got the bidox, let's do this like Brutus!
28. For those who have all four answers correct, you will receive a specially selected Grand Prize. Thanks, and goodnight, for Three
Feet
High and Rising, this is Don Newkirk.
The lyrics to Skit 1, from De La Soul's album De La Soul is Dead are a playful satire of mainstream commercialism, specifically the types of marketing tactics used to appeal to children in the 1990s. The skit opens with an introduction to the read-along storybook format, complete with a sound cue to turn the page. However, as soon as the adventure begins, it takes a sharp turn into a surreal dialogue between two characters who find a De La Soul tape in the garbage. One character eagerly wants to hear it, while the other mocks him for liking De La Soul instead of Vanilla Ice. The dialogue then becomes confrontational, with one character bullying the other until he gives up the tape. The skit ends with a radio DJ giving a shout-out to listeners who correctly answer trivia questions about the album.
De La Soul is known for incorporating humor and satire into their music, and Skit 1 is no exception. The skit parodies the formulaic marketing techniques used to sell products to children, with the read-along storybook format and sound cue acting as a deliberate nod to this. Additionally, the references to Vanilla Ice and his popularity in the early 90s are a commentary on the commercialism and image-obsessed nature of the music industry. The skit as a whole can be read as a critique of the wider culture of conformity and consumerism that dominated the decade.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello boys and girls. Welcome to your De La Soul readalong storybook!
Welcome to De La Soul's storytelling album! Get ready for a wild ride.
When you hear this sound, that means turn the page.
This album is like a children's book, complete with sound effects for you to follow along.
And now we begin our exciting adventure of, De La Soul is Dead.
This is the start of a new era for De La Soul, with this album taking on a darker, more mature tone.
Oh my God Vanilla Ice
Vanilla Ice is the subject of the conversation.
He's so fly!
They think Vanilla Ice is really cool.
The boy is so good.
They admire Vanilla Ice's skills as a rapper and performer.
Did you see his body?
They are also impressed with Vanilla Ice's physical appearance.
He could dance too.
In addition to rapping, Vanilla Ice can also dance.
He could.
They want to emphasize how talented Vanilla Ice is.
He's better than any rapper I ever seen!
They think Vanilla Ice is better than any other rapper they've seen or heard.
And plus his dancers!
They're also impressed with Vanilla Ice's backup dancers.
He's so jammin'!
Overall, they think Vanilla Ice is really great.
Yo, what's up?
The scene shifts to a group of guys talking.
Yo, Jeff, where you been, man?
They greet their friend Jeff and ask him where he's been.
Guess what I just found, I just found a De La Soul tape in the garbage.
Someone found a De La Soul tape in the trash and is excited to show it off.
For real? Let's hear it!
The group is curious to hear the tape that was found.
No!
However, the person who found the tape doesn't want to share it with the others.
Aww, be like that!
They're disappointed that they can't listen to the tape.
What's up, cocksnot? How ya doing, buddy?
Another group of guys enters, greeting Jeff and insulting someone named 'cocksnot.'
Cocksnot? You gonna let him call you that? Sucker!
Jeff's friends think it's weak of 'cocksnot' to let himself be insulted like that.
Leave me alone!
'Cocksnot' is upset and tells them to leave him alone.
What do we have here?
The bullies notice the De La Soul tape and want it for themselves.
Nothing!
'Cocksnot' tries to hide the tape and pretend it's nothing important.
Listen, you little Arsenio Hall gum having punk!
One of the bullies insults 'cocksnot' by comparing him to Arsenio Hall and insulting his gum-chewing habit.
Oooh! You let him call you Arsenio! Oooh!
The other guys mock 'cocksnot' for being compared to Arsenio Hall.
I want the tape!
The bullies demand that 'cocksnot' hand over the tape.
It's mine!
'Cocksnot' tries to claim ownership of the tape to keep it from the bullies.
Oh, he played you! Jeff's getting played! Jeff! Jeff! Bodyslam him, Jeff!
The bullies taunt 'cocksnot' and encourage their friend Jeff to physically attack him.
Now! I've got the new De La Soul tape! Hey dicksnot, buttcrust, get over here!
The bullies celebrate their acquisition of the De La Soul tape and continue to insult and belittle 'cocksnot'.
What's up baby?
The scene shifts to a new group of guys having a casual conversation.
Coolin'!
This group is relaxed and hanging out.
I just got this De La Soul tape, man, slamming. Where's the box? The box!
One of the guys is excited about a new De La Soul tape they just acquired and is looking for the box it came in.
So, yo, let's get with the shilsnihilsnobilsno!
This line is nonsensical and possibly intentionally obfuscated to create a mood rather than convey a clear meaning.
I got the bidox, let's do this like Brutus!
Similar to the previous line, this is another piece of nonsense that seems intended to create a feeling or tone rather than convey clear information.
28. For those who have all four answers correct, you will receive a specially selected Grand Prize. Thanks, and goodnight, for Three Feet High and Rising, this is Don Newkirk.
This is the voice of Don Newkirk, providing information about a contest related to De La Soul's previous album 'Three Feet High and Rising.'
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL E. HUSTON, DAVID J. JOLICOEUR, VINCENT MASON, KELVIN MERCER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Melanin Future
This is one of the tracks I was waiting for besides waiting for their early catalog.
Kevin A Krueger
i can't stop laughing- their skits are such an underrated part of Music's pop culture and only make sense in physically printed analog album format [Vinyl, Cassettes & CDs]. So absurd, genius, funny, refreshing. Grateful for these 3 & Paul for producing our lives' soundtrack
Cue's Tube
Man ... De La Soul finally online 🌻🌻🌻
0𐌾 - ፕ◊ᕈᓮᙅ
What do u know about music hamster penis 🤣 i used to say that to my friends all tha time 💯 #thagoodoldays :(💔🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤❤
Kevin A Krueger
and now they know you're not Crazy. Laugh Out Loud🤣
FinFin
"you don't have to hit him like that..."
Kevin A Krueger
so subdued & serious. best line on the album?? LOL
Adolf Yacov
I dedicate this song to Gardner Correctional Officers and c.v.h Staff"s I dedicate this song to shelter thugs and Soup Gangsters Baby pass me the salt All Lives Matter Especially Blue Sempi Fi sh! I could relate and have apathy to this historical song to epic top 30 Mc"s of all time De la soul got me three when I was homeless and almost got assasnited I got up and escaped the love of Mother Mental health+✓= Mental Harm +✓+= I have enough Meds to stelize a sperm Whale oh+? K.k. I algedly let you and x.y.z and bla z'a think I'm scread and reatrded and retired Grumble Grumbe said the kindergarten m.t.f
Fleezy81
🕊️
Jimmy Di Virgilio
🎉😮❤😅😅😅