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)
The Future
De La Soul Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
You this message
Through our music
Reaching for a, brave and brighter, new tomorrow
Is the future
We must make it, safe and happy, for the children
Or, or, they will be lost
Or, or, they will be lost
Ayo I jump back, put the aim on my shot
It's mandatory, handle glory over with the rock
I'm not a rough guy but a tough guy to beat over drums
No son to this, I'm a rhyme bastard
Some mastered the art of cash, but not the part that lasts
And disappear after doin' two albums
We're not your normal team and we still do ours to fit
Hope inside this, don't define it's
Quits for those who oppose the new
Playin' they've outgrown rap, like a size 5 shoe
Oh they all neo now, alternative touch
Were surprised, no demise for us
We on the rise to bust big, how you fig' we couldn't
Never run out of verbs for you to sip, I told you we wouldn't
I never popped Crist' or popped fists, girl named Chrissie
Was the first, which made it even worse not to miss me
Or, or, they will be lost (the future)
Or, or, they will be lost (the future)
So do you understand it now? Well try standin' over
Seven box sets, reppin' sixteen years
This rap career ain't work, it's the life in-between
Bedtime 'til the next said time and date
Know the name and salute them dudes
Put the nutrient in rap when they cook them foods
Gotta be like eighteen million heads served
Shit, imagine if there wasn't no us huh?
So I'd like to take the time to shout out the JB's
Next on my list is A Tribe Called Quest
Latifah my Queen, Monie Love, Dres and Mr. Lawnge
Chi-Ali, on your head God bless
Never ring chasin', the permanent tat
In this rap shit, y'all are just temporary lick-ons
Fadin' in the days to come
While the name De La and the legacy built lives on
We are singing (sing it out now)
You this message (sendin' you a message y'all)
Through our music (through the music)
Reaching for a, brave and brighter, new tomorrow (another day y'all)
Is the future, is the future, the future
We must make it, safe and happy, for the children
You little brats
The chorus of De La Soul's "The Future" delivers a message about using music as a tool to create a safe and happy world for future generations. The lines "We are singing/ You this message/ Through our music/ Reaching for a, brave and brighter, new tomorrow" affirm that the song is an attempt to reach out to the audience through the medium of music. The urgency of the message is reinforced by the repetition of the lines "Or... or... they will be lost." The song serves as a warning that if we don't create a better world for our children, they will be lost.
The verses, on the other hand, explore the art of rap and De La Soul's place in it. The line "I'm not a rough guy but a tough guy to beat over drums" showcases De La Soul's confidence and skill when it comes to rapping. They also criticize those who are in the music industry just for the money and disappear after releasing a few albums. De La Soul believes that they are not like "normal teams" and that they still do things their way. They also poke fun at those who claim they have outgrown rap but are actually just following alternative trends.
Overall, "The Future" is a powerful song that delivers messages both about the importance of creating a better world for children and De La Soul's contributions to rap.
Lyrics © JELLYBEAN MUSIC GROUP, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Earl Jr. Fluellen, Hazel Gordy Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, David J Jolicoeur, Vincent Lamont Mason, Kelvin Mercer, David Nathaniel West
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheGeehSilva
Rest in peace Dave ✊🏽🙏🏻
@CasualPrince
As soon as the beat kicks in and the opening bars start I can't help but have an ear to ear grin......
@LilRedRasta
this beat is sickkkkkkk...i remember listening to this album as i took a bus ride from new orleans to new york and back again...damn this song brings back memories of mornings on that bus and seeing the beauty of this country. this is how hip hop is supposed to make you feel
@meyou5789
A Tribe Called Quest are like the Seen Masters and De La Soul are like the Hidden Masters
@Thuromc
It's sad they didn't collab more.
@obi387
Although i like De la, to me, Tribe is better
@meyou5789
@RaeRae Jeru Tribe are for the outer beings, & Da Soul is for the inner beings...they key is in their respective names
@txtrang2515
You could hear the pop and crackle in the sample. That's ol skool hip hop right there.
@SBeatjunkie805
Gives me chills.....beautiful....De La Souls always holds it down!!
@jerryzollicoffer1570
Absolutely the best track, the equivalent to the opening song on the BE album by Common, Push it Along on People's instinctive..,,,, makes you feel a certain way u know!