It was a trippy journey again to the Daisy Age when De La Soul celebrated the long-awaited streaming launch of its catalog — and the lifetime of not too long ago deceased member Trugoy the Dove — at New York’s Webster Hall on Thursday night time.
The progressive, influential Lengthy Island trio — which broadened the scope of hip-hop with their eclectic experimentation and quirky sensibility — had lengthy been MIA from streaming companies as a consequence of years of authorized battles with their former label, Tommy Boy.
However after Reservoir Media bought the Tommy Boy catalog, De La Soul’s first six studio albums — together with their groundbreaking debut, 1989’s “3 Ft Excessive and Rising” — lastly grew to become out there to stream on Friday.
Fittingly, Amazon Music sponsored the long-awaited launch occasion with an immersive occasion, the DA.I.S.Y. Expertise, that introduced collectively rap royalty reminiscent of KRS-One, Chuck D and Q-Tip, NYC DJ legends together with Clark Kent, Purple Alert and D-Good, and old-school hip-hop heads who make all of it really feel like one huge household reunion.
After performances by Queen Latifah (“U.N.I.T.Y.”) and Frequent (“The Light”), comic Dave Chappelle led the countdown to the midnight streaming launch as if it was New Yr’s Eve.
“In just some seconds, you’ve got each alternative to assist these brothers and let ’em know what they imply to you,” he mentioned. “These brothers are the massive factor of a few of the most lovely issues that occurred in our tradition.”
After all, it was a bittersweet second only a couple weeks after Trugoy the Dove (whose actual identify was David Jolicoeur) died at 54 on Feb. 12 after battling congestive coronary heart failure in recent times.
De La Soul’s different members, Maseo (a ok a Vincent Mason Jr.) and Posdnuos (Kelvin Mercer), remembered their late associate in rhyme.
“Our hearts are heavy. However our coronary heart can also be mild with solar from my brother David Jude Jolicoeur,” mentioned Maseo, who recalled assembly Trugoy the Dove in Lengthy Island. “We solid a relationship, grew to become brothers, grew to become greater than brothers, grew to become companions…and created an vitality that everybody all over the world has humbled us by respecting and loving. I’m really grateful for all of you who’re right here, and finest consider, my n – – – a Dave is trying down proper now on all people.”
“I often have quite a lot of phrases to say, however I’m confused,” added Posdnuos. “My feelings are very displaced. My man is gone, however I respect y’all for all these years supporting [us].”
Then Posdnuos mirrored on when he moved from Brooklyn to Lengthy Island in 1984.
“Once I moved to Lengthy Island, I assumed I used to be transferring additional away from my dream — which was being part of this s – – t known as hip-hop — however God that knew I used to be transferring nearer to it, you already know what I imply?
“A lot like to Lengthy Island ’trigger that’s the place my tribe got here collectively.”
