Today In Hip Hop History - De La Soul Dropped Their 3 Feet High And Rising

Today in Hip Hop History:

On March 3, 1989, Long Island trio De La Soul released their landmark album '3 Feet High & Rising. This landmark record ushering in a new generation of rappers remains an influential landmark to this day.

This album introduced a refreshing and liberated take on Hip-Hop that's been likened to A Tribe Called Quest's People's Instinctive Travels & Paths of Rhythm. Both albums featured eclectic sampling and an upbeat attitude toward self-awareness.

The Native Tongues

Today In Hip Hop History:

Long Island's De La Soul released their landmark album '3 Feet High And Rising' in 1989, setting the standard for modern day hip hop culture. This groundbreaking record revolutionized how we listen to and perceive music today.

Prince Paul produced this iconic hip hop album, which is considered one of the best ever recorded. Notable for its eclectic soundscape of samples from artists not usually associated with hip hop culture such as Johnny Cash, Hall and Oates, Otis Redding and even a French language instructional record!

On this album, De La Soul were able to express their individual styles through unique sounds and styles of rap that were far from what was considered mainstream at the time. Their song writing and rhymes were so good that it propelled them into success as a group of rappers.

This album is of paramount significance in hip hop history as it set a landmark example of intellectual rap music, exploring topics such as poverty, drug abuse and materialism. Additionally, it marked an important transition towards jazz rap's development.

As such, this album marked a monumental landmark in hip hop history and should not be missed by any collection. The trio hails from Amityville New York where they formed the Native Tongues collective along with other well-known hip hop acts such as A Tribe Called Quest and the Jungle Brothers.

The trio had a passion for hip hop but felt limited by its limitations. To break away from other musical traditions that most rappers were not able to explore with their music, they turned towards pop and rock music as alternatives.

De La Soul never shied away from being seen as a hard rap group, instead opting for smart and sardonic emcees who represented Black misfits. Despite being considered a gangster rap group, De La Soul always maintained an important message.

They stood against the current rap trends and demonstrated that they weren't afraid to stand up for what they believed in. This made them an incredibly popular group; many still listen to their music today.

The Album

Today In Hip Hop History: De La Soul Released Their "3 Feet High"

De La Soul were at the epicenter of a cultural shift when their debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising, was released. They represented an entirely different approach than what had come before - their album stood as an affirmation of difference from other street rap acts at that time.

De La were no strangers to sampling, but their approach differed from that of other rap artists in the early 1980s. Since they weren't subject to clearance fees or limitations on what music could be sampled, De La were able to draw upon an expansive library and utilize it in ways most rappers weren't permitted at that time.

On their single "Plug Tunin'," for instance, they draw samples from Schoolhouse Rock, Hall & Oates and Liberace. The result is an eclectic sound that requires multiple listens to sort through.

On 3 Feet High and Rising, there are moments that stand out more intentionally than others, like the catchy "Jenifa Taught Me (Derwin's Revenge," a great song about high school love. Or the self-deprecatory skits interwoven throughout the LP's tracks.

The group's style was a major factor in their success and it continues to be beloved by fans. It's an aesthetic that can be hard to replicate elsewhere, yet it allows for creativity without the limitations that other styles require.

So it should come as no shock that when De La Soul released De La Soul Is Dead (1991), it was heralded as one of the greatest albums in its genre. They also earned themselves a place as "alternative" rap heroes, though unfortunately much of their unique style has been lost over time.

Tommy Boy Records has finally reached an agreement to release 3 Feet High and Rising on streaming services after two decades. This is an exciting opportunity for music fans to revisit an album that had been overlooked due to its creative scope, which will no doubt be appreciated by longtime De La fans alike.

The Single

Today in Hip Hop History:

De La Soul made history when they joined forces in Amityville, Long Island in 1989 and quickly established themselves as one of the most creative and innovative rap groups. From their initial hit single "Plug Tunin'," De La Soul demonstrated that they weren't content to follow the standard hip-hop template.

They employed a tongue-in-cheek humor and highly abstracted approach to rap that contrasted sharply with the straight-up, high-impact swagger popular at that time. Furthermore, they put great emphasis on artistic meta-concepts; connecting their lyrics to an artistic vision they called The D.A.I.S.Y (Da Inner Sound Ya'll) Age that came directly from within each member themselves.

Their debut, 3 Feet High and Rising, revolutionized hip-hop. It was a full concept album, tied together by an amusing game show theme as well as the group's quirky personality. This groundbreaking record put artsy weirdness at the forefront of rap while changing people's perception of what music could be.

De La Soul members Posdnuos, Kelvin "Posdnous" Mercer and Vincent "Pacemaster Mase" Mason started writing raps as a way of honing their skills on microphones during high school.

Once they achieved success, they signed with Tommy Boy Records and collaborated with Prince Paul on three albums that would go down in hip-hop history as some of the finest releases ever created.

Since their Tommy Boy Records days, the duo has toured and performed together but had few opportunities to create new music. It has proven difficult for them to get their catalog released on streaming services, keeping them out of the conversation as genre GOATs.

After a lengthy hiatus, De La Soul are back with their most ambitious project in years: AOI: Bionix. Their AOI trilogy is an intriguing collection of songs, but it doesn't quite capture what De La Soul does best: sample-chopping and relaxed flexing. Their latest single, "Feels Like I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby," blends Timbaland-style polyrhythms with an updated version of De La's original "Plug Tunin'," creating a song as relevant today as when it was released.

The Tour

Today in Hip Hop History: De La Soul Released Their "3 Feet High and Rising"

One of the most influential American hip-hop groups, De La Soul is renowned for their eclectic sampling and provocative lyrics. Their debut album 3 Feet High and Rising was an instant success upon its release and became a classic staple in hip-hop culture.

Since then, Melvin Mercer, David Jude Jolicoeur and Vincent Mason have worked tirelessly to establish themselves as one of the greatest acts in rap music history. Their work continues to be influential today, often being cited as the founding fathers of jazz rap. They've collaborated with countless artists such as A Tribe Called Quest and Mos Def, but none more so than Gorillaz on their 2006 single "Feel Good Inc."

After their initial two albums failed to capture the attention of mainstream hip-hop, De La Soul began exploring other genres of music with their distinctive sound. This would eventually lead to success with albums such as Buhloone Mindstate (1993), Stakes Is High (1996) and Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump (2000).

Rap fans must own these records for their unique sound and style. The early albums are particularly beloved due to their poetic and rhythmic content as well as the use of samples to craft a distinct soundscape.

De La Soul revolutionized hip hop in 1989 by creating an innovative blend of hippy-esque influences and urban sounds - setting themselves as one of the early pioneers of what would later be known as alternative hip-hop. Their eclectic sampling helped define this genre to what it is today.

Comparable to other contemporary rappers, they took a more positive, non-violent approach. Their debut album '3 Feet High and Rising' contained songs with socially conscious messages such as drug abuse and poverty; making them beloved among hip-hop fans of all ages.

Their latest album, 'Memento Mori', contains some of their best songs ever and they are taking some of these hits on tour this year! Check out the dates below and get your tickets for a show near you!

Sarnia Resident is Part of the 'Crew' Behind a Hip Hop Math Project

Tom Slater, a Sarnia resident, is part of the team behind an innovative hip hop math project that seeks to teach young people how to solve equations and sharpen their math abilities. This initiative is being spearheaded by Tom Slater.

Sarnia, Ontario is situated where Lake Huron meets the St. Clair River at Canada-US border.

Sarnia’s Hip Hop Math Project

Sarnia resident and fan of hip hop culture, DJ Mathematics is part of an innovative group that's been applying hip hop magic in the classroom. His innovation includes not only traditional math curriculums but also context incorporation - a new pedagogy which integrates social studies, literacy, science and technology for an engaging learning experience for teachers as well as students.

The Project

The Hip Hop Math Project is an innovative leadership initiative for students in grades 9 to 12 living in Sarnia and nearby First Nations communities. A partnership between the YMCA and local First Nations organizations, this initiative seeks to maximize these young people's leadership potentials and build their capacity to give back within their communities.

The Project will have a lasting effect, uniting motivated students who are passionate about leadership development, fundraising and philanthropy. Through this endeavor, these young people will have the chance to hone their personal strengths and become leaders within their schools, communities and YMCA; additionally it increases awareness among families, friends and the broader public about YMCA's youth leadership programs.

Effective project management begins with setting goals and objectives to guide your team throughout the endeavor. These should be SMART goals: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. Doing this ensures everyone is on the same page from day one and allows for efficient management of the project.

Projects often fail to reach their objectives due to inadequate planning. When a project isn't progressing as expected, the cause usually lies with one of several factors:

Projects must have clearly defined objectives to guarantee everyone is on the same page. These goals should be SMART and aligned with business and organizational targets.

The Crew

Hip-hop music is being used by educators to help students master math and other subjects. School Library Journal reported that Andy Spinks, a librarian at Campbell High School in Georgia, has set up an impressive recording studio where students can create their own music and gain knowledge about digital recording.

Many teachers use the music of rappers such as Kendrick Lamar and Public Enemy to educate their students about social justice issues. They also work to promote voter registration among young people. Joquetta Johnson, for instance, has used rap to instruct her students about digital citizenship and copyright.

Wilson noted that the hip hop music community has become an invaluable tool for educators working with students, as it gives students a platform to express themselves and learn about themselves while exploring topics close to their hearts. Furthermore, Wilson sees music as an opportunity to boost student self-worth and foster creativity.

He's been actively engaged in a range of initiatives, such as creating an album for elementary school classrooms and initiating the "DJing for the Future" program. Additionally, he is part of The Math Album team - comprised of 10 other Ontario-based teachers who use hip hop in their lessons - according to Wilson.

Hip Hop Headucatorz are his collective of DJs, MCs and graffiti artists. According to Wilson, they come from various backgrounds with unique styles ranging from MCs and producers to break dancers and graffiti artists.

They all possess an enthusiasm for teaching and love to motivate students. As part of Hip Hop Ed, a larger movement designed to motivate and engage Black and Latino youth in STEM subjects, their passion has never wavered.

This movement has recently spread throughout Canada and Jamaica with the mission of encouraging underrepresented youth to pursue STEM fields. It stems from New York City, where it has inspired and engaged more than 100,000 students from various backgrounds.

He's a rapper and DJ who uses his talent to motivate students in ways that will be beneficial for them. He says he's had students who had never written a song before come to him with their own ideas, exclaiming how excited they are to get in the studio.

The Finale

Hip hop music has grown increasingly popular over time, and educators across America are using it as a tool to engage their students. From Michelle Obama's rhymed appeal to high schoolers to Ellen DeGeneres' recent spotlight on second-grade teacher Michael Bonner, hip-hop education is becoming seen as an effective means for teachers to spark students' imaginations and curiosity.

In many ways, this kind of education is similar to how musical and theatrical works conclude with a thrilling finale. This thrilling moment usually serves to keep audiences engaged until the very end.

Teachers who utilize hip hop music in their classes typically introduce lessons differently than those who don't. This makes it simpler for students to comprehend and appreciate the concept.

One way to introduce the concept is through video presentation. A Sarnia teacher who was part of the 'crew' behind this project created a video with hip-hop lyrics on adding integers which she shared with her classes. She then used pre and post tests to measure student understanding of the lessons.

The hip-hop lyrics were perfect for the video, and it quickly became evident that it had an impact on her students. A large percentage of them learned lessons faster than expected.

Furthermore, she states that the song helped her students make connections between math and their lives, leading them to become more engaged in her class and take control of discussions - particularly female students who she says can sometimes struggle to feel connected to their learning in traditional classroom settings.

This is of great significance, as she believes it's essential for students to have a connection with their learning. This gives them an enhanced comprehension of how the world functions and allows them to make informed decisions about their futures.