3 Feet High and Rising

It's genuinely heartbreaking that this album isn't on any streaming services, because it means that De La Soul has fallen out of the conversation of greatest 80s and 90s hip hop groups. This album, their debut, is absolutely brilliant. Funny, corny, listenable. It influenced so many modern artists, and I didn't realize before hearing it how much my favorite albums (such as Wildflower, by the Avalanches) are based on it. I can't identify a favorite song or moment, because they're all so good. This is an instant 5/5 for me, and it's by far the best album on this list that I'd never listened to before.

Very fun and incredibly clever. Many reviews compare this record to Sgt. Pepper but for hip pop. The comparison is completely understandable. Very fun concept album with great lyricism and wonderful production. The album does not drag even with the track-listing being more than an hour long. The album just feels like a group of friends having fun on the mic and in the studio. Favorite Track: Magic Number Least Favorite Track: De La Orgee

How many times did the Batmobile catch a flat???

One of the best hip hop albums on this list. The game show stuff was a really fun theme throughout. Great lyrics, samples, and beats. Plus Q-tip!

They are clearly having so much fun making this album. The friendly comedy sketches. The playful dissing (“everybody in the world, you got dandruff”, “you got doo doo in your pocket”). Wild to hear so many samples out of their context (Otis Reddings SOTDOTB whistle track in “Eye Know”). Crazy to think they made this before technology made it way easy. Just a damn fun album. The beats are hypnotizing. I could listen to the instrumental of “Plug Tunin’” for hours. As the album marches on they get bolder when it comes to the explicit content. Problematic for the suburbs in 1989 I’m sure. When “Me, Myself and I” drops toward the end, I got excited because I finally knew a song. That one has been there my whole life, hanging on the wall, sprucing things up. I’ll be coming back to this for sure.

Wonderful, if it's not the Sgt Pepper's of hip-hop, it is the Dark Side of the Moon of hip-hop! Absolute genius, even if it's not on Spotify

A fantastic and influential debut album from a talented trio, bringing a new sound and image to hip hop (one somewhat rebuked on their follow up De La Soul is Dead) and recalling the earlier days of classic hip hop. There are so many classic tracks here and is a showcase for the art of sampling, creating something new from something old. Three Is The Magic Number and Me, Myself and I are wicked party tracks, Eye Know is a surprisingly touching hip hop love song and Buddy is an energetic posse cut with like minded acts Jungle Brothers and Q Tip (but seek out the superior 12 inch remix with Phife Dawg, Queen Latifah and Monie Love plus a Kazoo horn section!). The downsides are an obsession with body odour and bad breath and a slew of skits and in jokes which amuse the band but nobody else. For this, a star was almost docked but my love for the band and for some even greater albums that followed since (Buhloone Mindstate, De La Soul is Dead) five stars are coming De La’s way.

Eh if this was a tribe called quest I wouldn't have been able to tell difference, also link went to "the missing album by the noel reading band and I listened to most of that(which if you care was 3/5)

This was clearly a lot of fun for these guys to record. I enjoyed the light-hearted nature of the tracks. One listen is fine.

Obv 5 star

Top 10 all time. At Least

What a fun listen! This album is cited in this site for being of the called "Golden Age of Hip Hop" for a good reason. With a very original concept, a great sense of humour and the incorporation of many different genres from funk to rap rock, this album is a true masterpiece. My only issue is: why tf isn't this album on Spotify? It's so sad that this fun piece of hip hop history hadn't made it to the biggest music streaming service.

I found this to be a fun vibe! Just 3 friends fucking around. Not necessarily something I'll come back to, but definitely in the upper percentile of things to come out of long island.

Clearly he was having fun making this album, it is goofy and has interesting sounds. However I was definitely not having fun listening to it. It sounds like hip-hop for 13-year-olds to blast and annoy the elders, and I'm with the elders on this one. There are a couple of genuinely good and catchy songs, but most of it is so obnoxiously annoying in your face I can't stand it. Stand-out: The Magic Number

Wonderful album! I've listened to it before so re-listening is a treat. Comedic, fun, entertaining - it's a fantastic and classic album that makes you just want to bounce. Top Picks: Eye Know Ghetto Thang Tread Water Say No Go

3 Feet High & Rising So many great memories of this album, helped by not being able to listen to it between getting rid of all my cds and all the rights being sorted and it coming on streaming. To get the one negative out of the way first, like many Hip Hop albums, the skits and fillery tracks do disrupt the flow, and apart from the ‘gonna win all the money’ line, they don’t bear the weight of repeat listens. But apart from that it absolutely holds up as a brilliantly joyous, inventive, kaleidoscopic record of samples and vibes - it still is a fantastic album. The Magic Number, Eye Know, Me Myself and I are high water marks for sunshiney, catchy golden-age hip hop, but there are superb songs throughout - Change in Speak, Jenifa, Ghetto Thang, Tread Water, Potholes in My Lawn, Say No Go, Plug Tunin’, Buddy, This Is a Recording. Samplewise its as dense and as intricately constructed as Paul’s Boutique, but I couple I really love are, Kraftwerk on Ghetto Thang, Peg on Eye Know, I Can’t Go For That on Say No Go. The overall atmosphere and feel is fantastic, even the skits and filler cant bring down the mood, it still one of the funnest and most enjoyable listens - easy 5 🦶🦶🦶🦶🦶 Playlist submission: Eye Know

Easily one of the best hip-hop albums of all time, 3 Feet High and Rising also belongs in the pantheon of the greatest sample based albums of all time alongside The Beastie Boys’ “Paul’s Boutique”, DJ Shadow’s “Entroducing” and The Avalanches’ “Since I Left You.” This is a master class, a tour de force…5 stars aren’t enough.

Last night, I had a dream. There's this woman - young, cool, big hair - driving down a packed New York street in a car with friends. Windows are down, sky is blue, there's an array of kitsch memorabilia in the back and on the dashboard. Hanging off the rear view mirror is a talking wireless speaker, probably voiced by Eddie Murphy. He yells that he wants to be played, and opts for De La Soul's "Me, Myself and I". There follows an extended dance sequence in which the woman driving the car, and then everybody around her, jumps out of their cars and dances on the roofs. Like that bit in "La La Land", but better, because… well, because it's soundtracked by De La Soul. And so I rest my case: after just a couple of days of listening, "3 Feet High and Rising" is an album with the power to send good vibes deep into the subconscious. Life is made surreal, technicolour, magical and fun with just an hour a day around these folks. That's something special. De La Soul's first full-length album is often credited as one of the progenitors of hip-hop's golden age. Besides the invader-of-my-dreams-smash-hit "Me Myself and I", there's "Eye Know", which draws together samples of Steely Dan and Otis Redding into a ecstatic, sunny jam. "The Magic Number" fuses Schoolhouse Rock with a drum sample originally from Led Zeppelin, while "Potholes in my Lawn", an allegory for other people stealing lines from the group, throws in a yodelling interlude for good measure. Two of the other hits, "Plug Tuning" and "Buddy" (with A Tribe Called Quest's Q-Tip), are more studied cool, but still get me nodding along every time. My other favourite tracks include "Tread Water", a spiritual journey disguised as an Alice in Wonderland-esque nursery rhyme, and "Change in Speak", with its irresistible horns and wriggling bassline sample. That's quite a hit ratio. While many of the rhymes may be sneered at by serious hip-hop heads (there's an awful lot of nursery-rhyme style trochaic meter, "De-la" prefixes and totally unserious tangents), the sense of fun cannot be surpassed and overrides everything. The humour is on point here: the quiz show framework baffled me at first but then won me over by the fourth or fifth listen. The schoolboy style chants like "Can U Keep A Secret", "Take It Off" and "Do as De-La Does" are ridiculous, but winningly high-spirited. And the interlude midway through "Jenifa Taught Me", in which little Darwin breaks into a rendition of "Chopsticks" while the rest of the group cheer him on, never fails to make me smile. This is my favourite hip-hop album on the list so far, and is going to be hard to top.

Can only listen to half on YouTube as album is not available on other streaming platforms

Smart, inventive, playful, positive, and unlike anything that had gone before. And the sort of album that couldn’t be made now in this age of strict sample clearance, as I am sure the almost-bankrupted De La would attest to. Which is a shame, as the samples are used creatively and with love, but there you go. One of the greatest albums ever made.

This sounded unlike anything else when I first bought it back in 1989. It's the loved up response to a West Coast rap scene that was heading down the gangster route. I knew which direction I wanted to turn to. Hip Hop concept albums should usually be avoided. But the dialogue and in-jokes aren't annoying, They keep the Daisy Age feel flowing thoughout. There's still room for politics with It's a Ghetto Thing. Plus there's also personal politics on Say No Go. This should be a SIX star album.

love

Wow, hard to find to stream but what a nice sound and vibe.

One’s personal high-water mark for hip-hop. The joy and warmth and humor, plus the communal feel of the whole thing. Listening today, one senses there’s perhaps too much filler (or forgettable inserts). This many full-on classics makes this 5. Shame about the lawsuit. And don’t sleep on De La Soul is Dead.

Singular and ever defiant. In a genre that is inherently contrarian and marginalized, De La would come to define a sound and voice in hip-hop that was contrarian and marginalized. I can't say they are my favorite or that I necessarily agreed with their issues with gangsta rap, but their contribution to hip-hop is unimpeachable. I like to think they stand for the idea that every space should welcome varied expression. I imagine all the black kids that didn't see themselves in the hardcore gangsta rap of the late 80s but still loved the genre. De La made sure they knew hip-hop was still for them. A monolith rebuked and a plurality embraced. This is their Plymouth Rock. No doubt about it. But it's never been my favorite. I prefer their more cutthroat approach on Stakes is High, but I won't speak on it like this isn't just my opinion. R.I.P. Trugoy 8/10 Favorite Song: Eye Know

Despite never listening, I have heard good things about De La Soul. They were only recently put on Spotify due to sample-clearing issues, which may explain the blind spot for me and modern listeners. I like alternative hip hop and this album could be considered the genesis of that subgenre. It's a fun listen, and they were clearly having fun messing around making this. You can hear its influence on many modern projects. I really dug the "sampledelia" instrumentals, extra impressive since this was before easy sampling tech. I found some of the dialogue and in-jokes kind of corny and annoying, and this album holds the dubious distinction for inventing the dreaded "rap skit." The lyrics sometimes almost gave me the juvenile vibe of a "t3h PeNgU1N oF d00m" (soooo randommm). I'll blame my lack of lyrical connection on unfamiliarity, which will improve on subsequent listens now that it's on Spotify. The music is just too good and the album too influential on a genre I like to rate it a 3. *Saw a couple reviews that said this was "hip hop's Sgt. Pepper" and the timing is ironic because we got Sgt. Pepper the following day.*

I remembered I liked this, but I liked it better than I remembered. Sounds newer and fresher than it is. Favorite song: Eye know

Fantastic hip hop album. The Steely Dan sample song was my favorite

Pot holes on my lawn. Fun sing along 90s hip hop. I miss this era of rap music. Creative samples and scratching

I liked it a lot. I listened to it twice (had it on in the background). I'm a huge fan of old school hip hop and this was something I wasn't very aware of. I like Heiroglyphics a lot, so this was a nice treat.

oh this is cool, i've been getting a lot of old school h- STEELY DAN PEG????

It's good fun, too long though Tread Water probably the best song

everybody in the world you got dandruff? goofy good and fun

Nr. 136/1001 Intro NR The Magic Number 3/5 (3x) Change In Speak 3/5 (2x) Cool Breeze on the Rock NR Can You Keep a Secret 2/5 (2x) Jenifa Taught Me 3/5 (3x) Ghetto Thang 3/5 (3x) Transmitting Live From Mars 2/5 (1x) Eye Know 5/5 (3x) Take It Off 2/5 (2x) A Little Bit Of Soap 3/5 (1x) Tread Water 3/5 (3x) Potholes in My Lawn 3/5 (3x) Say No Go 3/5 (3x) Do As De La Does 2/5 (2x) Plug Tunin' 3/5 (3x) De La Orgee 1/5 (1x) Buddy 3/5 (3x) Description 3/5 (1x) Me Myself and I 4/5 (3x) This Is A Record 4 Living 3/5 (3x) I Can Do Anything 2/5 (1x) D.A.I.S.Y. Age 3/5 (3x) Average: 2,98 Really liked Eye Know. The Rest was a mixed bag.

De La Soul!!!!!!!!!! This is masterpiece. The fusion of jazz, rap, and even salsa. The way the lyrics flow from what song to the next telling an overall story of the album. The fact, that its kind of about nothing and everything all at once? Its silly, its serious, its flowing and raw. The samples and collabs are also super dialed. This is one that I can just have on repeat all day. In fact, I did do that twice today because it had so much fun living in this record. This record is a treasure.

Loved it.

Phenomenal samples and what a groundbreaking album

AMAZING

When I saw this pop up this morning I cheered out loud. This is such a classic and I never mind going back and giving it a relisten. What a debut this was. It’s my 2nd favorite De La Soul album, behind AOI: Bionix.

This was such a good fucking time

Hell Yeah.

This album was a surprise. The beats are great and the skit stuff/joke songs were often actually funny. I found myself enjoying this immensely, and so it gets my second 5/5

Best ever

I think this deserves a 5. Do I love every track? Of course not, it's a hip hop album in the late 80s and you had to have skits. Do I think it's a phenomenal cultural landmark with some amazing jams? I sure do. Eye Know a GOAT.

Awesome! Look for more of them.

Beats fra allerhøjeste hylde

5/5. When imagination is not limited by copyright or ego, we get great and unique albums like this. The diverse samples with the upbeat and progressive lyrics, it is clear how the rap game changed after this album, with Tribe called Quest releasing their debut shortly after this. Jazzy psychedelic hip hop with chill beats and funny lines here and there, it's complex while still keeping a more down to earth energy. The sheer creativity across the record alone gives it that perfect score but as a listener, I am just curious to explore than the first couple listens. It's long but it is entertaining so it never gets boring, not taking up too much time to explore new ideas, bringing them up and putting them back when they are done. A great record of inspiration. Best Song: Eye Know, Me Myself And I, Potholes In My Lawn, The Magic Number

Always a favorite and has been for a few decades at this point. Love the samples and think there are 8 to 10 hip hop classics on here. Two favorite songs, which is what I'm trying to pull out for each album are "Buddy" and "Me Myself and I." Obviously the latter was a huge breakout for them, while the former is essentially a De La Quest song because Jungle Brothers and Q-Tip feature. Always fun to listen to this album.

Loved it. Was an awesome good mood vibe setter.

The first and best de la soul album. Funny, tuneful, peerless rapping. Say no go is magnificent, me myself and I is funky, 3 is the magic number always brings a smile to the face. The comedy songs and skits are also worthy of their spot which isn't always the way in a lot of hiphop albums. Best hiphop album of all time without question.

Classic material! This is a sampling masterpiece! So many amazing sounds that somehow work so well together, dope lyrics and a new and refreshing sound! I love this record and it's not even my favorite De La record!

amazing album

Banger

Pretty classic, although the skits are kind of blah and De La Orgee is downright cringe-worthy. Not perfect but the highs make up for the lows.

As a big tribe guy how have I not heard this until now? Its not the same but its from the same vein for sure. The production is so not typical for the time. Its not the real old school style nor is it the gangster stuff on the horizon. It feels like it was so far ahead of its time that it jumped a generation almost. Its still kinda basic flows but they are fun and funny at times. Just a really really good time. I can't belive it took this long oh my god. Everyone else should jump on this too please pleeeeaassseee

Made me realize and learn once and forever that you create art for yourself and if others enjoy it all the better. This is one of the most creative and expressive albums ever. Every song on it has something in common with all others but is also totally different.

Still one of the greatest after all these years. The high point for sampling based production and an innovation in rapping.

Really good hip hop album. So many great samples and beats with good lyricism and flow. My only complaint with this album is the padding. I didn't need to hear "De La Orgee", longest minute of my life But outside of that, this is great stuff

my impression of this album before a certain video came out: aren't this album by the rap group who were featured on feel good. inc? my impression of this album after a certain video came out: https://youtu.be/ZT2uYUlcE5g?t=20 so Mr. John Flansburgh... i 100% agree with your approval of this album. i really like the creative way they used sampling and how this album radiates positivity and fun instead of anger and dissatisfaction at the modern society, or money, violence, the hood, and women like what the genre looked like back in the day. and the skits are absurdly funny as well. 4.5/5

LOVE this album

A return to the classics

This album is just so much fun. This is why I listen to this list - I never would've listened to this organically.

How charming

Again my era . This album only came onto Spotify last year or so. So my vinyl copy was nearly worn out I have had it since the 80s can only give 5 stars would give it more.

Chaotically slick production and cool and relatable lyrics from The Plugs. 10/10

If I heard this in 1989 it would have radicalized me. I loveeee hip hop and old school hip hop specifically. It’s fun, it’s whip smart, it’s funky, it talks about serious issues without bumming you out. I was smiling the entire time I listened to it. I’ve been told so many times that I would love de la soul but WOW I didn’t expect to love then this much. It’s just so fun. I’d watch this as a full movie. I’d love to have this on vinyl! It makes me want to walk around outside in a big city in the summer. The perfect album for that.

I was back in high school for about an hour!

One of the finest hiphop albums created. I remember this being the first album the showcased the poetry, intelligence, and humanity of hiphop. 5/5

Not sure I've ever listened to them before and I didn't know what to expect. I seriously enjoyed this and am looking forwards to checking out more.

avoided the issue on spotify since that removes a few samples (man, copyright law makes me so mad). god this album is so great. cracked wide open the possibilities of what hip hop music could be. sunny and bright, and with brilliant production courtesy of Prince Paul. delightfully on the same wavelength as the acid house from across the pond, but in a completely different context. Me, Myself and I is a massive tune. fairly backloaded but god is that back half good deserves to be one of the 1001? mhm mhm! a rare album that really could not be made today in all its sampledelic glory. simply essential. one of the most important 80s hip hop albums

A great album from my favourite era of hip hop. Doesn’t take itself too seriously. A classic album to play in the car in summer with the windows down. At times it crosses the line into goofy but I’ll forgive it because the beats are great and I love these three guys.

One of the greatest hip hop albums of all time, nay, albums in any genre

Might be the first 5 star album on the list. Funny, clever, and sampling so good that it's hard to clear to repress or put on streaming services. - mitona

Reminds me of some other stuff I like (Digable Planets, Arrested Development, Tribe Called Quest) except singing about potholes, soap and other random shit.

One of my favorite albums ever. The samples r outta this world.

Laidback interesting production, innovative lyrics, and making their own lane

I'm enjoying the game-show intro. I hope the rest of the album is a full game-show. Wow, "(3 Is) The Magic Number" is a song that I heard once in a while a LONG time ago, and I've never known what it was. I love the hook, and the verses. "Can U Keep A Secret" is a weird song, it's a funny idea but isn't that great to listen to. Lots of people have dandruff. "Eye Know" sounds like its sampling just Otis' whistling, which is funny. This is a great song, the other sample is great too. "Take It Off" is another weird song. "A Little Bit of Soap" has dope flow and a fun beat. It's also funny. Please use soap. "Tread Water" is back to the fundamentals with a dope beat and bars. I forgot to write my thoughts on the back half of the album, but it was all pretty good. "This Is A Recording" was my favorite. I maintain that an hour is too long for almost any album, and this album had its boring sections. Despite that, the highs were high enough that I'm willing to give this a 9. 9/10

Sublime

Love this album!

Ik heb nog wat achterstallige albums liggen, maar ik ga deze even tussendoor pakken want de boog kan niet altijd gespannen zijn. De La Soul: heerlijke rapgroep. Een hoorbaar oldskool album. Maatschappijkritisch maar niet zonder plezier. Het is een beetje melig en op een geinige manier wat afgezaagd en het staat daardoor lijnrecht tegenover de veel te stoere gangsterrap waar je misschien al gauw genoeg van krijgt. Af en toe is het me net iets te simpel (track 6 bijv.), maar het stoort niet echt. Wat ik lees op de wiki is dat dit album verantwoordelijk is voor skits op hiphopalbums en daar heb ik een haat liefde verhouding mee die iets meer richting haat dan liefde leunt. Maargoed. Ik vind ze op dit album wel geinig. Een liedje over hoofdroos, een Frans intermezzotje met lekker beatje, een kort trackje waarop ze aangeven dat ik me een keer moet wassen. Prima. Alleen De La Orgee is een hard skip voor mij. Het is niet altijd zo geweest, maar tegenwoordig vind ik De La Soul een feest om te luisteren. Ik denk dat zelfs rap- en hiphop haters groepen als De La Soul en A Tribe Called Quest over het algemeen nog wel kunnen waarderen. Terecht wat mij betreft. Ik vind het niet eens het beste rapalbum ooit (die eer gaat natuurlijk naar Lange Frans en Baas B - Supervisie (2004)) maar het is wel een essentiële. Ik geef hem 5 sterren.

Excellent and fun and feed good!

5/5

Both, this album and the previous one have opened my eyes and heart to rap and hip hop. I really liked it.

Loved it front to back!

this is the ultimate boy best friends album. i enjoyed it so much. fun, funny, funky. i also love their long island accents. fav tracks: 3 is the magic number; change in speak; eye know; transmitting live from mars; me myself and i

Um dos álbuns seminais de um estilo de rap ligado mais ao Groove, com uma pegada jazzística e livre. É sempre reconfortante voltar nesse disco e ver a criatividade dos samples utilizados. Só considero cansativo ele ser tão longo, mas não sei como eu o diminuiria.

Pretty chill

All bangers the past 3 days. Incredible album.

A favorite of mine. I like how cohesive the album is and I like how much fun they’re obviously having. Probably a top 5 of all time for me

I'm really tired so I'm going to go over it fast great vibes great lyrics and unmatched production while listening to the first half of the album I was just disappointed that there are other genres in music Also loved the beastie boys reference

A hip-hop masterpiece. From start to finish, this is a complete banger. Every song, every skit are incredible. The sampling is top notch and it 's a bridge between the drum breakdown beats of the 80s and the melodic beats of the 90s. From social commentary to incredible humour, the lyrics are great. It's flawless. 5/5

the magic number

Total classic. One of the best hip hop albums of all time. This is what party should sound like.

9/10 Still remains as an all time classic, one of the most witty and creative pieces of Hip Hop in history, RIP Trugoy

Круто узнать истоки экспериментального хип-хопа, заметил элементы, которые в некоторой степени, как мне показалось, переняли тайлер создатель и клиппинг. Просто невероятные вайбы девяностых - нулевых

It’s my favorite De La Soul album!

Obviously a classic. Quick upbeat and intelligent. King of the samples

Still "The Magic Number"

This one is tough. Like Paul's Boutique, it features an insane smorgasbord of samples (famously or infamously). It's got a flow like De La Soul, it's a complete product as an album (which I always give respect to) but here comes the BUT! It features some...youthful exuberance that I'm a little old for now? I dinged the beastie boys for it. It's a little long, I complain about many albums being too long. Can I hold this against it? After sitting and listening, I can't, even though I've held it against other albums. Fun almost all the way through, and anywhere it trips it gets right up and keeps going, which is almost inspiring. It's a great.

## In-Depth Review of *3 Feet High and Rising* by De La Soul De La Soul’s *3 Feet High and Rising* (1989) stands as one of hip-hop’s most inventive and influential albums, reshaping the genre’s sound, aesthetic, and thematic possibilities. This review examines its lyrics, music, production, themes, and lasting influence, while weighing its strengths and weaknesses. --- ## **Lyrics** De La Soul’s lyricism on *3 Feet High and Rising* is marked by wit, offbeat humor, and a playful approach that was a radical departure from hip-hop’s prevailing trends in the late 1980s. While much of the rap landscape was dominated by the aggressive narratives of gangsta rap, De La Soul’s verses were “bizarre and surreal,” often focusing on everyday topics with a whimsical twist—ranging from personal hygiene (“A Little Bit of Soap”) to gardening metaphors, and even anthropomorphic animals (“Tread Water”)[1][3][7]. The group’s lyrics are packed with clever wordplay and layered references. Tracks like “Me Myself and I” champion individuality and self-acceptance, while “Eye Know” delivers a breezy, romantic message using a Steely Dan sample as its backbone[3][5]. “Ghetto Thang” shifts to a more serious tone, reflecting on urban life and systemic struggles, yet even here, the delivery is thoughtful rather than confrontational[3][7]. De La Soul’s use of the “D.A.I.S.Y. Age” motif—an acronym for “Da Inner Sound, Y’all”—was both a statement of their ethos and a recurring lyrical device, signaling a “sunnier,” more positive outlook[1][3]. Their verses often eschew profanity (with rare exceptions), favoring positivity, introspection, and humor over aggression or materialism[5]. **Pros:** - Highly original, playful, and intelligent lyricism - Wide thematic range, from the deeply personal to the absurd - Positive, non-confrontational tone that was rare at the time **Cons:** - Some rhyming patterns and references may feel dated to modern listeners[2] - Occasional skits and humor may not resonate with all audiences --- ## **Music and Production** Prince Paul’s production on *3 Feet High and Rising* is nothing short of revolutionary. The album is a sample-heavy collage that draws from an eclectic mix of genres: funk, soul, jazz, psychedelic rock, doo-wop, and even children’s music[1][3][4]. The result is a sonic landscape that is unpredictable, vibrant, and endlessly inventive. Sampling is at the heart of the album’s sound. Iconic tracks like “Eye Know” utilize Steely Dan’s “Peg,” while “Say No Go” flips Hall & Oates’ “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do),” and “The Magic Number” borrows from Schoolhouse Rock[5][7]. The album’s production is dense and layered, with snippets of old music, quirky sound effects, and unexpected transitions. Prince Paul’s use of the Casio RZ-1 drum machine and Eventide harmonizer enabled the manipulation and blending of disparate samples into cohesive tracks[1]. The album’s structure is also notable for its inclusion of skits, particularly the recurring game show theme, which ties the project together and adds to its playful atmosphere[1][3][7]. These skits, rather than feeling like filler, are integral to the album’s personality and flow. **Pros:** - Groundbreaking use of diverse and unconventional samples - Inventive, psychedelic, and unpredictable soundscape - Skits enhance the album’s concept and cohesion **Cons:** - The dense, sample-heavy production can be overwhelming on first listen - Some samples and production choices may sound dated or less impactful today due to changes in hip-hop’s sonic landscape[2] --- ## **Themes** *3 Feet High and Rising* is thematically rich, exploring a broad spectrum rarely seen in hip-hop at the time. The album’s central message is one of positivity, individuality, and creative freedom. The D.A.I.S.Y. Age philosophy embodies a rejection of hip-hop’s growing materialism and violence, instead embracing peace, harmony, and Afrocentrism[1][3][7][8]. The album tackles love (“Eye Know”), coming of age and sexual awakening (“Jenifa Taught Me”), social commentary (“Ghetto Thang”), and self-acceptance (“Me Myself and I”). Even when addressing serious topics, De La Soul maintains a sense of optimism and playfulness. The group’s willingness to be vulnerable and self-deprecating set them apart from their peers[5][7]. The use of humor and absurdity—whether in lyrics about dandruff or surreal storytelling—serves to both entertain and disarm, making the album accessible without sacrificing depth[1][3][5]. **Pros:** - Emphasis on positivity and individuality - Wide thematic scope, blending humor with introspection - Subverts genre conventions, expanding hip-hop’s thematic boundaries **Cons:** - Some themes may come across as naïve or lightweight compared to the era’s more hard-hitting social commentary - The album’s quirky tone may not appeal to those seeking more traditional hip-hop bravado --- ## **Influence** The impact of *3 Feet High and Rising* on hip-hop and popular music is immense. The album is widely credited with pioneering alternative hip-hop and jazz rap, opening the door for acts like A Tribe Called Quest, The Pharcyde, and later, OutKast[1][3][5][7]. Its sample-heavy production set a new standard for creativity and experimentation in hip-hop, influencing producers and artists for decades. De La Soul’s embrace of Afrocentrism, individuality, and positive messaging helped anchor the Native Tongues collective, which would become a major force in early 1990s hip-hop[7]. The album’s use of skits became a template for countless hip-hop records that followed, and its eclectic approach to sampling demonstrated the genre’s potential for musical collage and cross-cultural dialogue[1][3][7]. Despite its influence, the album’s legacy was complicated by legal issues surrounding sample clearance, which kept it off digital platforms for decades—a factor that arguably limited its exposure to new generations until its recent re-release[1][2]. **Pros:** - Pioneered alternative hip-hop and jazz rap - Inspired a wave of creative, experimental artists and producers - Helped establish the Native Tongues movement **Cons:** - Sample clearance issues delayed its availability on digital platforms, impacting its long-term visibility and influence[2] - Some later listeners may find its innovations less striking due to the many artists it inspired --- ## **Pros and Cons Summary** | Pros | Cons | |---------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | Highly original, playful, and intelligent lyricism | Some rhymes and references feel dated | | Groundbreaking, eclectic sample-based production | Dense production may overwhelm some listeners | | Positive, wide-ranging themes; subverts genre conventions | Quirky tone may not appeal to all | | Integral, entertaining skits that enhance the album’s concept | Some themes may seem lightweight or naïve | | Pioneered alternative hip-hop, jazz rap, and hip-hop skits | Sample clearance issues limited digital access for years | | Helped establish the Native Tongues and influenced generations | Innovations may feel less novel to modern ears | --- ## **Conclusion** *3 Feet High and Rising* remains a landmark in hip-hop history, celebrated for its fearless creativity, humor, and positivity. De La Soul and Prince Paul crafted an album that broke every rule, inviting listeners into a world where intelligence, individuality, and fun reigned supreme. Its inventive sampling, witty lyricism, and thematic depth set new standards for what hip-hop could be. While some aspects of the album may feel dated or overly quirky to modern ears, its influence is undeniable. It opened up new possibilities for hip-hop, paving the way for alternative voices and experimental production techniques. Even decades after its release, *3 Feet High and Rising* stands as a testament to the power of innovation, reminding us that the genre’s boundaries are always meant to be pushed.