3 Feet High and Rising

I've heard the name De La Soul and it looks like I have 1 song liked by them - "Say No Go" on this album. I don't remember when, where or why I heard that and clicked like on it. Thoughts after listening 3 times.. Uh oh, 23 songs over an hour - is this going to be lots of filler?? 1st song is a talking skit - ok yeah it seems like there is going to be a bunch of filler. I've decided as I go through this I'm gonna create a playlist with only the actual songs and just listen to those 3 times - so I'm not bogged down with the dumb skit stuff. Not sure why Spotify has 23 songs whereas Wikipedia shows 24. Oh well, I'll just review the 23 that are on Spotify. "Eye Know" is kinda fun - I think mostly because I know and like the Steely Dan song it samples. "3 Is The Magic Number", "Tread Water", "Me Myself and I", and "This Is a Recording 4 Living in a Fulltime Era (L.I.F.E.)" - have a good groove. "Me Myself and I" has a Prince-like (1999 album era) keyboard sound. I ended up liking 6 songs (all the ones mentioned above), which will be a fun surprise when they pop up on my playlists. This is a new high for "# of songs liked on a hip hop album" from this project - progress! Liked songs on Spotify: 6/23 Rating: 2/5

nach der hälfte abgebrochen. wieder random old school rap der witzig sein will. ist er nicht

Rap and hip-hop aren't broadly my usual style, but I expected I might like this. My favorite hip-hop album is I Wish My Brother George Was Here by Del tha Funkee Homosapien, so it's clear I'm not into the gangster subgenre. That applies to mafia films, too; I just can't relate to the romanticization of organized crime. It feels a bit strange, akin to women who become pen pals to imprisoned serial killers. 3 Feet High and Rising is as polar opposite to gangster as you can get. Despite enjoying it, I'm unsure how to properly judge this genre. In my naivety, the samples and production all sound great to me. It's all very funky with a strong groove that gets my head bobbing. There's a sense of humor and humility in the lyrics that makes you smile. My only criticism would be the game-show skits interspersed between some tracks. Given the album's length, those segments could have been trimmed to create a tighter runtime. I'm generally not into hip-hop, but when I am in the mood, I would definitely consider giving this one another listen. 4/5

7- / 10

Tää dela soul on jälleen ihan jeespoks. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ihan taidokasta samplaamista!

Good flow. Very high, highs, some songs were really good. I liked the theme and what they did with the whole clean/ positive hip-hop vibe.

Honestly, I’ve known a few of the big tracks for ages, but I’d never actually sat down and listened to the whole album from start to finish until now. It’s a proper enjoyable listen and I’ll definitely be going back to it.The whole thing just flows really well. The intro is clever and sets it up nicely, and the musicianship is great—proper groovy tunes throughout. Also, usually album skits annoy me, but these ones are actually clever and work perfectly to keep the whole record cohesive.Lyrics-wise, it’s really funny and humorous, but it’s not just a joke album. There’s a good mix with some serious stuff in there too, which balances it out well. "Me Myself and I" is just so good, and "Magic Number" is an absolute classic.It’s just a really cool record that has aged massively well. Good samples. Standard 4 stars for me.

I first became aware of De La Soul through their iconic contributions to "Feel Good Inc." and "Superfast Jellyfish" by Gorillaz. And then it was in discovering Jungle Brothers and A Tribe Called Quest through this project that I became familiar with the Native Tongues. At some point during all of that, I listened to 3 Feet High and Rising. The beats are wonderful, such a creative and cohesive use of sampling. In fact, I think it's that cohesion that is so impressive about this album—where Public Enemy uses samples that feel thrown together and disjunct, De La Soul seamlessly mixes samples from disparate artists, like Sly Stone, Steely Dan, and Otis Redding. The rapping, though rudimentary by today's standards, is fun and fresh, and offers a different perspective on what hip hop can be. I love the dynamic and interplay between Trugoy, Maseo, and Posdnous. They have a good sense of humor and don't take themselves too seriously—it really feels like a few good kids goofing around and creating a landmark record in the process. This album's influence was immense. Their use of sampling was groundbreaking, and (for better or for worse) they introduced the idea of hiphop skits (which I think they do better than most groups do). Some of my favorite hiphop artists were inspired by this album and the work of the Native Tongues. Also, I know the band wasn't crazy about it, but I love the album cover. It's a classic album, and an important piece of music history, and for all these reasons, it deserves a 5!

Not my exact type of rap, but I can get jiggy with this. Nice, smooth beats followed by a fresh flow. Can't go wrong with that.

Just a fun album that doesn't sound like any other rap album out there.

toller hip hop - von damals, wo er noch gut war.

Cooler Rap

Me, myself, and I gave me a ton of nostalgia for the NCAA Football 13 soundtrack. Whole album was great, if a bit longer than I would prefer. Still, four stars for sure.

Such an abstract and humorous album that truly sounds unique. The beats sounded like they were from television shows back in the day and the witty rapping by De La Soul complimented them perfectly. I wasn't a huge fan of all the interludes going on in the album with "De La Orgee" definitely being the weirdest. But many of the songs would be what I would introduce a child to hip hop with. Well enunciated rapping with direct and witty rhymes.

This album was so huge to me when it came out. I couldn’t get enough of it. Still so amazing and exciting. And led me onto the whole Native Tongues gang. It’s an incredible debut. So inventive and different

Re listening after a long time this is still a great album. It was one of those that set the bar running in rap showing that the format could travel in multiple directions

Definitely one of the best hip hop albums I’ve heard so far. The Magic Number and Me Myself and I are both bangers. After thinking about it I’m giving this album a 5 because hip hop may not get another chance from me

I was hesitant to rate it the highest, but one should keep in mind how playful "3 Feet High" is. The album has this TV show-feel because of the quiz thing, it makes you smile and laugh because of how unserious and chilled it is with all those porn twist moments and gimmicks. Several tracks may be highlighted here. Ghetto Thang, Plug Tunin', D.A.I.S.Y. Age, the last track which is a version of Plug Tunin' and is criminally missing from the music streaming services version. I like hip hop with more melodic samples and instrumentals, but given this album mostly lacks that, it keeps the sound almost as good as possible. Rarely do you ever get even a bit bored. Perhaps a few tracks could be omitted from the first half, but this hour of rap was definitely worth it and it in many ways deserves high acclaim. Perhaps an A– rather than an A, but hands down, the album's great, rapping is good, you should listen in before you die.

De La Soul are known to the general public primarily for their verses on Gorillaz's "Feel Good Inc." Not so many can name another song by them. And that's a shame, because their first album is literally a textbook example of sampling. Three twenty-somethings took their parents' old records and chopped up everything they could: melodies by Otis Redding, Steely Dan, and The Turtles are mixed with TV-show jingles and French advertising slogans. They didn't bother clearing copyright, so the album wasn't available on streaming services until 2023. The result is positive and pumping hip-hop, quite provocative for the time — back then, it was common to rap about social injustice and gunfights, but here we have some funny stuff, friendly banter... In short, De La Soul is like the Weezer of rap. A great album!

The Magic Number - 5/5 Change in Speak - 4.5/5 Can U Keep a Secret - 4/5 Jenifa Taught Me (Derwin's Revenge) - 4.5/5 Ghetto Thang - 4.5/5 Transmitting Live From Mars - 3.5/5 Eye Know - 5/5 Take It Off - 3.5/5 A Little Bit of Soap - 3.5/5 Tread Water - 4.5/5 Potholes in My Lawn - 4.5/5 Say No Go - 4.5/5 Do as De La Does - 3.5/5 Plug Tunin' (Last Change to Comprehend) - 4.5/5 De La Orgee - 2.5/5 Buddy - 4.5/5 Description - 3.5/5 Me Myself and I - 5/5 This is a Recording 4 Living in a Full Time Era (L.I.F.E) - 4/5 I Can Do Anything (Delacratic) - 3.5/5 D.A.I.S.Y. Age - 4/5 These guys were really having fun making this and you can tell by listening to this. The main singles were all killer and the sampling/production was also top notch. I can blame this album now for introducing the skit thing that a lot of other hip-hop albums also did, even though it was as simple as a "game show" that really didn't go anywhere. Highs were high, rest was alright. Overall: 4/5 Favorites: The Magic Number, Eye Know, Me Myself and I

DeLaSoul is DeLaSoul. Wonderous trippy fun!

#956. Pretty good grandpa rap. 3/5: the bee's knees

A good album and a really tight sound.

Been a very long time since I've listened to this. List needs an album like this to show the many facets of hip hop. Really using the art form of the album. Fun use of recognizable samples. Every track grows on me a little more every listen. Great production. The fun energy is really passed on to the listener. I like this. Not sure how often I'd listen to this as a whole in the future, but might be more often after this.

3 is a Magic Number but this album is a total vibe on 5

In fact I do crave sex and drugs and rock 'n' roll ... and hip hop! It is nice to have a reprieve from gangsta rap, and it does at times work on its own trajectory. Not always, though, the rhymes sometimes forced and the beat sometimes unconnected. When it works, it works really well (like Eye Know).

I appreciate the levity, but not the experience.

Brings back a lot of fond memories.

Bit too cute, bit too fun. Too long. I realise its importance in music history, so I guess I'll add one star for that.

это не плохой альбом, но я устал, ну и тк это реп из 80ых- много смешных звучков, ву танг на голову выше

Yeah, probably the best hip hop album I have ever heard but, well, I don't really like hip hop...

Listening to this takes me back to high school.

I've been listening to this album for years and its one of my favorite hip hop records. This is more or less a product of a group of teenagers raiding their parents record collections to create a world of their own. (Produce Prince Paul was a couple years older.) There are definitely moments where its clear that the songs are a product of goofing off, but most of that works for the record, with the exception of the slightly eyerolling De La Orgy. That work always returns to a set of strong songs. The record also provides a kind of narrative of skits that run throughout the record. For the most part, I really don't like the skits on hip hop records of this era, but De La Soul is the exception to this rule and the game show narrative really holds up. A genuinely unique and really fantastic record.

A little less serious of an album, I didn’t think the interludes really helped this one Playlist add: "Eye Know"

Ok underground rap hip hop

Didn't float my boat

Great album, just a tad too long

Feld dated but brought back some good memories

Not my style but at least I could understand the words in early rap

A very fun album. Easy to listen to and the skits don’t ruin the albums flow. Fairly long, but doesn’t overstay its welcome.

Легендарний альбом від легендарного гурту. Один із кращих представників жанру. Вони принесли дуркуватість (в хорошому сенсі) в жанр, якої йому десь не вистачало. Дуже крута робота із семплами, і їх тут просто якась неадекватна кількість. Через це, власне, гурт дуже довго не міг потрапити на стрімінги. Багато скітів, але вони прикольні і в принципі будуть фішкою гурту завжди. Лірично на мій смак гурт розвинеться краще на пізніших альбомах, але тут теж є свої хайлайти. Краща пісня тут Eye Know. Пощастило потрапити на концерт де були вони, Public Enemy та Wu-Tang. Хоч і їхав на Ву, але найбільше радості було саме від їх сету.

Класика, завжди любив цей гурт.

One of my absolute favorite hip hop albums. De La created such a funny and enjoyable experience throughout. Great and catchy beats by Maseo and Prince Paul and incredible verses by both Trugoy and Posdnuos. Awesome tracks throughout laced with lots of personality and humor. The skits are also surprisingly great and are genuinely pretty silly. The sample flips on here are especially one of the biggest highlights of the record. One of the most influential in not just hip hop, but I'd say music in general when it comes to sampling. Anything from Steve Miller Band to Schoolhouse Rock is fair game on this album and it all comes together to create wholly new sounds. My personal favorite is easily the 'Peg' by Steely Dan sample on Eye Know. Easily one of the best groups to ever do it in hip hop.

Some great and old school hip hop but so varied. No single song to push it to 5 but close

Cool, groovy, upbeat hip hop record. Really liked the vibe, looseness, chill feeling. Want to get into it again and get deeper into the lyrics. Glad I heard this one!

Engrossing, infectious, thoughtful. They weren't the only group doing such deep and seamless work with samples at the time but they were one of the best. 5/5

Hated the skits. Not a huge rap fan, but there were some good songs I enjoyed. 2/5 Still better than Getz/Gilberto. At least you could understand them.

It was. Okay. Not really my vibe. A lot of it reminded me of “Will Smith’s nice clean rap” and I couldn’t take it very seriously.

The guys obviously had fun and it feels like it's well made, but it's not my bag, baby. 3 Feet High and Rising? More like 6 Feet Low and Falling, by De La Damned. 👹

⭐️⭐️⭐️ I can imagine this was a bigger deal when it came out. Some of the beats sound a lot more fresh than I’d expect for 1989. Without knowing much about these guys, there’s seems to be a lot of passion in the album. I bet they had a blast in the recording studio. I digged a lot of the production, but I don’t love skit-heavy hip hop albums and this leans heavily into that. The skits are sometimes weaved into the progressions of the songs well enough, but they still halfway took me out. There are some highlights like Eye Know, Buddy, Me Myself and I, and Ghetto Thang, but some lowlights like the skits and De La Orgee (I don’t wanna listen to that shit ever again). Without the skits this might be a 4/5 for me.

This album is just full of whimsy, and that's what we need more of right now. I've heard of this group but I haven't heard this album until now. Most of the tracks are really good and I love the weird commentary game show tracks sprinkled throughout. But there were a few that musically I did not like at all, which really was a bummer. Overall it was enjoyable, though.

A classic hip-hop album, similarly to ATCQ, that tbh took me a while to get into. In my younger days it was firmly a bit 'soft' for me (cos I was well 'ard of course!), I was listening at the time to Cypress Hill, Wu-Tang, NWA et al. And even when my tastes started to mellow in the late 90s around J5 and Dilated Peoples, I still didn't really go back to this. At some point I did though, and it's hard to deny it... the production from Prince Paul brings excellent funky vibes and a cool , jazzy feel. I still haven't played it loads as it's only recently been introduced to streaming sites due to licensing issues but I've sporadically come back to it and I'm loving it right now!

Houmous & Chutney supported De La Soul for 35 seconds before the organisers cut the set and swapped the acts around. They never supported another act again! 4.2 14/23 Say No Go

Very few hip hop albums from the 80's and 90's still hold up. Lots of it sounds like a parody of itself at this point. The science and flow of rap just jumped so many rungs in the last 20 years. But not this one. Sure, this is "college" hip hop. Released as a Different World was on TV showing black college students. It felt intelligent and a breath of fresh air. It was fun, silly, and bright. No one gets murdered, there is no fake pretending to deal drugs or pimp. No misogynic lyrics. I will say, I hated the skits back in 1989, and I still hate them. But the rest is amazing.

The mix is bad and overall it is difficult to listen to.

Intro - 2.5/5 (3 Is) The Magic Number - 4/5 Change In Speak - 3.5/5 Cool Breeze on the Rocks - The Melted Version - 2/5 Can U Keep a Secret - 3/5 Jenifa Taught Me (Derwin's Revenge) - 4/5 Ghetto Thang - 3.5/5 Transmitting Live from Mars - 4.5/5 Eye Know - 5/5 Take It Off - 3/5 A Little Bit of Soap - 3.5/5 Tread Water - 3.5/5 Potholes in My Lawn - 4.5/5 Say No Go - 4/5 Do as De La Does - 3.5/5 Plug Tunin' (Last Chance to Comprehend) - 4/5 De La Orgee - 2/5 Buddy - 3/5 Description - 3.5/5 Me Myself and I - 5/5 This is a Recording 4 Living in a Fulltime ERA (L.I.F.E.) - 4/5 I Can Do Anything (Delacratic) - 3.5/5 D.A.I.S.Y. Age - 3/5

I could really have done without certain of the interludes but

muy divertido. top te quiero chenoa te quiero sazed

A little long, but fun

Strong album. It's nice to get a little positivity in the rap game every now and then. Highly enjoyable, the tune with the Steely Dan sample was outta sight.

Yeah I don't really know what to think about this one.

This album was a silly game show (literally). I find the idea very cool and hope it went as they had hoped it would! I enjoyed the ride, but the album itself just had a few highlights and the rest was alright. Favorite track was Eye Know.

Honestly, as cohesive this album is, and how timeless people say it is, I don’t mess with this. It seems to drain on and on and I only enjoyed a few of the songs. The game show skits were fun, but the orgy skit wasn’t (at all like why would they put that in there???). Anywho, this album didn’t do much, and when it did it was either pretty good during a few times, it was very silly, quirky, and you could tell they had a lot of fun with it. Overall Score: Light 4

Outstanding hip-hop. Fun and listenable, establishes a precedent for so many other artists. No wonder De La Soul is so highly respected.

I suspect me saying this will be a recurring theme: "I can recognize the skill and position of this music, but it's not really for me." Beastie Boys I think were like a strange phenomenon, whereas this is a much more intentional reversal of then-trends. A commentary of sorts. I'm basically just repeating the wikipedia article on that but what I mean is I can *tell that* just from hearing it and knowing when it was made, which makes it a very good commentary. The flow and rhythm of the vocals are smooth, there's a great groove on many of the tracks. But I was checking the album about halfway through and was like "wow that much left huh." Somehow it runs into a similar problem as Fiona Apple did for me, but for different reasons; a lot of the tracks blur for my ADHD brain with only a few standouts. Right now I got "Plug Tunin'" on as I write this specific sentence and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it, but at the same time it's like, wait, when did I get down to track 18...? A lot of it blurs together like that. Maybe repeated listens would help distinguish it but I don't feel motivated to do so. It's good, but not my stuff, yeah. Favorite Song: The Magic Number

obviously i have nothing but respect for the classic hardcore rap acts: schoolly d, krs-one, NWA et al. those guys all laid the groundwork for so much incredible art that came after them — you don't get all the rage artists around nowadays without the stuff those guys did. but i think i'm just too much of a softie to prefer it over the sunny loverboy backpacker rap like this. this album is really interesting because everything i've read about it post-listening seems to indicate that de la soul themselves kinda hated the response to it? they felt so hemmed-in by the response and the image that got impressed upon them after releasing it that their next record exists almost as a total rejection of that image. "the daisy age is over!" they say. which is such a shame because man, i sure do love the daisy age. at least there were a lot of other rap acts operating in this same space. are digable planets in this thing? they better be in this thing.

This may come as a surprise to some, but there was a period of my life where my musical diet was almost exclusively composed of hip-hop. Mostly West Coast, 90s artists, such as N.W.A. and 2pac, though plenty from the East, too. During that time, I never really listened to De La Soul. A friend linked me their later album, "De La Soul is Dead", and I put it on and only remember it washing over me without leaving a trace. I was a fan of other Native Tongues members, Black Sheep and A Tribe Called Quest, but for whatever reason, De La didn't quite land for me at the time. I think I have some idea of why now — even among that circle, they have a very 'laid back' sound, and their delivery is often austere and straightforward. My ears tend to want for something punchy to latch onto, like a very lush and active beat, or a particularly striking voice or rapping style, or lyrics either transgressive or simply angry enough as to be hard to ignore... and I do find myself having to maintain an active focus to stay engaged here, at times. Actually, listening to the final track, the original version of Plug Tunin', I find it much tighter than anything else on the record, and extremely catchy. It feels a lot more 'classic', like something from five years before this album came out, or perhaps even older... Maybe this is something of an 'unhappy middle' for my tastes. But... it's impossible to deny the smoothness of the flow here, the quality of the production... it's really a very fun album. If a bit long. I think that Posdnuos is my oshi. Favorite tracks: Ghetto Thang, Eye Know, Tread Water, Plug Tunin' (Original 12" Version)

This being given to us two days after Licensed to Ill is 80s hiphop hydrogen bomb vs coughing baby, for me. It's really cool listening to like, how exciting the genre must've been to be part of at the time, having evolved so much already with space for so many kinds of creativity at work. I was thinking it was dragging a bit by the late-middle but Me Myself and I brought me back. Later now, listening again to Me Myself and I, and watching the video for it, and I can't help but smile.

Kinda fun but not my kinda fun. Probably wouldn't revisit

Skits....what is the deal with rappers and skits. And this one is long. The Cymande sample is in the 25th Hours scene when they walk into the club. I remembered De La Soul had goofy lyrics, Can U Keep a Secret maybe pushes the envelope too far. This album is not good enough for me to totally overlook numerous skits, found sound in French and a run time of over an hour. Eye Know has more listens than Me, Myself and I. That is insane. Take It Off is another one that is just befuddling. The non-song tracks are so annoying. The late 80s were the era of unfettered sampling. I'm not loving this album. Plug Tunin' (Last Chance to Comprehend) is one of the better songs on the album. I would not have thought these guys would have a sex sounds skit. Dr. Dre, yes. De La Soul, no. Me, Myself and I is the best song on the album. This was a disappointing trip down memory lane. And it closes with the stupid sketch concluding.

Hip-Hop und Rap

This is a fun album and easy to listen to. It's very classic hip-hop and obviously some of these songs were huge hits. Wasn't crazy about the interludes but I respect this. Top Songs: The Magic Number, Me Myself and I, Say No Go

Mag ich, ist funny

Muah

All killer, some filler

Love this record. 4.5/5

Love this, all the hip hop on this list have been bangers so far

I can tell they were having fun, and the album was fun at times. However, it was way too loaded with skits and barely fleshed out 90 second tracks. I’m not sure why nearly every rapper thinks their rapping ability qualifies them to be a sketch comedian, but the skits bring down so many otherwise good albums. This one included; the fully fleshed out 3 minute plus songs were all pretty great.

The daisy age was the best period in rap. They sampled whatever the hell they wanted and it was cool. I mean they even sampled Ian Dury's What A Waste. How did 3 black kids from NYC in the late 80s even come across Ian Dury? There are a gajillion songs and about half of them are silly. Jorful and life affirming - not a bitch, a ho, a nigga in sight. Asses remain unmolested - with nary a cap popped in them. Their opinion on the police is unknown. Three is the magic number, yes it is!

It is magically that an album this funny, exciting, and lyrically dense can exist all in one project, it truly is a work of art. I think on relistens this album will fair a lot better with me but trying to catch every track felt like a bit of struggle and I think the album was just a tiny bit too long. I will be totally coming back to this album a lot in the future but for now these are my thoughts.

Meh, hip hop muy de su época

i liked this record, but didnt actively listen, just had it on in the background during my workday

It's sound good

It’s fun to listen to but doesn’t really offer anything

Phenomenal

Sorry what the fuck is the dandruff song? Lasagna heads? This is wild.

I struggled to get through this

I like it.. wouldn't go any further than that.

Yeah nah

Enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would

Unexpected fun truly a surprise

Vamos a ver que es esto .

I kinda disliked it.

5/10 The wonderful thing about hip hop is that within 20seconds of a track starting, you can tell if you will like it or not cos NOTHING CHANGES . Likewise with the whole bloomin album - and you can be sure you are in for a long one as these artists do not seem to believe in the self-edit. So this is ok, definitely one of the better examLes of the genre. The skits infuriate me, as to the really dumb tracks like De La Orgee (who enjoys listening to that??). But the ly released a plethora of decent singles from this and they are alright.

This just made me smile. So many great songs and lyrics. They clearly had a blast making this album together and it bleeds into everything about this. I love when an album isn't afraid to be silly at points, and I just enjoy having a laugh at the interludes. The rhymes are just great, what a classic hip hop record that just ages like fine wine. Only gripe is with '3 is the magic number', purely because I have heard it in every ad under the sun so it makes it hard to enjoy. That's not really the albums fault tbh. But it terms of music, the album is just over an hour, and at no point did I feel it drag or start to become overly repetitive. Fav Track: Buddy

Sampling a French listening exam had me rolling

I have never really liked R&B but I thought this album was fun

Great beats, sometimes the lyrics are juvenile

sample city oh my

Absolute classic

Hop hop Isn’t normally my thing but this album was just a few guys having some fun and making people smile- it certainly made me smile. It also made me ponder those questions. How many feathers on a Purdue chicken? I reckon about 350k How many fibres intwined on a shreddy? I reckon about 600. What does something mean.. I can’t even make it out slowed down… so I have no flipping idea 😂 How many times did the Batmobile catch a flag? No idea it caught flags- I’ll say 2 🤔 Anyway whilst I was thinking about those the album had finished and contestants had zero idea in the answers too.. But super fun. Fave song- change in speak. (Just beating ‘me, myself and I’) Least fave- description Fun feel good album but not all to my tastes so 7/10

De La Soul Perfect from the first second to the last. A fantastical collage of beats, samples, and lyrical dexterity that bounce out of speakers and into your heart. How can anyone not fall in love with this wonderful noise?! Too many highlights to mention, the album flows as a single aural Lord Mayor's Parade. But if I have to pick just the one track, I've always had soft spot for the coming of age innocence of Jenifa Taught Me 😊 No weak tracks but I suppose I can live without the one 'note' novelty that is De La Orgee. Can only be 10/10

Listens: 3 (plus a handful in the past) Standout Tracks: Potholes In My Lawn, Say No Go, Me Myself and I Literally just yesterday I had Arrested Development's 3 Years, 5 Months And 2 Days In The Life Of... and I ended my review saying that if I wanted to listen to (socially) conscious hip-hop, I'd have my choice to listen to any number of arguably better artists... including De La Soul, and lo and behold, what comes on the next day? 3 Feet High and Rising, possibly one of the funkiest, freshest albums to close out 1980s hip-hop. Good skits, never takes itself too seriously, while still largely staying clear of the gangsta rap sub-genre that would become so prominent in the 90s. All of the beats are SO GOOD. The only thing I could do without is the gratuitous orgy skit. I still listen to it; I respect the sanctity of the "album", but I want to skip it. It really doesn't add anything. Far and away, the best beat is on Me Myself and I. I can only assume such a fantastic beat is a sample from the funk era. WhoSampled shows several artists/albums that De La Soul sampled in the song, but I really don't care if its not original; its too good.

Haven’t got to the end of this. Not really doing it for me. 3

This is so much fun. I can’t imagine myself listening to it in my usual life but as an experience it was amazing, incredibly whimsical. Loved it quite a lot.

I just know too many albums that sound like this one.

Favorite songs: The Magic Number, Change in Speak, Transmitting Live from Mars, Eye Know, Say No Go, Me Myself and I

reading about how influential this album is really took it up a notch for me, but it's still at times kind of (charmingly) awkwardly 80s. not my usual outing when it comes to hiphop, but i do really admire the more positive attitude of the album, it is silly and very fun

Listening session: may 1st, while commuting to internship Listened to before: listened to a few songs many times Thoughts: I’ve always really liked a few De La Soul songs, but I’ve never actually listened to this album in total. I liked this just as I expected, hiphop with groovy instrumentals, and this album is an undeniable classic in the hiphop scene Favourite tracks: (3 is) The Magic Number, Buddy & Me Myself and I

Classic

De La are legend

Fun listen. I will not revisit this whole album, but there are some solid songs on here. It is a very good late 1980s hip hop album. 7.75/10 Top song Eye know

Some Good songs - But too repetetiv for me ..

YES

3 stars

pretty solid

Solid!

The music is good but the skits are so juvenile haha. I overall liked the beats and samples used as well as their abilities as rappers

This was pretty good!

pretty interesting album!

Nice Old school Hip-Hop!

It’s a fun hip hop record, with some really cool samples. A Steely Dan sample in a hip hop song is not what I had on my bingo card. However, I just can’t get into this old hip-hop. It just sounds so dated and of a specific time period. Just not quite for me.

Owned. Smooth, funky, fresh.

Instant five stars from me. This is one of my favorite albums period. I enjoyed them when I was younger and when they hit streaming recently I told everyone then listened to this album so much I was one of their top listeners according to YouTube Music. I'm in the bag for this album. I also own their book. So this is legitimately one of the best hip hop albums recorded. The mix is great, their flow is amazing and they sample so much it's amazing. It also kept them off streaming services forever. It's a fun, light hearted album that still feels grounded. I've been told it's a concept album as it came out as more hardcore rap was gaining popularity and they went more weird with it. I swear they had so much fun making this you feel it when listening to it. It just puts a smile on your face. Give a listen to their most recent album Cabin in the Sky, feels a lot like this one. RIP Trugoy

Solid hip hop album.

3.75. The actual songs are good, the skits and bits, not so much. Did streaming kill skits on hip hop albums or are they still doing them?

Definitely a groundbreaking album. It was easy to feel how much fun these guys were having while recording this.

2.75 - I don't love it. It seems very corny. I almost gave it 1 star because I read that it popularized putting skits in between tracks on albums.

A fun and funky album.

Not my taste, I can't appreciate it as much as I wish I could. Seemed fun and playful.

Great. Trying to get more into old school hip hop

Couldn't finish the whole album since I listened to it during the school day but oh my goodness it was amazing

This is comfort listening for anyone past a certain age. While it's true that some of the flows feel antiquated and some of the lyrics might feel "corny" to younger audiences raised on harder edged hip hop (or duller edged mumble rap) the beats are undeniable, and the album just generally radiates an exuberance that's we could all use. The album is too long with far too many tracks (a function of broader CD bloat at that moment in music), and the skits are kind of dumb, but I enjoyed this album a ton. Beats on Can You Keep a Secret and The Magic Number are total joy.

Fantastic old-school hip-hop. Just a lot of fun.

Hell yeah used to love this one mang

I really enjoyed this album, but it ran a little long and I felt like there was a lot of filler they probably could have edited out.

Gente? Que visão diferente pro hiphop! Escutei meio confusa mas até metade do álbum gostei e entendi a vibe, com um ritmo diferenciado pro hiphop da época, foi algo que escutando, mesmo com diferentes sons hoje em dia, sinto estranhamento. Trouxe a inovação de contar histórias em faixas curtas com diálogos (pro que hoje em dia vemos artistas utilizarem MUITO) o que lembra estações de rádio! Achei divertido em alguns momentos por essa característica. Vi também que usaram muitos samples e que só em 2023 que foi lançado em plataformas oficiais (ah e eles são mais reconhecidos pela música Feel Good, participação em Gorillaz e risada e de um deles!). As faixas que mais curti foram “Ghetto Thang”, “Eye Know” e “Me Myself and I”. 3 Feet High and Rising me pegou de surpresa, desprevenida, não digo que foi uma boa escuta, escutei, estranhei, parei e voltei e só metade do álbum depois curti um pouco, mas nada que me faça exaltar o estilo ou jeito que foi feito, sinto que misturaram misturaram e saiu algo, mas não tão notável pra ser um álbum nessa lista.

Bra! Massor med låtar jag har minnen till: (3 is) The Magic Number (inte bara för operatören 3s jobbiga grej), Eye Know, Me Myself and I och Say No Go. Gillar verkligen De La Soul.

One of the unique sound of my university life, a wonderfully creative approach to sampling - zeppelin, steely dan, hall and Oates - and a refreshing alternative to the political and gangster scene. Probably a bit too long overall but it works as a unified piece with its tv/ radio show type intro and outro.

No hip hop,

It's a fun album. Felt it ran a bit long though. 3/5.

I don't think I'd listen again, but I was surprised how much I liked it.

Album 175. 3 Feet High and Rising (https://open.spotify.com/album/34LxHI9x14qXUOS8AWRrYD?si=D8fPzoZfSQmkCDaZvEd4Zw) — De La Soul (1989) Fun, goofy and playful hip-hop album. Just a fucking around kind of album. Not exactly what I like, but it's cool too. Some songs, like Eye Know, are fucking legends. There are so many great samples... By the way quite similar in style to A Tribe Called Quest. 4/5 Liked: — (3 Is) The Magic Number — Ghetto Thang — Eye Know — Buddy — D.A.I.S.Y Age

I got this album for my 12th following the release of Magic Number and therefore I have a strong personal attachment to it, luckily it is a great album. A few years back they played a festival in the park opposite my house and gave me the opportunity to enjoy the classic De La line-up before the tragic loss of Dove. I love the laid back style of hip hop De La provide and Magic Number is the perfect intro into this musical journey. This album generally just makes me feel happier. I loved the beats, the samples, the scratching, even the skits are a fun sideshow. Eye Know is a perfect hip hop song. Sooooo catchy. Tread Water raises the fun levels even further “I’m Mr Mon-key”

I liked this. There were songs I already knew (“The Magic Number”, “Eye Know”, and “Me Myself and I”), which still sound great and are the standouts. I’m not sure the rest of the album reaches the heights of the best known tracks, but it is still coherent (if a bit too long). Some are absolute ear worms too, like “Potholes in my Lawn.” This is probably a 3.5* album for me, but I’m a sucker for well-used samples. That, alongside the strength of the well known songs, and the fact that this is a great album to listen to on a warm, Spring day, means I’m rounding up.

I really enjoyed this (minus certain skits). I've said it a few times during this project, but I was previously unaware until I did this project how much I appreciate this era of rap and hiphop. I love the use of sampling that the 80s and early 90s had, and this album is an excellent example of that. So many funk and soul hooks! I already knew the singles that got big in the UK (3 Is The Magic Number, Eye Know and Me Myself and I) but nothing else. I could have done without the creepy whispering about dandruff (Can U Keep A Secret) and the orgy skit, sorry the "orgee" skit, but otherwise I had a great time listening to this and would absolutely listen to it again. 4/5

70s soul foundation that builds a soundstage effortlessly (for the most part.. the skits are somewhat distracting). Just play these --> 3 Is, Mars, Eye, Soap, Say No, Buddy, Me Myself and I.. that is the pure rotation buddy. Word.

3 out of 5. This was a fun album, definitely for parties.

Joyous!

Goes on a bit. But when it’s great, it’s great.

Postmodern masterpiece

Love the production on this: energetic, inventive, fun. The rhymes suit it perfectly. Can hear the influence on my favourite hip-hop from the following decades like Wu Tang, MF Doom… Just too much skit-ery for a full score 🥲

Absolutely love the songs here, but a few too many skits in my opinion prevent it from 5 stars

Me ENCANTÓ, la musica una locura, samples de la concha de la lora. Me encanta cuando un album tiene una narrativa, un hilo conductor bien marcado. Que las canciones se puedan escuchar independientemente pero que la experiencia de escuchar el album completo y junto tenga un plus. Le pondría un 4ymedio pero no puedo asi que me quedo con el 4.

Favorite Track: Eye Know Least Favorite Track: De La Orgee

Decent hiphop album, the skits are horrible as usual. Quite good for an early hiphop album High 3*/5

A very fun album with great sample work. I know a lot of people complain about the skits, but I didn't mind them. My only problem with this album, is that I started to feel the length towards the end of it. I think this album could have benefitted from being 10 - 15 minutes shorter. Still a great album though. Low 5.

Sounds like the orgee went well.

Like others who reviewed this, its a fun album. However, with how high it's rated I thought it would hit harder. It's more like a fun concert you'd go to once.

Arent these guys just one big ray of sunshine

(3 is) the magic Number

Classic hip/hop, I really don’t connect with this album

Still yet to figure out why I love some hip-hop and am more lukewarm on others. This is one of the latter because it didn't draw me in.

I've liked this since it came out. A fun and funny and lovely album.

More hip-hop albums should be fun and whimsical. I think this album was a fun little listen, full of skits and silly messages.

Super fun album.

Joyaaaaaaa, me encantó

Very fun old school hip hop

I loved this when it came out, but it's too long and has some annoying skits.

Genial para hacer scrapbooking

Such a clever, unique, innovative album. The production is outstanding. This still sounds so fresh over 35 years later.

The skit quality lets down what is an icon of Hip-Hop. It's your uncles favourite rap album.

Fav song: Jenifa Taught Me

1. Me Myself and I 2. Say No Go 3. (3 Is) The Magic Number

Forgot how freaking good De La is. Listened to more Tribe growing up so fun to hear Q-tip on this with jungle brothers too!

Ikke så vild med åbningsnummer, men Change in Speak BANGER, perfekt flow og beat. Det er sjovt, hvordan hip hop bare kunne være snak hen over beatet i 90'erne f.eks. på tread water. Beats som disse bliver bare ikke produceret længere, de er også 'vigtigere' i den forstand, der bare kan være pauser i rappen, der tvinger en til at sidde og lytte til en lille variation i beatet eller lidt scratch eller whatever. Der er god tid, det er cool med cool på. Me Myself and I slapper også alt for hårdt, kæmpe skifte fra resten af albummet føles det som, så er der fest. Der er mange highlights men også et par middel sange ind imellem. Jeg kan ikke komme op på 5, men det er en stærk 4.

Det bliver nok aldrig et album, jeg rigtig kommer til at synes om. Og så kan det være på alle de Top 50-lister, det overhovedet har lyst til - det kommer aldrig på min. I min optik er det ikke engang deres eget bedste album. Der er selvfølgelig nogle bangers, flowet er undeniable og produktioner er generelt crazy - men det er også her, der simpelthen er noget ekstremt irriterende. For eksempel 'Tread Water': hvor er det enerverende at høre på det der *tread water*-sample, der kører i baggrunden. Der er sgu også nogle af de her interludes, der er så wack - Do as De La Does for eksempel. Overall er det desværre et album, der faktisk fjerner lidt interesse for De La Soul for mig - det tager mere, end det giver. Det er sigende, at det bedste nummer på albummet er Buddy, og det skyldes, at Q-Tip er med på nummeret. 2.3 do better

This has a sweetness and playfulness to it, something wholesome and old school, this sounds like people playing and genuinely having a great time together making music. Has some phenomenally fun beats and loops that must have been painstakingly made before modern tech was possible. SO fun

HipHop, Rap,1989->2

Funky, very 80s

good lyrics, too many interludes

It was fine. Probably on the list b/c of its importance.

Brilliant

3 is a magic number ringetone kommer fra et af numrene. men ikke lige min kop te, lidt sjove.

I like this corner of rap with Tribe. These tracks were decent the only thing I really hated was the orgy skit or whatever that was supposed to be.

Gran álbum de Rap, te eleva la energía y te dan ganas de moverte. No conozco a los artistas, pero tienen pinta de ser pioneros en la cultura.

Bem diferente, me lembra MFDOOM, n sei se esse estilo seria HipHop ou algo do tipo. Adorei a Capa, bem colorida. Teve várias músicas q gostei, e várias q achei uma merda, acho q essa é a graça, talvez eles tentaram ser mais experimentaris. Achei mto legal q ele tem uma narrativa.

A classic in Hip Hop for a reason. It's many distinct styles of music are well developed in many different tracks but still felt repetitive at times. As a start into Jazz Rap and alt rap its perfect

Fun album! Favourite song: Me, Myself & I

I saw one review that referred to this album as "the Sgt. Pepper of hip hop" and that's actually spot on. While I don't fully (or at all) resonate with the black experience, I fully appreciate the artistry and genius that I just absorbed. Such a great record.

wished the popularity it had was longer

I’m sure I listened to some De La Soul years ago when I was listening to old school hip hop during a phase. Don’t remember much so this will feel brand new. Old school hip hop with jazzy energy. In the same world as A Tribe Called Quest, except maybe less straightforward. Feels more experimental. It’s a fun listen. Songs go right into each other without losing a step or beat. Some of the old school samples are great. This era of hip hop feels so fun. Eye Know might be my favorite song on the album. Just a jam. It doesn’t exactly drag, but it is a little bit bloated at times. I don’t find the skits to be annoying and they’re short, but always feel unnecessary to me in all rap albums. Just a fun sound. I think it’s a solid 4, although its length makes the last few tracks feel like too much. Thought about going down to 3. Wish it was a little more concise. Tough because it’s a fun listen but felt too long.

This album is not for me but I can understand why other people love it. It’s well done and fun, just not my genre.

One of my favorite hip hop albums

bastante consistente en el ratio de bangers y expresando muy autenticamente lo que es el hip hop de la costa este, muy divertido y bien producido como era de esperar Yo llevaba pensando wow que parecido es el flow de De La Soul al de Q-Tip y de la nada apareció rapeando con el lol?? 8/10

Great album, tremendous

Curioso

The best songs on this are brilliant, playful, tuneful classics like The Magic Number, Eye Know, Buddy and Me, Myself and I. But it's around an hour long and the skits between some of the songs don't work for me that brings it down from around 3.5 to a 3 star album. Listen to the highlights here, not the whole slightly bloated thing.

a quiet giant of 90s hip hop

didn't love this at the time, there's some great (if played out) singles but found it quite trying at times

Fun from start to finish.

Forgotten how good that album is … but I still don’t like the skits: amusing enough the first time, but after that I usually think they interfere with the flower of the music

one of the albums of all time

Little unhinged and fun!

Not my vibe, but I get that people love it

My only bit of familiarity of de la soul was from Superfast jellyfish and Feel Good Inc by Gorillaz, so I had no idea what this album was going to be like. Honestly, it was surprisingly good. I kinda liked its more positive sounding tone and sense of humour compared to other rap albums I have listened to. I definitely see how this would influence 90s hip hop bands such as Public Enemy. I like the progressive jazzy structure that this album uses, it almost feels like the hip hop equivalent of a frank zappa album. I should listen to more hip hop and rap albums like this in future.

De la orgee was unnecessary I won’t lie

No es para mi simplemente Pd:aguante spidrrman

Del 89. Buen álbum.

True classic. Have always known about DLS, but never listened to an album in full. Huge fan!

난 힙합이 싫어 노래라기보단 효과음?처럼 들으면 나름 들을 만함 17번째 트랙에선 교미하고 있어서 역시나 굉장히 불미스러움

Lot of ups and downs with this album. The skits didn't really hit for me at all, but then a good song. Then a bad song. Then a bad skit. Then good song. Repeat.

This was a fun album. I liked it.

not a fan of the gameshow thingy but the actual songs are nice

Me gustó mucho, un poco largo pero re copado

Great

these late 80's and early 90's hip hop albums are so goofy. Like Can U Keep A Secret talking about everybody having dandruff and Dante is a scrub is just so absurd and silly only to have serious topics talked about in other tracks. I get the genre was going through changes and finding its footing so I shouldnt be too hard on them, but I think there's a reason you dont hear about De La Soul as often as you do other hip hop pioneers, despite them contributing quite a bit. At the end of the day its fun, great beats, great samples, great lyricism, it just stumbles a little on the way.

This is a weird album. On one hand there’s a lot of elements I like about it. The sampling is phenomenal, the rhymes are great and many of the songs are catchy classics. On the other hand it’s corny, unfunny and cringey as hell at points (looking at you De La Orgee). The hits definitely elevate it but I get why I never got super into De La Soul. They’re just trying so hard to be funny and it falls flat every time. 90s hip hop albums and awful skits… name a more iconic duo

Commercially successful rap album (1989) with several hits. This is a fantastic debut album. Pitchfork: 10.0 Rolling Stone: Top 500 Albums #103 Best Songs (3 Is) The Magic Number Eye Know Say No Go Buddy Me Myself and I

fire

I’m not a rap fan but I was excited to listen to this album because it has a reputation for being a classic. Unfortunately it fell flat for me. More repetitive, uninteresting music. I’ve never heard a group that likes to name drop their own group name more than this. This was a slog and a chore to get through.

Refreshingly different on its release and still holds up reasonably well.

This is a great hip-hop album. The songs all have a fun exterior wrapped around something real at it's core. The beats and production are fantastic. While the sounds is of its time, it still holds up. A classic for a reason.

A nice sunny album , probably on the cheesy side

+ cool, chill, groove - too much talking. My hip-hop problem: it's too distracting for me to do anything else while listening to super words-forward music -- .... especially once it got onto the orgy track, and then 'buddy' after that, and... etc. Dug the grooves, it's great. In songs like "This is a Recording", I'm good and not distracted and really dig it. But then the interstitial skits especially, but also many of the songs, they're a Weird Al level of 'bits', and I find it hard to listen to. And then it gets back to sick grooves. I'm reminded of Tool albums with the interstitial filler tracks which are neat for the vibe, but I find them annoying and distracting and usually end up skipping them, so find those albums to be the rare ones I struggle to listen straight through. This feels like one of those. ("This is a recording!") "I can hold two pieces of doo-doo in my hand!" ... yeah, hard to have on in the background while I work, or hanging out with folks, or party, or etc. Maybe fun while driving, or it being the thing everyone's laughing about, but not just 'in the background'. I get how it could be good for hang vibes, it grooves, we chill, and then there's a funny bit. But still, bit-heavy music is hard for me.

these guys seem pretty whimsical i wish i was there

Really don't like this one. It's a bit all over the place and feels quite childish. Worst one on the list for me so far. 2/10

Creativo, diferente

Listened previously. Expectations: High - Verdict: Very Good - Where the previous album was hard-edged and direct, this is bouncy and light. A very fun album. Generally I don't mind skits but this is a little heavy on them. Eye Know is a great track. Everything on here is quite good but it never reaches a mind-blowing level that it is sometimes credited with. Clearly it's a very good album but it doesn't quite reach all-time great level.

2.5

Not my style, could be worse had some decent beats though.

прифанкованный хип-хоп для подростков эры расцвета.жанра

Not my kind of thing. There were a few songs that I've tagged to listen to again, but all in all, it wasn't for me.

Pure Joy! It would be fun to compile a list of "1001 albums to listen to you before you die" based on the artists/songs sampled in this album.

Cheerful, but I didn't really get into it.

Kinda fun at times, but not something I'd regularly listen to.

3.5 Refreshingly unserious, you can see how crazy influential these guys were

Heard Before? Yes. Notes: - SKITS = BAD. no exceptions. no excuses. - beats are stellar and sample selection is consistently amusing and often thrilling. i found myself using whosampled.com repeatedly. - flows lack variety, but that's true of all rap of this vintage. - lyrics are fun and clever, even if they rarely made me laugh. more attempts at seriousness than i remembered, and rather successful i think. Verdict: Arguably outdone by later De La Soul and some of their many imitators, but very much worth my time, as long as i skip the skits. Listen Again? Certain songs, yes! But a big no to the whole album.

It was okay

Wow, this was fun!

Awesome sample-based beats that draw on quite an eclectic variety of sources. A quirky and fun listen from classic hip-hop history.

(6/7) these guys sound like they have a lot of fun

This era of hip hop is hard not to like. I could probably listen to this on repeat all day, but I've never found myself drawn to it like I might be drawn to A Tribe Called Quest records.

A classic! Not writing much because I know it well.

This really is a great hip-hop album! Awesome debut from an IG and innovative group.

Sounds pretty actual given that is almost 40 years old. I can not give it more than two stars anyways I am sorry.

Delightful

Whoa, what a crazy record to have as a debut! 3 Feet High and Rising showcases De La Soul’s chops, lyrically, mentally and musically. For a debut album this really sets the bar high, at least 3 Feet High and Rising. -TomB

This album totally hits as a high point for the Golden Age of hip hop. It's like a trip through the D.A.I.S.Y. Age, all positivity, laughs, and super cool sampling. They throw in everything from Steely Dan to yodeling, the production is a genius mix of everything. It's chill and fun, proof that three friends having a blast can make magic. Some might say the skits are a bit much, but tracks like "Me Myself and I" and "Eye Know" make up for it. It's a bummer it was stuck off streaming for so long, but it still sounds amazing. It's more than just an album; it's a warm, funky, and brilliant piece of music history that you absolutely HAVE to hear.

fun album

Only got about halfway through. Pretty good but not really my thing.

Fire hip hop

I really like De La Soul, but I'm not usually in the mood to listen to an album's worth of De La Soul. Some of the hits I was familiar with on this album were here, some nice new ones to me and some interludes that were definitely better forgotten.

I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, the actual songs were all pretty good. Great bars and good rhythms. I hated most the skits and that weird orgee track. Just made me uncomfortable tbh.

music is love

Absolute high point of my hip hop experience. Seminal in helping me shape what I love about rap and samples at a time when I was just figuring it out. This and Fear are essential records for me. Love it so much.

I absolutely love the out of pocket samples and the hands on Prince Paul production. I don't love having an album pushing 30 tracks, but it doesn't hurt the overall feel.

Meh

Some of the songs in isolation are great. I thought I'd like this album more than I have

Larguísimo. Demasiado. Seguramente para la época muy importante. Hoy no me generó nada. 4/10

Kinda fun. Maybe a tad corny

again never thought id like this kind of music. The rhythm is tight, vocals and its flow push the song forward

8.5/10

We all need to remember we need A Little Bit of Soap. Hands down a fun album mixed with good vibes and silly skits.

This album was very entertaining. The intro was hilarious, and I like that they kept the skit going through throughout the album. These guys are masters of sampling, so there are always several musical tidbits per song that are fun to dissect. This style of rapping, the flow and cadence, is a bit outdated, but I still much prefer their lyricism to many modern rappers. It feels like De La is using the language to its fullest much more than some rappers today, even if the flows may sound a little corny. This album has a lot of character.

Awww, yehhhhhhhhh! I've had this album since it first came out, and I'm tempted to say it sounds even better (to me) now. What an amazing outpouring of creativity and positivity. Also humor, and groovy cool(ness). Maybe what makes it even more . . . accessible (for me) now is that hip hop is no longer so new, and so I'm better able to appreciate it (I no longer need to acclimate)? I wonder if it sounds kind of dated to you 2 (since it's older than you both)? The way that you hear it must (I think) inevitably be a little different from how I hear it. And not just because I'm already familiar with it; also because hip hop was already here, when y'all came on the scene. The reason I bought the album, back in 1989? "Me, Myself, and I" -- I loved that song instantly, and still do. Other standouts: "The Magic Number" (of course I'd love that one), and "Eye Know." But the whole album is a happy, funky, groovy (in both senses) psychedelic trip. I even like the cover art. ;) 5 stars? yehhhhh, boy-ee!

very fun listen. the funniest record I've heard on this list so far, topping College Dropout. It reminds me of the Beatles White Album for the humor and because I could have done without some parts. Difficult one for me to rate because it isn't quite what I like to listen to, although it did spark some interest in Hip-Hop for me. I found the flows enjoyable even though I usually don't like them from this period. I'm going with a strong 3 - 7/10 territory. Its casualness is both good and bad

Hey guys! We RAP! and every line RHYMES! There's a song about HYDRATION! we were cool.... In our TIME Two stars. Won't listen to it again

Classic for a reason! Unbelievable that this came out in 1989, cuz it still sounds so fresh. I had thought that this came out the same year as the Dream Warrior's first album, but apparently their first album came out in 91. Regardless, it's so good to hear hip-hop that's fun and not all gangsta.

its like a 3.7 but the skits take it down. sorry i know its quirky!

Samples plus samples plus samples as well as some samples. 3.9/5

Some like classic rap, I enjoyed it. Seems like it had some important themes and messages, wish I had more time to delve into it.

lowkey kinda lit

I don't smoke weed. Maybe if I did then this would be alright.

It's fine. I don't think I'd listen again, but maybe. It is a pretty funny album, but nothing that I want to really come back to.

I always liked De La Soul pretty good…or, I guess more accurately, I always liked this record pretty good; I’ve never heard any of their other records. But, this record is pretty classic hip hop. I always appreciated that they kind of seemed to do their own thing. This record is catchy and goofy and unassuming. I wish there were more like it. 8.5/10

Just a really fun and goofy album, and the beats and sampling are great. Although an hour long, the album doesn't get boring and most of the songs go by rather easily (except for De La Orgee of course). There are some weaker tracks here and there but this doesn't affect the final score too much.

Lots of brights spots on this album, but plenty of imperfections -- too long, lots of frustrating talking in between tracks, and lots of songs I'd probably skip in the future. One of those albums that I'd maybe change my tune on for the positive in the future though.

I dig this album more than my Mamma's lasagna, it's so excellent!

Their debut album. Hip Hop. The humour and delivery style are great. Funky beats and fun to listen to. Decent production too. The skits are kind of lame in 2026 but I can get past that. This is definitely one of the most important and best Hip Hop albums ever.

Great hip-hop album, really fun listening. (3 Is) The Magic Number was my fav song and fav first listen of the album with Plug Tunin' (Last Chance To Comprehend) and Me Myself and I as my other highlights

I was ready to give this 5 stars but it's nothing like I remember. The highs are up there, but a lot felt like filler. This makes me so sad.

A joy from start to finish.

Tror detta ver den första hiphop jag verkligen hörde och jag hade inte behövt höra nån mer. Den har allt! Det kommer aldrig göras en bättre hipjopplatta

Färgglad och blommig hiphop, inte bara på omslaget. Rätt kul att lyssna på, flera bra samplingar. Men det balanserar på en fin gräns där det ibland går över till att kännas lite för plojigt. Och förstås, den vanliga hiphop-sjukan med för långt album. Bästa spår: Ghetto thang, Eye know, Say no go, Buddy

Småtrevlig oldschool hiphop. Inget mästerverk men klart lyssningsvärt även om skivan kunde kortats ned en del. T ex borde naturligtvis skits vara förbjudna.

Det spelar ingen rollen för mig hur annorlunda de lät då i förhållande till annan hiphop. Det låter idag mest som trams som inte underhåller mig. Det först när jungle brothers och q-tip gästar som det lyfter något. Klart roligare än Dover, men ändå inte mer än godkänt.

Cool

It was fun, but didn't keep my interest.

Such a great album

Middle school memories

Great Hiphop classic!

Wish they still made this kind of thing.

Mariguana + mente musical = maravillas

I just couldn't get into this one, at all!

On paper this sounds like exactly the kind of thing I'd like, but it didn't really hit for me. The hooks are good enough, but the lyrics are only OK and the jokey parts haven't stood the test of time (to be fair any skits on rap or hip hop albums are always pretty bad). Overall I was surprised to find this pretty boring

Uncool

Great classic hip hop album! Love me some de la soul