← Back to the dial
De La Soul
📷 Matti Hillig · CC BY-SA 3.0

▸ Artist · 1989–1989

De La Soul

1 song in the crate.

🎧 Ask the DJ about De La Soul

In memoriam — members we've lost

The Story

Formed1987OriginUnited StatesGenrehip-hop, jazz rap, alternative hip-hopLabelBig Life, Tommy Boy RecordsMembersKelvin Mercer, David Jude Jolicoeur, Vincent Mason

In a world where hip-hop was often a monolithic beat, De La Soul burst onto the scene like a refreshing breeze, blending jazz-infused rhythms with playful, offbeat lyrics. Hailing from the vibrant village of Amityville on Long Island, this trio of high school friends—Kelvin Mercer, David Jolicoeur, and Vincent Mason—redefined the genre by embracing eclectic sampling and a spirit of creativity that set them apart from their peers. Their track "Me Myself and I" remains a testament to their innovative style, merging an alternative hip-hop sensibility with a unique jazz rap flair. With roots deeply planted in the East Coast hip-hop scene, De La Soul continues to resonate, reminding us all that music is as much about individuality as it is about rhythm, leaving an indelible mark on the tapestry of hip-hop history.

By The Liner Notes · facts via Wikidata & Wikipedia.

Facts via Wikidata (CC0).

🎟️ Admit One

Ticket Trail

Find the setlist. Save the memory.

No.
8989

Trying to remember what they played when you saw De La Soul back in the day? Jump to Setlist.fm to search real historical setlists, then come back and save the memory.

Search historical setlists on Setlist.fm.

Were you there?

Setlist searches open on Setlist.fm. G33Z3R does not host or verify external setlist data.

🛍️ Get the De La Soul merch

Affiliate links: as an Amazon Associate and an 80sTees affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Details

Me Myself and I
De La Soul
1989

📼 De La Soul by decade

📺 Heard on these vibes

📀 More like De La Soul

Songs from the same scenes, sound, and era — by other artists.

Sabotage
Beastie Boys
1994
Insane in the Brain
Cypress Hill
1993
They Want EFX
Das EFX
1992
It Was a Good Day
Ice Cube
1992
U Can't Touch This
MC Hammer
1990
Slam
Onyx
1993

What does De La Soul remind you of?

The drive, the dance, the heartbreak, the summer. Add a memory of De La Soul.

💭 No rules — but if you’re stuck: what was on TV · what you were eating · the movie it brings back · who you were with

💜 Memories are kept forever — they live on this artist’s wall. You can delete yours anytime.

Community Memories