De La Soul Is Dead

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
De La Soul burned out on their own hype fast, and their dark, strange second album is a counter-blast to their image and hip-hop culture: perverse, dissatisfied, sometimes brilliant, sometimes out of control. Occasionally it seems mean-spirited--the single "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" finds them grousing about getting deluged by demo tapes, and "Kicked Out The House" is a nasty (if very funny) parody of hip-house. But no one's ever made a rap album that sounds like this. Sickly out-of-tune loops drift in and out; songs derail themselves with loud sneers, or give way to bizarre dialogues; Posdnuos and Trugoy chant together like the words have lost all meaning. The concept that ties the disc together---an imaginary radio station called WRMS--gives it an extra kick. --Douglas Wolk

De La Soul Is Dead,De La Soul,Tommy Boy,Alternative Rap,East Coast Rap,Golden Age,Hip-Hop,Pop,Rap,Rap & Hip-Hop

De La Soul Is Dead

De La Soul Is Dead
De La Soul Is Dead
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Hip Hops Only Schizophrenic Self-Diss Concept Album
  • Love this album, twenty years later
  • Favorite Rap Album of Mine!!!
  • 10 stars
  • Another Hip Hop Classic from De La Soul
 De La Soul Is Dead
De La Soul
Manufacturer: Rhino / Ada
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

East CoastEast Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
Experimental RapExperimental Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
Pop RapPop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
Rhino RecordsRhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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  5. Beats, Rhymes and Life

ASIN: B000000HHR
Release Date: 1991-05-13

Tracks:

  1. Intro
  2. Oodles Of O's
  3. Talkin' Bout Hey Love
  4. Pease Porridge
  5. Skit 1
  6. Johnny's Dead Aka Vincent Mason (Live From The BK Lounge)
  7. A Roller Skating Jam Named 'Saturdays'
  8. WRMS' Dedication To The Bitty
  9. Bitties In The BK Lounge
  10. Skit 2
  11. My Brother's A Basehead
  12. Let, Let Me In
  13. Afro Connections At A Hi 5 (In The Eyes Of The Hoodlum)
  14. Rap De Rap Show
  15. Millie Pulled A Pistol On Santa
  16. Who Do U Worship?
  17. Skit 3
  18. Kicked Out The House
  19. Pass The Plugs
  20. Not Over Till The Fat Lady Plays The Demo
  21. Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)
  22. WRMS: Cat's In Control
  23. Skit 4
  24. Shwingalokate
  25. Fanatic Of The B Word
  26. Keepin' The Faith
  27. Skit 5

Amazon.com essential recording

De La Soul burned out on their own hype fast, and their dark, strange second album is a counter-blast to their image and hip-hop culture: perverse, dissatisfied, sometimes brilliant, sometimes out of control. Occasionally it seems mean-spirited--the single "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" finds them grousing about getting deluged by demo tapes, and "Kicked Out The House" is a nasty (if very funny) parody of hip-house. But no one's ever made a rap album that sounds like this. Sickly out-of-tune loops drift in and out; songs derail themselves with loud sneers, or give way to bizarre dialogues; Posdnuos and Trugoy chant together like the words have lost all meaning. The concept that ties the disc together---an imaginary radio station called WRMS--gives it an extra kick. --Douglas Wolk

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Hip Hops Only Schizophrenic Self-Diss Concept Album.......2007-04-01

Back in 1989, a new tidal wave of music was cascading along the shores. The sounds of the Native Tongues were staking their claim as alternative rap pioneers. The world of hip hop would never be the same after "3 Feet High and Rising" which is considered by many as the greatest hip hop album to ever drop. However, being taunted by people as the hippies of hip hop, De La did something artisticly bold. Plagued by labels, due to their visual of flowers on "3 Feet High's" cover art, De La Soul killed their 'pyschadelic image' by illustrating a pot of dead daisies on their sophomore effort. Suddenly, "De La Soul Is Dead" showed a edgier dark side that flew over heads of the buying public and disallowed critics to really put a finger on it.

"De La Soul Is Dead" was a record attacking ignorance and gangsta posturing. The record starts off with a pack of goons who roughs up a young kid with a copy of the De La Soul tape and then they pop the tape in and harshly criticize each song at certain intervals. At the end of the record they throw the tape in the garbage stating, "no guns, no cursing; that's what rap music is all about...RIGHT". Although the album contains little profanity the message is loud and clear on the hardcore parody of "Afro Connections At The Hi 5". This is an underappreciated gem. De La calls in to question of all the acts who changed their sound to be grittier claiming they, "fell the FU-- OFF". Posdunous mockingly says, "now I hold my crotch because I'm top notch".

The album is not nearly enjoyable without the man behind the boards. Prince Paul is the mad scientist of hip hop, orchestrating a collage of samples that has yet to be duplicated. The albums first song "Oodles of O's" (a highlight on a classic album) has a dischordant loop that is endlessly catchy. The loopy bassline is like the hook and your attention is the bait and you can't help but get hooked and nod your head to this. "Peas Porridge" ranks amongst Prince Pauls best beats as De La Soul talks in witty double speak. Again, the song is broken up by people who trash De La Souls reputation. Maseo claims, "why do people think just because we speak peace we can't blow no joints" (I-I-I Don't Know). The most lighthearted jam has to be the single "Roller Skating Jam Called Saturday" which had a friend of mine mezmerized recently (especially with the 'Greece' sample thrown in the middle of the song)! "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" was actually an unlikely choice for the lead single. The upbeat production seemed cheery enough but the groups frustration with being burdened around third-rate demos was harsh to say the least. It is an incredibly playful song which got the group in copyright troubles. "Pass The Plugs" had many people flocking to YouTube to check out the hype around the Posdunous line, "Arsenio dissed us but the crowd kept clappin' when Arsenio dissed them before their performance on the show.

Prince Pauls beats and the lyrics from "De La Soul Is Dead" have been sampled over and over again. You will be amazed at all of the fragments and ideas that came from this. On top of that, the record contains the greatest album liner note ever. Maseo states, "To the Amittyville community: you are the ones who say when people like us get successful we never come back to contribute to our community. Well we came to you on so many occasions and, in so many words, you said 'f--- De La Soul" and now I'm saying "f--- you"! Fitting with the albums theme it is a statement on people who pigeon hole rap as stagnated music failing to realize that it evolves from the same epicenter of other genres. "De La Soul Is Dead" is a testament to silence all those critics who say rap is not music. Honestly, if rap artists today took half the risks that De La took then hip hop would be a much better place.

5 out of 5 stars Love this album, twenty years later.......2007-01-30

I bought this album thinking it was Soul To Soul, and was totally glad I had made that mistake. I played this cassette over and over- I loved so much of it that I couldn't even tell you what my favorite was, although Bitties In The BK Lounge is in it, certainly.
And long after it disintegrated, I would find myself humming or singing a snatch of something from this album.

So, for my 39th birthday last week, I bought it again. This time on CD, but I have no doubt that I'll feel exactly the same way I felt the first time I heard it.

5 out of 5 stars Favorite Rap Album of Mine!!!.......2006-11-25

I remember going to buy this album back in '91, i believe. I remember staring at the cd cover with the broken pot and asking myself "what's that mean?". I was definitely confused. I popped in the cd and was completely surprised the with the big differences from "3 Feet High and Rising". I never thought anyone would be able to make an album as good as that again, but was proven wrong. To make an album as good and go in a total different direction is just a display of what pure genius DE LA SOUL is.
No longer in high school ('91,11th grade) I still find this album to be one of my favorites, if not my favorite of all time. I still have the original cd and now that im loading my whole cd collection into my PC, i noticed the scratches my disc has and came on here to possibly purchase a back up copy. Thats how good it is.

I suggest you buy it and enjoy a classic masterpiece that has withstood the test of time, not anywhere close to being dated at all.

5 out of 5 stars 10 stars.......2006-10-04

This has to be my favorite De La Soul LP out. While this record was released the presence of makin gangsta rap music was starting to rise and though some of that was good, I was even more excited that the TRUE HIP HOPPERS like De La kept it real even further by not conforming to the trend. Its one of my favorites and after listening to it, I'm sure it'll be one of yours. Peace

5 out of 5 stars Another Hip Hop Classic from De La Soul.......2006-07-02

I rate this album just a bit better from '3 Feet High and Rising'....What an album this is...

First off, I think there's a big misconception about this album...Every critic and writer claims that this album was 'dark' and a sharp contrast from '3 Feet High and Rising'...Personally, I didn't think it was that much of a different album....Yeah, its unique and stands out on its own...But the same goes with all De La Soul albums: they all take on their own personality....I just don't think the music on here is either dark or a sharp contrast from '3 Feet High and Rising'...

Now back to the album...Just like 3 Feet High, this album is filled with skits and bit of satire...But it's done in a very fun and enjoyable way...It gives De La a personality and takes you into their world for an hour....Again, the production is flawless on here....My favorite tracks include the unforgettable "Roller Skating Jam named Saturdays", "Pass the Peas" "Millie pulled a Pistol on Santa" and "My brother's a basehead"....This album is jam packed w/ classic hip hop material tho...

Definately worth the purchase...Highly recommended...
Bru
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Bru
    Bru
    Manufacturer: Bru Records
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Rap & Hip-Hop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
    ASIN: B0001UZCFM
    Release Date: 2004-03-01

    Tracks:

    1. Testament
    2. Under The Ground
    3. Chachi
    4. Runnin
    5. Phantom Alliance
    6. The Mind of an Emcee
    7. Grids
    8. Adaptation
    9. Hip Hop Dont Stop
    10. Incandescent II
    11. The Blessing of Invention
    12. Say Word
    13. Elephino
    14. Gray Area
    15. Say Word Live Version

    Album Description

    Are you one of those people who think that the south has no "real emcees?" Are you looking for something other than "getting the club crunk?" Welcome to the other side, Bru represents real emcees over bangin beats. Yes we are from Arkansas, and yes, we are real emcees. Take a look and prepare to be impressed.
    Millie Pulled a Pistol on Santa / Keeping the Faith (Youth Mixes)
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		Millie Pulled a Pistol on Santa / Keeping the Faith (Youth Mixes)
      De La Soul
      Manufacturer: Sony Records Japan / Tommy Boy Music
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      GeneralGeneral | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
      ASIN: B000NQ9CVO

      Product Description

      JAPANESE CD single issued on 12/12/1991, taken from the incredible "De La Soul Is Dead" album. Features two remixes by mega-producer, Killing Joke bassist and erstwile Orb associate Youth. TRACKS: 1. MILLIE PULLED A PISTOL ON SANTA (FULL REMIX), 2. KEEPIN' THE FAITH (JUST A TOUCH MIX), 3. KEEPIN' THE FAITH (FLY AND FUNKY MIX), KEEPIN' THE FAITH (STRAIGHT PASS MIX). Excellent interpretations of two brilliant De La Soul songs.

      Soul Music:

      1. Devil's Night [Explicit Lyrics]
      2. Do You Want More?!!!??! [Explicit Lyrics]
      3. Electric Circus [Enhanced] [Explicit Lyrics]
      4. Elephant Eyelash
      5. Elephunk
      6. Fast Cars, Danger, Fire and Knives [EP] [Limited Edition]
      7. Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood [Explicit Lyrics]
      8. Fly or Die [Enhanced] [Explicit Lyrics]
      9. G. Love & Special Sauce
      10. Go: Music From The Motion Picture [Soundtrack]

      Soul Music

      soul music

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      Soul Rendezvous

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      Follies in Concert (1985 Live Performance) + Stavisky Film Score [Cast Recording] [Live]

      French Music For Harp

      Feel the Stomp [Import]

      Dvorak: Slavonic Dances, Op. 42 & 72 (Complete)

      Egwu-Anwu [Live]

      Con Mi Sentimiento

      Formidables

      Classical Music classical-music-03

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