De La Soul “Exploring Authorized Choices” Over Unauthorized E-book
The residing members of De La Soul—Kelvin “Posdnuos” Mercer and Vincent “Maseo” Mason—are urging followers to not assist a brand new e book referred to as Excessive & Rising (A E-book About De La Soul). Because the title and canopy artwork counsel, the e book intertwines the New York-bred trio’s journey to changing into one of the influential Hip-Hop teams to emerge from the Eighties with the writer’s life.
However in response to an Instagram publish, Pos and Mase had nothing to do with it and, in actual fact, they’re contemplating taking swift authorized motion. The publish explains, “We’ve been receiving congratulatory messages a couple of e book titled ‘Excessive & Rising.’ Nonetheless, we wish to make it completely clear: that is an unauthorized e book, and we’re not linked to it in any method.
“For years, you’ve stood with us in our combat for possession of our catalog and the suitable to profit from the music we created. That very same dedication to defending what’s ours extends to being those who inform OUR story—one thing deeply private and ‘De La’ to the core. Our story can be informed in our phrases, in our method, with the fashion you’ve come to know and love. Till then, we encourage you to indulge within the genuine DA.I.S.Y. Age by supporting initiatives backed by us.”
They go on to say, “If you happen to select to assist this e book, that’s your proper. We simply need it to be clear that we don’t and we’re exploring all of our authorized choices. Even inside this e book’s title, the ‘3’ Is lacking which exhibits how inauthentic it’s as a result of for us, ‘3’ will at all times be the magic quantity. We’re cooking up one thing particular for Spring 2025—so the wait received’t be lengthy for extra of that genuine ‘De La.’”
View this publish on Instagram
Excessive & Rising: A E-book About De La Soul is written by Marcus J. Moore, and is at present being offered on the Harpers Collins web site. Described as “a surprising cultural biography of De La Soul, the era-defining hip-hop trio that touched tens of millions of lives and altered rap perpetually,” the e book touts itself as the primary in regards to the beloved group.
“The primary e book about De La Soul, Excessive & Rising exhibits that De La Soul is Black historical past, American historical past, world historical past, our historical past,” the outline reads. “This can be a story about staying the course, and the way holding true to your advantage can result in dynamic outcomes.”
In line with the web site, Moore completed it shortly after Dave “Trugoy the Dove” Jolicoeur’s dying. The beloved member handed away in February 2023.
“Accomplished within the wake of Dave’s passing and the group’s arrival on streaming platforms after years in digital purgatory, Excessive & Rising tells the story of one of the influential rap teams of all time,” it continues. “Within the course of, acclaimed music journalist Marcus J. Moore braids in a deeply private coming-of-age story about his journey by means of life with De La as a backdrop.”
De La Soul’s first six albums, together with 1989’s 3 Ft Excessive and Rising, landed on streaming companies for the primary time on March 3, 2023 (3/3/23), simply weeks after Jolicoeur had died. It was a bittersweet second for Pos and Mase, who’d been combating Tommy Boy Data founder Tom Silverman for the rights for years however immediately, Jolicoeur wasn’t there to witness it.
Pos mirrored on Jolicoeur’s passing on the one-year-anniversary of his dying, writing, “I really feel conflicted posting this on this date…Dave disliked when individuals have been publicly remembered on the day they have been misplaced….The day they transitioned however I’m positive he additionally revered how individuals selected to recollect these they love and have misplaced. So on today I’ll stand alongside all of the individuals who cherish him in addition to saved us of their prayers however to be clear I miss him within the bodily on a regular basis, rep for him on a regular basis & will speak to somebody about him on a regular basis.”
View this publish on Instagram
In a subsequent interview with AllHipHop, Maseo assured De La Soul followers it wasn’t the tip for them.
“The plan is unquestionably to step out and put my greatest foot ahead to make AOI 3 a actuality,” he mentioned on the time. “We’re positively trying to full that mission. Pos has different concepts that he’s making an attempt to carry to fruition. We acquired the blessing of family and friends—and Dave’s household specifically— for us to maintain shifting ahead. We have been really type of summoned to it. We went to Dave’s memorial at his home, and everyone that we grew up with was like, ‘Y’all know y’all gotta preserve going.’ And on so many ranges I really feel like now we have to and, on the identical time, we wish to. We nonetheless acquired so much within the tank.”
