Plug 1 & Plug 2 Present... First Serve
De La Soul · 2012
54 min · 16 tracks · hip-hop
A playful fusion of jazz-infused beats and clever wordplay that showcases De La Soul's signature eclectic style.
Top tracks — play these first
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Pushin’ Aside, Pushin’ Along Start here — This track encapsulates the album's themes of perseverance and self-reflection, backed by an upbeat tempo that encourages listeners to keep moving forward.
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We Made It — Here, the duo reflects on their journey and achievements, blending introspective lyrics with a catchy hook that resonates with both long-time fans and new listeners.
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Must B the Music — This track stands out for its infectious groove and celebration of musical heritage, showcasing De La Soul's ability to craft uplifting anthems while staying true to their roots.
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Clash Symphony — With its dynamic arrangement and engaging dialogue between the duo, this track illustrates their chemistry and highlights their storytelling prowess within the larger narrative of the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases De La Soul's playful style with strong compositions and cohesive storytelling.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a spoken-word piece that sets a narrative tone, followed by tracks that blend jazz samples with intricate rhymes.
- Several interludes break up the main tracks, creating a conversational flow and adding depth to the storytelling.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- playful interludes for casual listening
- dynamic progression with surprises
- nostalgic vibes for reflection
- engaging storytelling with humor
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward, immediate tracks
- dislike playful, light-hearted themes
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Marks a significant return after a long hiatus, showcasing their unique style.
- Themes
- artistic legacy· jazz-infused storytelling· self-reflection journey
- Career context
- Released in 2012, this album marked a significant return for De La Soul after a lengthy hiatus since their last studio album, 'The Grind Date' in 2004. It features the duo's unique approach to storytelling through music, navigating themes of identity and artistic legacy while also introducing their roles as Plug 1 and Plug 2 in a collaborative concept.
- Stylistic neighbors
- A Tribe Called Quest· The Roots· J Dilla
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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We Made It
The verses shift from personal anecdotes to broader reflections on success and community support without losing intimacy.
This structural choice deepens the emotional impact by connecting personal triumphs to collective experiences, reinforcing a sense of unity.
Tracklist
- 1 Opening Credits 3:37
- 2 Pushin’ Aside, Pushin’ Along Start here 4:13
- 3 The Work 4:05
- 4 Small Disasters 2:38
- 5 We Made It 4:27
- 6 We Made It (interlude) 0:47
- 7 Must B the Music 4:07
- 8 Goon TV (interlude) 1:20
- 9 The Book of Life 3:59
- 10 Clash Symphony 3:23
- 11 Pop Life 5:15
- 12 Tennis 4:13
- 13 The Top Chefs 2:58
- 14 Backstage (interlude) 1:30
- 15 Move ’em In, Move ’em Out 5:06
- 16 Ending Credits 3:08
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
The Low End Theory
A Tribe Called Quest
Both blend jazz samples with introspective lyrics, exploring identity and artistic expression.
Undun
The Roots
Shares a narrative-driven approach and combines live instrumentation with reflective storytelling.
Mm.. Food
MF DOOM
Features clever wordplay and playful beats, emphasizing self-reflection and unique lyrical perspective.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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