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The Best of De La Soul

De La Soul · 2003

118 min · 27 tracks · hip-hop · alternative hip-hop · East Coast hip-hop

A vibrant tapestry of playful lyrics, eclectic samples, and innovative beats that redefine hip-hop's boundaries.

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Why this album works

This compilation album is notable for showcasing the group's significant contributions to hip-hop, featuring tracks that influenced countless artists and helped shape the genre's evolution. It peaked at number 34 on the Billboard 200 chart and received critical acclaim for its innovative approach to hip-hop music and culture, reinforcing De La Soul's status as key figures in the Native Tongues collective.
Career context
Released in 2003, 'The Best of De La Soul' serves as a retrospective collection highlighting the trio's influential career since their debut album, '3 Feet High and Rising' in 1989. By this time, De La Soul had established themselves as pioneers of alternative hip-hop, known for their unique blend of humor and social commentary. This compilation came after their critically acclaimed work on 'Stakes Is High' (1996) and marked a moment to reflect on their legacy within the genre.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Me Myself and I Standout 3:44
  • 2 Say No Go 4:21
  • 3 Eye Know 4:12
  • 4 The Magic Number Standout 3:16
  • 5 Potholes in My Lawn 3:49
  • 6 Buddy 4:55
  • 7 Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey) 4:07
  • 8 A Roller Skating Jam Named “Saturdays” 4:01
  • 9 Keepin’ the Faith 4:44
  • 10 Breakadawn 4:15
  • 11 Stakes Is High Standout 5:30
  • 12 4 More 4:19
  • 13 Oooh 3:34
  • 14 All Good? 5:00
  • 15 Thru Ya City 3:28
  • 16 Baby Phat 3:50
  • 17 Watch Out 3:36

Disc 2

  • 1 Buddy (Native Tongue Decision version) 7:16
  • 2 Stakes Is High (remix) 4:48
  • 3 The Bizness 5:42
  • 4 Stone Age 4:11
  • 5 Big Brother Beat 3:43
  • 6 4 More 4:20
  • 7 So Good 4:27
  • 8 I. C. Y’All 3:23
  • 9 Held Down 4:54
  • 10 What We Do (for Love) 5:05

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata

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East Coast hip-hop alternative hip-hop hip-hop