We are De La Soul hip-hop trio from Long Island New York

I notice none of your albums are on Spotify. Are you guys opposed to streaming services (like T. Swift)?

No we're not opposed to these services.. we're just one of those band dealing with old contract that never had internet or digital language in them... we're working hard with attorneys and publisher to make our catalogue available.

First off, thanks for doing this. I'm a big fan of the group so naturally I have a few questions lol. I hope you don't mind.

1. What was it like working with J Dilla?
   
2. Do any of you regret never putting out a solo album?
   
3. What was life like growing up in New York in the 80's?
   
4. Many legendary artists have only one album that gets deemed a true classic. How does it feel knowing people rate 3 (3 Feet.., De La Soul Is Dead, Stakes is High) of your albums as hip hop essentials that shaped the genre?
   

Dilla was a quiet genius... real humble, opened up when he was in his zone. We watched him make a beat in minute... crazy.

Dave and I always recorded solo stuff... just to amuse ourselves.

NY in the *0's was crack life.. really tuff watching you classmates and neighbors fall victim but it was the best era for Hip Hop

3 Ft High was very important to us, we are happiest knowing that our album wasn't only accept but made a difference and change Hip Hop.

What ever happened to Digable Planets?!

(Pos) I see Doodle Bug around, he has another group he tours with... Mecca is working with Prince Paul at the moment.

In your song "Me Myself and I" in the second verse you state, "Style is surely our own thing - Not the false disguise of showbiz" which I think spoke well to the growing discourse between what was considered public and popular music compared to underground or fairly unknown singers, rappers, and composes that often feel pigeon-holed to apease the masses. I believe you referred to those people in verse three as kizids with dookie eyes. Things turn a little more surreal in the third verse when you spoke of chestnuts being shoveled in your path, how you're keeping up with them, all to avoid an aftermath. This could be construed as anything from the literal to the figurative, the most obvious analogy pointing to your fight and willpower to go against the "nuts" in your path and to continue to be yourselfs. I think that it is a great message then as much as it is now. Now for my question, do you prefer fried rice or steamed, and why?

Fried Rice Rules!!! The salt and grease makes it dangerously yummy. Kudos on the breakdown of those verses... wow, spot on.

I served you at Burger King 25 yrs ago in Ottawa, Canada - you did a show at the university campus bar. I ran to the back of BK to let the girls know you guys were here. Q: Was that the inspiration for "Bitties in the BK Lounge"? Love your music!

Hahaha... close but no Big Mac. Thanks for the love. The inspirational moment did happen at BK, but it was in Indiana.

What was it like working with DOOM on the rockokayne flow album? Also, what is the magic number?

Doom is an old friend... always fun being around the villain!! The magic number will always be 3.... the 3 of us.

You guys need a new member? I cant really rap, but I'm a very nice person.

"De La party ain't a party without you" kind of nice person?

I liked y'alls idea of crowdfunding your next album and the response was massive. You guys hit your goal so quickly! Do you think other artists will try to follow suit in the future? Fans and artists are more connected now than ever and you guys are proof that you don't need anything else if you have support. Will record labels ever be a thing of the past?

We do hope artist will follow in our footsteps! The fans have shown us that they believe and support our art and vision.. we just want to get you guys good music without the middle man/woman getting in the way. Kickstarter has proven to be an excellent vehicle/ community!!

Do you guys feel good?

Feeling Grape!!!

Hey guys! Huge fan!

Few questions cause i'm greedy like that. I, like many people I'm sure, discovered you when you first showed up on the Gorillaz album. Since then I've got some of your own albums and enjoy them immensely. Later on you also did Superfast Jellyfish with them. Now that they have confirmed a new album, any chance you'll make a new appearance with them? What was it like working with Damon Albarn? I've heard a lot of people can have trouble working with him. Who was the most memorable musician you've ever worked with? Anyway, thanks for being an important part of my life, it's always great to hear you pop up on my headphones.

Keep doing what you do guys!

Hey, there... greedy is good lol! Damon is the coolest dude. We've heard he's a trouble maker :-) but he's always been a charm with us. Recording for the Gorillaz albums was beyond cool.. no pressure, just building on ideas till we got something good. I've spoken to Damon (this is Dave) about the new Gorillaz album. I'm excited, we'd love to collab once again if Damon's up for it.

What are some of your favorite hip-hop albums?

Fav Hip Hop albums...hmmm

Classics like BDP Criminal Minded, Paid In Full Eric B & Rakim PE's It takes A Nation... and then Tribe's Low End Theory, NWA's Niggaz $ Life...

What was your experience like distributing with the BitTorrent bundle?

Would you talk a little bit about your expectations and the actual results?

Great experience!! The results exceeded our expectation insanely.. over 2 million downloads and we didn't crash like we did on dropbox.

Hey guys! How many feathers on a Perdue Chicken?

Haaaaahaaa... you don't know the answer to that one??? Oh, C'mon!!! lol

You guys have a lot of stand-out songs that are really powerful. There's no way to pick a favorite but 'Trying People' seems to have struck me the hardest. Is there any one song that all of you are particularly proud of?

Trying People makes us cry every time... it's hard getting through that one on stage even. Definitely our pic.

Hey you guys, I just wanted to say thanks for giving out almost all your music a while back around Valentines day. Why did you guys do that?

Did it cause sometime you gotta say "F the rules".. we knew the people wanted the music.

You guys like to infuse comedy with you music ( like the gameshow stuff on the 3 feet stuff) Is this side of you guys important to you and your act?

We are naturally clowns when hanging out.. since the early day of snapping "you Momma" jokes in high school. Studio is just like a classroom, learning, working and joking...it's important bcuz it's part of who we are. Hope we make you laugh.

How did you feel when Beyoncé released a song called Me Myself and I ?

She could've hollered for the remix...but it's all love:-)

Hey De La, love everything you do. Any chance of a tour with a reunited ATCQ?

THE NATIVE TONGUE SAGA CONTINUES....

Also you guys showed a lot of respect to the Wu on Get Away. What's your relationship with the clan like currently? Thoughts on their recent projects? Favorite MC from the group? (These can be answered individually)

The Wu is family.. we're big fan and the love and respect is mutual.

Wow De La Soul! I first discovered y'all when I heard your remix of Matt & Kim's Daylight. I wanted to ask did you guys worked with Matt & Kim with the Troublemaker remix? If so, how was the experience? The remix came out great! I also wanted to ask how it was working with the Gorillaz. The rap in Feel Good Inc. is amazing. I always find myself trying to rap it. Keep up the good work!

It's always collaborating with band you're not typically aware of... it's the best creative challenge ever. We love those bands and other after the collars... good folks, good vibes, good music!

Have your views on Pac changed at all over the years?

Our views of Pac have remained the same... He is one of the most fearless artist ever. Pac wasn't afraid to bare his soul.. Dear Momma, Brenda having a baby, etc etc.. he was the true definition of "keeping it real"

Who were the Japanese rappers you featured on Stakes Is High and how did you guys meet to collaborate?

That was a group named SDP and a solo artist Takagi Khan... good friends of our we met while touring Japan.

I just want you guys to know I still call people 'Hamster Penis' and I still crack up every single time.

Is 3 still the magic number?

3 will always be the magic #, hamster penis!

I'm very excited for the new album, and I really love the concept of getting a bunch of musicians together to burn studio time towards making a base to take samples from. Have you thought about what you're going to do in the future with all those hours of recordings? Have any producers hit you up for copies after your album is done or anything like that?

We'll be making more tunes and album with the sessions we've accumalated.. possibly bring in outside producers to sample and get different perspectives.

Which of you is De, which is La, and which is Soul?

Mase is Huey, I'm Douie. Dave is Louie :-)

Hey Dave, Posdnuos and Maseo

I have been a super big fan of De La Soul, ever since I heard ‘Simply’ probably sometime in 2001…

Considering what you guys do is so unique, which artists have been formative influences on your work?

How do you feel about being considered as one of the ‘greats'?

Thank you very much for this AMA!

Thanks for the support since early 2000.. We've been influence by the greats from Parliament Funkadelic, James Brown and Marvin Gaye to Africa Bam and KRS One and Ultramagnetic MC's... life is a big influence as well.. Being great is constantly learning... we try to remain student daily.

Goodfellas or Scarface?

Scarface of course!!

Could you challenge micheal eric dyson to a rap battle so he can stop pretending he is the worlds greatest mc?

Michael Eric Dyson is the rap don dadda!!

How did you come up with the intro to "The Bizness"?

Pos cleverly heard that Craig Mac piece.

Was there any backlash when Trugoy started going by "Dave"?? I know I was really taken aback.....just sorta kidding...thanks for all the tunes, guys.

No back lash at all.. everyone embrace me lol.. my mom was happiest.

kind of late to the game and don't know if y'all have answered this, but is there a tour on simmer? saw you at summerfest a couple years ago. before that, with tribe and souls of mischief in '93. tour?

We are looking to do a tour with the release of the new album.. with the band!!!

I just want to say THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH for putting all your albums up for free before. That was so awesome. I got everything I didn't have and digital copies of stuff I've never ripped.

Who's idea was it to do that?

Idea actually came from one of our creative guys Brandon Hixon... It was genius. We all are frustrated with our situation.. so we just said fuck it. If they can't get the music up ...let's give it all away.