De La Soul | 3 Feet High And Rising [Double Yellow Coloured Vinyl] 2LP

De La Soul’s seminal debut album 3 Feet High and Rising was originally released on March 3, 1989 and is widely considered among the most influential hip-hop albums of all time. It marked the first of three full-length collaborations with producer Prince Paul and contains the singles, “Me Myself and I”, “The Magic Number,” “Buddy,” and “Eye Know.” The album title came from the Johnny Cash song “Five Feet High and Rising.” It is listed on Rolling Stone’s 200 Essential Rock Records as well as their list of 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. It is also featured on The Source’s 100 Best Rap Albums. When Village Voice held its annual Jazz & Pop Critics Poll for 1989, 3 Feet High and Rising was ranked #1.

Sampling artists as diverse as Hall & Oates, Steely Dan and The Turtles, 3 Feet High and Rising is often viewed as the stylistic beginning of 1990s alternative hip hop (and especially jazz rap). Released amid the 1989 boom in gangsta rap, which gravitated towards hardcore, confrontational, violent lyrics, De La Soul’s uniquely positive style made them an oddity beginning with the first single, “Me, Myself and I”. Their positivity meant many observers labeled them a ‘hippie’ group, based on their declaration of the ‘D.A.I.S.Y. Age’ (Da. Inner. Soul. Yall).

3 Feet High & Rising was chosen by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry for its cultural significance and general excellence. An absolutely essential slice of Hip Hop history that’s been unavailable for some time.