| Reviews |
"High and Rising is equal parts passion and history. Marcus J. Moore seamlessly weaves a narrative that not only details the journey of De La Soul, but places their legendary story within the context of Hip-Hop as a whole. The result is a work that--much like De La themselves--will stand the test of time. For the true De La heads, this story is just as informative as it is heartwarming (and aching) in parts. And for those who don't know the story behind one of the most influential groups in music history, this is an excellent start." -- Kathy Iandoli, author of God Save The Queens: The Essential History of Women In Hip-Hop |
| Synopsis |
A stunning cultural biography of De La Soul, the era-defining hip-hop trio that touched millions of lives and changed rap forever. De La Soul burst onto the scene with the release of their groundbreaking 1989 album 3 Feet High & Rising , an "anything goes" hip-hop masterpiece hailed as a new masterwork from a bygone era of Black experimentation. Formed in Long Island in 1988 by Kelvin "Posdnuos" Mercer, Dave "Trugoy the Dove" Jolicoeur, and Vincent "Maseo" Mason, De La Soul rebuked classification and appealed to the Black alternative. Their music was positive and psychedelic, their imagery full of flowers and peace signs. It was rap with a broad sonic palette which set the blueprint for an entire generation of artists who followed. But as quickly as De La ascended, they were faced with the pressures of a changing industry and bitter legal battles. Completed in the wake of Dave's passing and the group's arrival on streaming platforms after years in digital purgatory, High and Rising tells the story of one of the most influential rap groups of all time. In the process, acclaimed music journalist Marcus J. Moore braids in a deeply personal coming-of-age story about his journey through life with De La as a backdrop. The first book about De La Soul, High and Rising shows that De La Soul is Black history, American history, world history, our history. This is a tale about staying the course, and how holding true to your virtue can lead to dynamic results., A stunning cultural biography of De La Soul, the era-defining hip-hop trio that touched millions of lives and changed rap forever. De La Soul burst onto the scene with the release of their groundbreaking 1989 album 3 Feet High & Rising, an "anything goes" hip-hop masterpiece hailed as a new masterwork from a bygone era of Black experimentation. Formed in Long Island in 1988 by Kelvin "Posdnuos" Mercer, Dave "Trugoy the Dove" Jolicoeur, and Vincent "Maseo" Mason, De La Soul rebuked classification and appealed to the Black alternative. Their music was positive and psychedelic, their imagery full of flowers and peace signs. It was rap with a broad sonic palette which set the blueprint for an entire generation of artists who followed. But as quickly as De La ascended, they were faced with the pressures of a changing industry and bitter legal battles. Completed in the wake of Dave's passing and the group's arrival on streaming platforms after years in digital purgatory, High and Rising tells the story of one of the most influential rap groups of all time. In the process, acclaimed music journalist Marcus J. Moore braids in a deeply personal coming-of-age story about his journey through life with De La as a backdrop. The first book about De La Soul, High and Rising shows that De La Soul is Black history, American history, world history, our history. This is a tale about staying the course, and how holding true to your virtue can lead to dynamic results. |
Nguyen Quy Dong
This book is a fantastic deep dive into De La Soul's legacy! Marcus J. Moore captures their groundbreaking sound, cultural impact, and behind-the-scenes struggles in vivid detail. As a longtime fan, I loved learning new insights about their creative process and influence on hip-hop. The hardcover edition feels premium, and the writing keeps you hooked from start to finish. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just discovering their music, this biography is an engaging read that celebrates one of music's most innovative groups. Highly recommend adding it to your collection!