On February 12th, a representative of De La Soul confirmed the death of founding member, David Jolicoeur aka Trugoy the Dove. Today we reflect on the importance and innovation by this group in the history of POPular music and Hip Hop.

In 1989 De La Soul produced by Prince Paul released their debut album '3 Feet High and Rising', an important record because it spoke to similarly minded youngsters especially a geeky/quirky brigade and widened the reach of the genre by sending a 'you too' message of inclusiveness. The eclectic fusion of jazz and funk samples became part of the the Da La Soul sound, making waves throughout Hip Hop, it was a different direction and the poetic license of Hip Hop increased.

Though legal battles with the sample clearances apparently lasted years, it didn't prevent the group from finding ways to release new music and get their past music to fans. De Le Soul found ways to reach their fans over the last 5 years, stepping out of the box and rolling the dice on doing things differently.

De La Soul sent out their back catalogue free to whoever signed up, a 'giveaway' from such established artist of unparalleled proportions.
It reached people that would otherwise never have their music in digital format, to play at will. The music only recently becomes available on Spotify (03 03 23). Their innovation worked, most of all because this also gained them an updated database of De La Soul fans.

The group then proceeded to use Kickstarter to fund their new album with their updated database, raising $600k through pre-orders and other De La Soul goodies, allowing them creative freedom and finance to make the record they wanted to make. The whole campaign was so well delivered, packaged and thought through from the visuals, to the offerings and well timed and numbered updates. A real bolster for the rise of the independent musician.
Simple, genius marketing and fundraising from a group at the forefront of pioneering this music genre and popularising Hip Hop to a mass audience. It should be unsurprising.

Their influence on producers and artists are immeasurable. "... those guys are responsible for making so many of us misfits feel like we actually fit." Pharell Williams

"De La Soul became one of my favourite groups... influenced everything down the line. Including us. The first Jurassic 5 beat I ever made, which was our debut single, I made because I was so inspired by a De La Soul song in '93." Cut Chemist, Jurassic 5

"I was tripping out about the samples. I remember talking to Cut Chemist about it and he was a lot more knowledgeable about the group. He showed me [De La Soul's 1989 album 3 Feet High and Rising] and I was like, 'What is this about, what’s the sample?'. It was banging. It was a banging beat..."De La Soul changed the way people looked at hip hop. They ushered in a really creative era." Chali 2na, Jurassic 5

For those that managed to see De La Soul live, now is a time to reminisce and appreciate that part of our music history.
We have as much time in life as we have. Trugoy The Dove at just 54 years old; a young man, but OG in Hip Hop. Thank you for not following fashion and delivering great art that will always be appreciated for those of us still here doing life.

Innovative pledge campaign 2017:-
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1519102394/de-la-souls-new-album