De La Soul’s classic albums are finally available for streaming

Just weeks after the death of Trugoy the Dove, De La Soul have released classic albums 3 Feet High and Rising (1989), De La Soul Is Dead (1991), Buhloone Mindstate (1993), Stakes Is High (1996), Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump (2000), and AOI: Bionix (2001) on streaming platforms. The albums were previously released by Tommy Boy Records.

The group have been struggling to get the albums online for years. They have since resolved the sample clearance issues that we’re keeping them off streaming platforms. Back in 2019, Trugoy the Dove said that the issues originated with Tommy Boy’s Tom Silverman, who “didn’t think that 3 Feet High and Rising was going to do well at all. Because of that reason, they decided not to clear stuff.”

Back in 2019, it was announced that De La Soul’s classic albums would at last become available in the next year. Not soon after, however, the group said they would only earn “pennies” from Tommy Boy’s streaming contract. The digital drop was subsequently scrapped and we’ve had to wait until now for the dispute to be resolved.

Trugot – real name David Jude Jolicoeur, passed away aged 54 on February 12th, 2023. After a period of silence, Kenvil Mercer, otherwise known as Posdnuos, wrote on Instagram: “You were the heart of our group. You brought so much creativity, energy, and passion to our music, and your influence will be felt for years to come.”

He continued: “Your passing is a great loss not only to us, but also to the entire hip-hop community. You were a true artist who used music to inspire and uplift others, and you will be deeply missed by all who knew you.”

In his own letter, Maseo wrote: “On one end I’m happy you no longer have to suffer the pain of your condition but on the other hand I’m extremely upset at the fact that you’re not here to celebrate and enjoy what we worked and fought so hard to achieve.”