Wired 25: The 25 Greatest De La Soul Songs Of All-Time
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Hip-Hop Wired
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March 3, 2014
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On March 3, 1989, Hip-Hop would be forever carved out a niche thanks to the eclecticism, uniqueness and flavor De La Soul initiated with their debut album 3 Feet High and Rising.
The album would go on to become a benchmark for Hip-Hop artists differentiating their albums similar to other genres of highly respected music. From then, the 5-mic recipient De La Soul is Dead, Buhloone Mindstate–an instrumentation wet dream and the Hip-Hop staple Stakes is High were also notably born.
Naturally with any storied catalog–especially one that is as extensive as the three-man Long Island army of Posdnuos, Dave and Maseo (Plug’s 1,2 and 3 respectively), there is going to be some noteworthy omissions.
Our fearless leader Aqua couldn’t let his favorite boom-bap records in “Lovely How I Let My Mind Float” and “Ain’t Hip To Be Labelled A Hippie” be left off without a fight where as, TC felt all Rich Homie Quan over the Christmas classic “Millie Pulled a Pistol on Santa” being snubbed.
Which goes to show that lists where gems are omitted means the artist in question really moved mountains in their career. The group recently released their entire discography for free to prove just that very fact.
Proceed through the gallery to check the 25 greatest De La Soul Songs of all-time. Did your personal favorite make the cut?
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Photo: Getty Images
25. “Watch Out”
Don’t let pics of smiles and flowers skew your perception. This is guerilla style MCing at its finest.
24. “Eye Know”
The De La’s proved early on they could keep it crafty and still make a radio hit. Arrested Development straight bit the flow too.
23. “Days Of Our Lives” ft. Common
Hip-Hop truly could have benefitted from a De La/Comm Sense LP. (You’ll see more evidence later on the list.)
22. “Chanel No Fever”
Will Smith stole the spotlight on the MIB soundtrack but this record gave the compilation a bit of Hip-Hop credibility.
21. “Much More” ft. DJ Premier & Yummy Bingham
A triumphant stand against all perpetrators of the culture.
20. “Ego Trippin’ III (Egoristic Remix)”
The trippiest edition of the Plug big-headed saga.
19. “Rock Co.Kane Flow” ft. MF DOOM
DOOM alongside his era peers always worked better than anyone could have expected. Jake One’s beat was pure flame as well.
18. “In The Woods” ft. Shortie No Mass
If Tribe had the jazz, De La had the juice.
17. “Supa Emcees”
An unfortunate forewarning on what would eventually become of the traditional rapper skill set.
16. “Oooh!” ft. Redman
For the new millennium, the Mosaic thumpers swung for the club’s fences, delivered a hit and dropped one of rap’s most clever videos to date.
15. “Breakadawn”
True school heads couldn’t help but keep this song in heavy rotation back in the day.
14. “Plug Tunin'”
Twenty-five years, this is an excellent reason why we’re returning to “the classics.”
13. “Peer Pressure” ft. B-Real & J Dilla
Although, not known for their secular ways, the Cypress Hill frontman convinced the Plug’s to roll, light and smoke the ganja over a dope beat.
12. “Trying People”
A thought-provokoking record that will make you want to better your life.
11. “Oodles Of O’s”
Master of ceremonies. Master of vowels.
10. “Potholes In My Law”
Clear-cut evidence that precious jewels were grown in the Soul garden from jump. No hoes allowed.
