REVIEW: De La Soul three feet high and still rising
It has been nearly 14 years since De La Soul released “3 Feet High and Rising,” their critically acclaimed plunge into the mainstream. Since that time, rap has changed with the seasons – from Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic,” an intertwining of dance beats and gang-banging, to the poetry of Biggie Smalls and 2Pac Shakur, who’s violent deaths served as explicit reminders of art imitating life.
Today, most hip-hop is a product, clichéd rhymes by narcissistic rappers packaged in butt-shaking videos. The poetry and potential of the genre is constantly undercut by clichés of money, women and violence.
Re-enter De La Soul: Older, wiser and perhaps most importantly, aware. With their sixth album “///AOI: Bionix,” De La Soul members have mastered their art and reminded us of the capabilities of rap.
The album is a captivating blend of beats, melody and meaning. While De La remains street credible, they have done so without compromising their artistic integrity. Take the albums first single Baby Phat. The song sounds like a block-party favorite, but camouflaged beneath the synthesizer highs and lows is lyrical depth: Subtle, suggestive, albeit libido based.
“Just Let me watch the weight, don’t let it trouble you,” De La front man Dave West raps. The message is simple: Women should be appreciated regardless of their weight. Sir Mix A lot would be proud.
Baby Phat is really just the starting point for the album. The LP hits its stride with Held Down, a track that starts with an ominous bass line, flows easily into smooth rap, utilizes the nasally melody of Cee-Lo’s voice on the chorus, and ends with a black gospel choir. It is absolutely brilliant, easily one of the best rap songs of the year.
Another highlight is Watch Out, a track that makes Spanish salsa music the backdrop for the raps. The song begins with a sample of Jose “Perico” Hernandez playing vibes and singing lively. As his voice fades out, the bass fades in, the vibes remaining the constant. It is worth noting De La Soul avoided the typical sampling formula for success: 1) Take the chorus of a popular song, 2) Put a beat on top of it, 3) rap about anything, 4) make a high budget video with a lot of cars and scantily clothed women and 5) cash in. Sound familiar Puff?
“///AOI:Bionix” does fall victim to a few common rap pitfalls however. The album is cluttered with skits, stripping the actual songs of their poignancy.
After Special, a track from a woman’s perspective about waiting for the right time to have sex, the inappropriately comical voice of Rev. Do Good preaches about nothing in particular. Tacky.
De La Soul also throws in a few typical rap songs, like Peer Pressure, an ode to marijuana featuring none other than Cypress Hill’s B-Real, and Pawn Star, where women are relegated to their typical rap role of objects of lust. The songs seem unworthy of the album, a pair of sneakers worn with a designer suit.
Minor quibbles aside, De La is still doing what De La does best. “///AOI: Bionix” is a sophisticated work, which manages to have a little fun. It works on different levels. The production is something of a marvel with complicated beats and unusual instrumentation.
Melodically, the album relies on a dozen different vocalists, which helps each song sound distinct from the others. Lyrically “///AOI: Bionix” asks questions, points out problems and offers solutions.
It seems De La Soul is “3 Feet High” and still rising.
GRADE: A