The residing members of De La Soul—Kelvin “Posdnuos” Mercer and Vincent “Maseo” Mason—are urging followers to not assist a brand new e book known as Excessive & Rising (A E-book About De La Soul). Because the title and canopy artwork recommend, the e book intertwines the New York-bred trio’s journey to changing into probably the most influential Hip-Hop teams to emerge from the Nineteen Eighties with the writer’s life.
However in accordance with an Instagram submit, Pos and Mase had nothing to do with it and, actually, they’re contemplating taking swift authorized motion. The submit explains, “We’ve been receiving congratulatory messages a few e book titled ‘Excessive & Rising.’ Nonetheless, we wish to make it completely clear: that is an unauthorized e book, and we aren’t related to it in any method.
“For years, you’ve stood with us in our struggle for possession of our catalog and the appropriate to profit from the music we created. That very same dedication to defending what’s ours extends to being those who inform OUR story—one thing deeply private and ‘De La’ to the core. Our story can be advised in our phrases, in our method, with the fashion you’ve come to know and love. Till then, we encourage you to indulge within the genuine DA.I.S.Y. Age by supporting initiatives backed by us.”
They go on to say, “In case you select to assist this e book, that’s your proper. We simply need it to be clear that we don’t and we’re exploring all of our authorized choices. Even inside this e book’s title, the ‘3’ Is lacking which exhibits how inauthentic it’s as a result of for us, ‘3’ will all the time be the magic quantity. We’re cooking up one thing particular for Spring 2025—so the wait received’t be lengthy for extra of that genuine ‘De La.’”
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A submit shared by De La Soul (@wearedelasoul)
Excessive & Rising: A E-book About De La Soul is written by Marcus J. Moore, and is at present being offered on the Harpers Collins web site. Described as “a surprising cultural biography of De La Soul, the era-defining hip-hop trio that touched hundreds of thousands of lives and altered rap endlessly,” the e book touts itself as the primary in regards to the beloved group.
“The primary e book about De La Soul, Excessive & Rising exhibits that De La Soul is Black historical past, American historical past, world historical past, our historical past,” the outline reads. “This can be a story about staying the course, and the way holding true to your advantage can result in dynamic outcomes.”
In response to the web site, Moore completed it shortly after Dave “Trugoy the Dove” Jolicoeur’s dying. The beloved member handed away in February 2023.
“Accomplished within the wake of Dave’s passing and the group’s arrival on streaming platforms after years in digital purgatory, Excessive & Rising tells the story of probably the most influential rap teams of all time,” it continues. “Within the course of, acclaimed music journalist Marcus J. Moore braids in a deeply private coming-of-age story about his journey by means of life with De La as a backdrop.”
De La Soul’s first six albums, together with 1989’s 3 Toes Excessive and Rising, landed on streaming providers for the primary time on March 3, 2023 (3/3/23), simply weeks after Jolicoeur had died. It was a bittersweet second for Pos and Mase, who’d been combating Tommy Boy Data founder Tom Silverman for the rights for years however immediately, Jolicoeur wasn’t there to witness it.
Pos mirrored on Jolicoeur’s passing on the one-year-anniversary of his dying, writing, “I really feel conflicted posting this on this date…Dave disliked when folks had been publicly remembered on the day they had been misplaced….The day they transitioned however I’m certain he additionally revered how folks selected to recollect these they love and have misplaced. So on at the present time I’ll stand alongside all of the individuals who cherish him in addition to stored us of their prayers however to be clear I miss him within the bodily on a regular basis, rep for him on a regular basis & will discuss to somebody about him on a regular basis.”
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A submit shared by Pos ( De La Soul ) (@plugwondelasoul)
In a subsequent interview with AllHipHop, Maseo assured De La Soul followers it wasn’t the tip for them.
“The plan is certainly to step out and put my finest foot ahead to make AOI 3 a actuality,” he stated on the time. “We’re positively seeking to full that mission. Pos has different concepts that he’s attempting to deliver to fruition. We received the blessing of family and friends—and Dave’s household specifically— for us to maintain shifting ahead. We had been truly type of summoned to it. We went to Dave’s memorial at his home, and all people that we grew up with was like, ‘Y’all know y’all gotta maintain going.’ And on so many ranges I really feel like we’ve to and, on the similar time, we wish to. We nonetheless received so much within the tank.”
