De La Soul Talk Formation of Group and Bringing Balance to Rap

De La Soul has learned to combine their classic lyricism with innovative ideas to sustain their artistic legacy, and in this segment of their exclusive VladTV interview the respected HipHop group talks about how they formed and the initial reception that they received after they debuted in the Rap arena.

Back in 1985, summer school served as the platform that would introduce the musicians to one another. After completing their early morning classes, they would take up the rest of the day "listening to music." At the time the group was formed, Maseo was a well-known DJ, but both Posdnuos and Trugoy were "closeted" lyricists who would surprise their friends and family when they made it known they were aspiring rappers.

"When we first came out people kinda embraced it," says Trugoy, "It wasn't as if [the genre] was oversaturated with boasting rap or gangsta rap, or anything like that. I think we just formed a balance that people just naturally embraced."

De La Soul then speak on how during hip-hop's Golden Era there was more balance, because a variety of talented artists and groups who represented different sub-genres of hip-hop were all given time to shine, and this served to bolster the art form's appeal.

Watch the full clip to get their thoughts on their label manufacturing a "hippie" image for them to market their music, and their thoughts on the inherent authenticity of the music from hip-hop's Golden Era.