De La Soul, consisting of Posdnuos, Trugoy the Dove, and Pasemaster Mase, emerged from high school in the late '80s to sign with Tommy Boy Records after catching the attention of Prince Paul. Their debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising, released in 1989, was praised for its eclectic mix of samples and styles, setting them apart from the hardcore rap dominating the era. The album's success led to the trio being hailed as leaders of the Native Tongues posse, alongside artists like A Tribe Called Quest and Queen Latifah.
Following legal issues with sampling on their debut album, De La Soul released subsequent albums like De La Soul Is Dead (1991), Buhloone Mindstate (1993), and Stakes Is High (1996). Despite critical acclaim, their commercial success waned in the '90s. The group later embarked on a series of albums, including Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump and The Grind Date, before a hiatus. De La Soul's return with And the Anonymous Nobody in 2016 showcased a nearly sample-free sound with live instrumentation and collaborations with artists like Usher and Damon Albarn.
