The humor of De La Soul has always been one of its calling cards. When DJ Maseo tells the Tiny Desk crowd, “Ladies and gentlemen, we’re a new group called De La Soul,” he means it as a joke. But, in so many ways, one of the most influential groups in hip-hop is new: the duties have been reassessed, the focus has shifted and the newness of The Plugs is laid plain here at the Tiny Desk.
De La Soul came to us to celebrate a few milestones: its latest album, Cabin in the Sky, and year three of the De La catalog back under the members’ control. This Tiny Desk releases on March 3, which is known as De La Soul Day. It’s all a bit bittersweet as David Jolicoeur (aka Trugoy the Dove, aka Plug Two) isn’t here with Pos and Maseo. Dave passed away in 2023, just weeks before the group’s music was finally made available on streaming platforms after a decades-long legal battle.
Throughout the planning process for this show, both remaining members were candid about what Dave would and wouldn’t approve of creatively, but remained open to ideas to honor him. The result was a thoughtful balance of classics like “Stakes is High” and “Breakadawn” with highlights from Cabin in the Sky.
MUSICIANS
Pos: vocals
Maseo: vocals,
DJ Daru Jones: drums, Music director
Aaron Hardin: Keys
Ephraim Dorsey: Sax
Omari Forman: Trumpet
Lelia-Michelle Walker: Viola
Yummy Bingham: Background vocals
Gina Loring: Background vocals
TINY DESK TEAM
Producers: Bobby Carter, Joshua Bryant Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant Audio Director/Mix: Josh Newell Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Maia Stern, Kara Frame, Mitra I. Arthur, Alanté Serene Audio Engineer: Neil Tevault Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer Photographer: Michael Zamora Series Editor: Lars Gotrich Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed Executive Director: Sonali Mehta Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson, Robin Hilton
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