3 Feet High and Rising is the debut studio album by hip hop trio De La
Soul and was released on March 3, 1989
It marked the first of three full- length collaborations with producer Prince Paul, which
would become the critical and commercial peak of both parties. Critically, as well as
commercially, the album was a success. It contains the singles "Me Myself and I",
"The Magic Number", "Buddy", and "Eye Know".
The album title came from the Johnny Cash song "Five Feet High and Rising". It is
listed on Rolling Stone's 200 Essential Rock Records and The Source's 100 Best Rap
Albums. When Village Voice held its annual Jazz & Pop Critics Poll for 1989, 3 Feet
High and Rising was ranked #1. It was also listed on the Rolling Stone's The 500
Greatest Albums of All Time. Released amid the 1989 boom in gangsta rap, which
gravitated towards hardcore, confrontational, violent lyrics, De La Soul's uniquely
positive style made them an oddity beginning with the first single, "Me, Myself and
I". Their positivity meant many observers labeled them a 'hippie' group, based on
their declaration of the 'D.A.I.S.Y. Age' (Da. Inner. Soul. Yall).
Sampling artists as diverse as Hall & Oates, Steely Dan and The Turtles, 3 Feet High
and Rising is often viewed as the stylistic beginning of 1990s alternative hip hop
(and especially jazz rap).
An absolutely essential slice of Hip Hop history that’s been unavailable for some time.