We Nonetheless Obtained A Lot In The Tank

De La Soul suffered an insurmountable loss final February, when beloved member Dave “Trugoy The Dove” Jolicoeur died on the age of 54. The timing couldn’t have been worse. After years of battling their former label Tommy Boy Data for his or her masters, the New York Metropolis trio’s first six albums— Three Toes Excessive and Rising, De La Soul Is Useless, Buhloone Mindstate, Stakes Is Excessive, Artwork Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump and AOI: Bionix—had been lastly getting a digital launch. Three weeks earlier than the momentous event, tragedy struck.

Pressured to maneuver ahead with out him, Kelvin “Posdnuos” Mercer and Vincent “Maseo” Mason are actually tasked with the big accountability of constant his legacy. And to this point, it’s been a wonderful factor to witness for De La Soul followers. On February 12, the one-year anniversary of Trugoy’s passing, Pos penned a deeply transferring tribute to him by way of Instagram, writing, “I really feel conflicted posting this on this date…Dave disliked when individuals had been publicly remembered on the day they had been misplaced.

“The day they transitioned however I’m certain he additionally revered how individuals selected to recollect these they love and have misplaced. So on this present day I’ll stand alongside all of the individuals who cherish him in addition to saved 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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On Friday (March 1), De La Soul launched an expanded model of their 1988 debut, Three Toes Excessive and Rising, which got here with six bonus tracks (two of them dwelling demos). Forward of its launch, Pos and Mase had slightly time to replicate on their pal, who they affectionately name Dave, within the yr since his dying. Actually, Pos talked concerning the Instagram put up and defined why he was so hesitant to share it.

“It’s exhausting for me as a result of Dave all the time talked about that with me,” Pos tells AllHipHop. “He’s like, ‘Yo, why do they do this? Even with it Dilla, he can be like, ‘Why are they celebrating his dying?’ Or Biggie—’Why are they spending all this time speaking about his dying? I may see celebrating a birthday, however his dying?’ So I felt conflicted and that’s what i put within the put up. I talked to Mase about it and I used to be like, ‘Yo, I’m attempting to let the followers know, like it is a one-off. I’m going to do that as a result of I do know y’all have been there for us all through this entire yr supporting us with our bittersweet success.

“They’ve been very useful with serving to me and Mase get via it, however it is a one-off. Once I acquired nearer to them placing up the put up, I didn’t wish to come off like that. I wished them to understand how Dave felt and the way I felt, however I perceive how y’all really feel and I’m going to honor him every year. However I simply want y’all to know, I have a good time Dave daily. I take into consideration him daily. I’m going to be upset that we misplaced him daily. So I’m not going to permit this sooner or later to interrupt me down.”

It was completely different for Mase although. Though he’s the extra animated one of many three, he discovered himself in a wierd temper that day and the rain solely added to the melancholic feeling he was experiencing.

“That was a tough day for me,” he says. “I used to be just about silent the entire day. Pos’ put up was the explanation I didn’t put up. Straight up. Once I noticed his put up, I used to be like, ‘That’s ok.’ I believe my silence says all of it, as a result of I’m normally the loudest one. I do know my silence speaks volumes. I’m not offended. I’m simply extraordinarily unhappy. What I’m glad about is he’s not in ache.”

As for De La Soul’s musical journey, all isn’t misplaced. There’s nonetheless extra work to do. As Maseo confirms, “The plan is unquestionably to step out and put my finest foot ahead to make AOI 3 a actuality. We’re positively seeking to full that mission. Pos has different concepts that he’s attempting to deliver to fruition. We acquired the blessing of family and friends—and Dave’s household specifically— for us to maintain transferring ahead. We had been really 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 have now to and, on the similar time, we wish to. We nonetheless acquired loads within the tank.”

Within the meantime, discover the expanded model of Three Toes Excessive and Rising right here.