The New York–based hip-hop band De La Soul is known, among other things, for their appearance on the iconic track Feel Good Inc. and for winning a Grammy Award in 2006. From the very beginning, they stood out from many late-1980s rap artists: their sound embraced eclectic sampling, playful word-play, jazz, funk, pop and psychedelia, rather than the harder edged gangsta-rap dominant at the time.
For listeners and for hip-hop culture as a whole, the story of De La Soul remains an inspiring example: staying true to themselves, being open to innovation, and respecting their roots have helped them maintain influence for many years. Their new album, Cabin in the Sky, released in 2025, serves both as a tribute to the past and the beginning of a new chapter — grounded in legacy while looking toward the future.