While many hip-hop artists were expressing anger in response to police brutality, poverty and conditions within the nation’s projects, De La Soul emerged at the end of the ‘80s as a peaceful, funk-loving group. Where Public Enemy’s revolutionary rap seemed almost too hardcore for the mainstream, De La Soul’s positive vibes eased into the top 40.

The group hasn’t released any new material in a while, but a tour based on creating something fresh from the old is wholly representative of De La Soul’s modus operandi. The trio impacted hip-hop’s use of sampling by creatively cutting and pasting, a practice that got them in trouble when ‘60s band The Turtles sued for copyright infringement (and won).

But perhaps De La Soul is best known for changing mass perception of what hip-hop is, was or will eventually be. There are few rules in the game, and even those are made to be broken. The spirit of hip-hop can be angry, ecstatic, heartbroken or pensive, but all of it is relevant and potentially life-changing. De La Soul flipped the switch, and their contributions should be acknowledged.

De La Soul performs poolside at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino July 18 at 9 p.m. Tickets are $20.

By Caitlin McGarry

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