“Day La Soul” a celebration of De La Soul at Elysian Park, Los Angeles

Please join us Sunday March 5th for “Day La Soul”, a celebration of De La Soul, from 11am-3pm in Elysian Park.

What was to mark the occasion of their wonderful back catalogue finally being reissued and available to stream, we now pay tribute to founding member Dave Jolicoeur aka Trugoy the Dove who tragically passed away over the weekend at the age of 54.

De La Soul arrived in 1989 with “3 Feet High & Rising” announcing a post modern, almost whimsical approach to sample based record making, while summarily shifting rap on its axis. Followed by “De La Soul Is Dead”, a continued exploration of collage and outright rejection of the sophomore slump, “Buhloone Mindstate”, a funk maturation & “Stakes Is High”, squarely boom bap — all certified classics and an untimitable four album run.

Ask anyone who’s anyone who their favorite rap group is, or better yet who’s the most important to them. But De La seem to exist outside of hip hop, maybe also outside of space and time. No club hits, no real mainstream success or commercial residue, but limitless appeal. Givers of so much joy. A group who’s style, thoughtfulness, poetry, humour and individuality is so woven into the fabric of our daily lives its almost to be taken for granted — perhaps in a way the ultimate compliment.

But you already know all this. You felt it when the news came down about Dave’s passing. How much they meant to you over the years. So it’s time to give De La Soul their flowers, and pass their music on to the next generation.

It’s Da Inner Sound Y’all, outside. No vendors, no list, no transactions — just the music of De La Soul in the park: the tunes, the samples, the skits. Bring a blanket and some snacks. Daisies too. Please join us in celebration of the very best. RIP Dave x 🕊️