De La Soul's classic albums to land on streaming services

De La Soul’s classic albums are finally coming to streaming services on March 3, the legendary hip-hop group has confirmed.

The band's run from 1989 through 2001 will be released digitally via bandmember Maseo’s label AOI, in partnership with Reservoir and the distribution wing of Chrysalis. The six albums are 3 Feet High and Rising, De La Soul Is Dead, Buhloone Mindstate, Stakes Is High, Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump, and AOI: Bionix.

“It’s been 20 plus years overdue, but finally, we are here,” Maseo said in a press release. Physical reissues are also set for release on March 3rd this year. Complex licensing issues around De La Soul's use of hundreds of samples have held back the move until now.

"We can't believe this day is finally here," the band said in a statement, "and we are excited to be able to share our music with fans, old and new".

The announcement comes following false start in 2019, when De La Soul suggested that Tommy Boy’s plans to bring their classic records to streaming services involved an exploitative contract. The planned release was cancelled after a public outcry, but last year, the band said the dispute had been resolved after Reservoir acquired Tommy Boy.

De La Soul’s last album was 2016’s And the Anonymous Nobody…, which had been their first since 2004’s The Grind Date. The 2016 album featured Little Dragon, David Byrne, Damon Albarn, Usher and more, and came with a documentary called We’re Still Here (Now)….

Back in 2017, De La Soul also featured on Gorillaz’s Humanz track 'Momentz'.