AOI : Bionix

by

De La Soul

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When De la drops an album I'm gonna cop it. They've earned that much. Even if I ain't quite feeling it on the first few spins, first few months even, at some point it's gonna hit me. It's inevitable with these guys. This album is no exception. It's at once introspective, reverential, playful, raunchy, and definitely intelligent. In fact, as I crossed into my 30's this year it stands to reason that De La is probably one of the few groups out there who aren't afraid to act their age. I was touched by "Am I Worth it to You" and felt like "Trying People" was speaking directly to a brotha.

Now I'm not knocking certain rappers who cater to the youth market with "money, hoes, & clothes" (I can't front, I want 'em too). However, when it comes to saying what's really on a thirty something black man's noggin' and doing so without getting too self-righteous, De La's always been on point. "Baby Phat" gives a bouncing and long overdue shout to the thickness out there and "Pawn Star", Slick Rick on "What We Do", and B-Real on "Peer Pressure" keep the flow light but still on point.

What gets slept on with these guys also is their production skills. "Simply Having"'s Paul McCartney sample is infectious and genius and "The Sauce" is butta. But I can't say enough about the thoughtful and cleverness of the lyrics.

All in all, they are just professionals. If you've slept on the Soul over the years, just go back and get the entire catalog...you'll eventually grow into it.