The trio of hip-hop performers from Long Island, NY, known as De La Soul (Kelvin Mercer aka “Posdnuos“, David Jude Jolicoeur aka “Trugoy“, and Vincent Mason aka “Pasemaster Mase“) made their recording debut on the 1989 release
3 Feet High and Rising. Produced by Prince Paul from Tommy Boy Records, the release was certified Platinum in the US where it reached number 24 on the Billboard album charts, number 1 on the R&B album charts, and number 13 in the UK.
The album was a critical success as well. It appeared in the top 10 of a number of publications best of lists for 1989. Rolling Stone listed it at number 346 of its 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Q Magazine ranked it number 20 on its list of the 40 Best Albums of the 80’s.
