New Music: De La Soul ‘The People’ Featuring Chuck D. (Listen)

Got this in my inbox from De La Soul so, of course I have to share.

I’ve been a fan of De La Soul and Public Enemy from day one and it’s not because I grew up on Long Island. It’s because I grew up on GREAT hip hop and I feel lucky for that.

I remember when I first heard De La Soul’s ‘Me, Myself and I’ on the radio. DJ Red Alert(who just celebrated a birthday) played it.

I always recorded everything Red Alert played so, I rewound the cassette(dating myself) over and over until I had all the words written down and then I memorized it and rhymed along.

I’ve been rhyming along to De La Soul since then and am looking forward to their upcoming album slated for a 2015 release.

This is what De La Soul had to say about the origin of the song:

The idea for the song came from a couple of samples, and the track’s vibe is earnest and has a pressing tone to it. The lyrics are commentaries of our struggles and successes, our weaknesses and strengths… the experiences… and trials and tribulations we have faced as human beings, a race, and as individuals. Lyrically Chuck brings a sense of authority and urgency. The power in his voice demands your attention. With Chuck on the track this is a dream come true for us.

Originally “The People” was suppose to drop in June around the same time the Chuck D/Hot 97/Peter Rosenberg situation took place. We chose to hold off and not add fuel to any fires. Our next aim was for a Black Friday release. Coincidentally the Ferguson tragedy took place, and more recently the non-indictment verdict. Somehow this song was destined to be a part of something more than just dropping a joint. We hope it will lend itself to something positive in these difficult times.

Check out ‘The People’ featuring Chuck D. from Public Enemy.

De La Soul is also selling sweat shirts and t-shirts in connection with this single with proceeds benefiting two great charity organizations, I Love Ferguson, which is helping small businesses that have been affected in Ferguson, Missouri because of the protests and All Star Code, an organization that helps under served youth make their way into the tech industry.

Cop some gear!