25 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums Of All Time
23. De La Soul - 3 Feet High And Rising
In many ways, De La Soul's 3 Feet High and Rising is one of the most unique rap albums ever made. Not only did it introduce the world to an album with skits, the record also features the top-level of inventive, playful and stylish raps. Sampling the likes of Johnny Cash and Steely Dan, 3 Feet High and Rising signalled the birth of alternative rap.
The rappers of the group - Posdnuos, Trugoy and Maseo - released the album in 1989, at a time when gangsta rap ruled the airwaves and confrontational lyrics were the norm. This wasn't the way De La Soul wanted to go, instead allowing themselves to stand out amongst the crowd thanks to their more upbeat and almost soft sound.
3 Feet High and Rising kickstarted an entire genre and started De La Soul on a career that is still in motion to this day.