Legendary hip-hop group De La Soul is considering legal action over the newly released biography, High and Rising: A Book About De La Soul. The group, known for their groundbreaking music and cultural impact, denounced the book as an “unauthorized” depiction of their lives, sparking a wave of mixed reactions among fans.
The book, authored by Marcus J. Moore and released on November 19, follows Moore’s previous work, The Butterfly Effect: How Kendrick Lamar Ignited the Soul of Black America. Moore described the biography as a tribute to De La Soul’s influence, referring to them as “Black history, American history, world history.” However, the group has firmly distanced itself from the project.
De La Soul’s Response
Taking to Instagram, De La Soul shared an image of the book’s cover marked with a bold red prohibition symbol. In their statement, the trio declared:
“This is an unauthorized book, and we are not connected to it in any way. Our story will be told in our words, in our way.”
While acknowledging that fans have the right to support the book, they clarified their stance:
“We do not [support it] and are exploring all of our legal options.”
The group also criticised the title’s omission of the symbolic “3,” a number integral to their identity, stating:
“Even within this book’s title, the ‘3’ is missing…‘3’ will always be the magic number.”
Fan Reactions
The announcement ignited heated debate on social media. Loyal supporters expressed solidarity, criticizing Moore for publishing without the group’s blessing. Others defended the author, arguing that his intentions were to honour De La Soul’s legacy.
One fan commented, “Respect to De La Soul for standing firm. Their story deserves to be told their way.” Conversely, another wrote, “The book seems like a celebration, not an attack. Why not embrace it?”
What’s Next for De La Soul?
Despite their frustration, the group ended on a positive note, hinting at “something special for Spring 2025” and promising more “authentic” projects in the future. This announcement has fueled speculation about new music, documentaries, or collaborations from the trailblazing collective.
De La Soul’s unwavering commitment to preserving their legacy is evident, and their fans eagerly await what’s next.
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