De La Soul is an American hip-hop trio from Long Island, New York. The group formed in 1987 and consists of Posdnuos, Trugoy the Dove, and Maseo. They are known for their eclectic style, intelligent lyrics, and innovative use of sampling. One recurring theme in their music is the idea of the number three being magical. The concept of three as a magical numeral is not unique to De La Soul. It is a common belief in many cultures and religions.
It is a common belief in many cultures and religions. In Christianity, for example, the Holy Trinity represents the three beings of God: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Similarly, in Hinduism, three is seen as a sacred number, representing the Trimurti, the three main gods: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
De La Soul Spin “The Magic Number”
Listen to this track by three-man “hippie” hip hop crew from Long Island New York, De La Soul. It’s “The Magic Number”, a single as taken from their 1989 landmark album 3 Feet High and Rising. That record would stand as one of the signs that hip hop and rap were branching off in different directions by the end of the eighties, not only in the way that it was musically structured and textured, but also in terms of presentation and persona.
As the gangsta rap of NWA, and the politicized “CNN for black people” approach of Public Enemy began to make headway by that same era of the late eighties, this record was full of bounce and whimsy, referencing source material outside of hip hop’s traditional wheelhouse, including a sample from a song by Johnny Cash (“5 Feet High And Rising”) found on this track that also suggested a title to the album. Despite the off the beaten track musical choices it represents, 3 Feet High And Rising is commonly cited as a record that served as a bridge from the 1980s into the next decade of the 1990s, and a leap further into the mainstream for hip hop in general. Not bad for a debut record.
As innovative as the record is, De La Soul adhered to many of the tenets of the genre that still can be found in hip hop today; self-reference, self-awareness, and breaking down the fourth wall to remind listeners that that are listening to a record made by artists. The innovation part of the equation on this song is connected those ideas to some things that is found in music of all kinds; mystery and wonder!
The “3” in this song is the three men in De La Soul. As much as that might seem like a simple act of self-proclamation which is common in hip hop, this tune goes beyond that. This track is about the delicate dynamics that exist between artists who mysteriously find each other (“somewhere in this hip hop soul community …”) and are granted the opportunity to collaborate. To me, the lyrics of this song always seemed to suggest a sense of wonder around things that can’t be easily defined when the artistically sympathetic get together.
In this song, when three specific people get together under the De La Soul artistic umbrella, a kind of magic happens that is then translated into a unique sound that would not be possible should any of those three be absent. With three distinct personalities come the unexpected results that might not have emerged otherwise, from Bob Dorough’s Schoolhouse Rock reference to samples that quote the importance and the spiritual affinity that comes with the number three. Three has a mystical quality that can’t quite be accounted for, kind of like music itself.
Three really is a magic number. De La Soul in Berlin in 2004 by foto di matti (www.foto-di-matti.com)
In this, the audience is let into that sense of wonder about the act of making music. Part of the show in this song is being invited behind the curtain and into the world of the people who made the music we’re hearing, who are just as enthralled by it as we are. Whether we’re artists or audience, our attraction toward rhythm, melody, texture, and tone can’t be fully accounted for by any universal analysis. The appeal that those elements reveal to us when combined in seemingly endless ways transcends genre, culture, and era. It is interconnected to human experience itself, it seems. We are driven to make and enjoy music with likeminded people. We are motivated to seek it out from the artists we love, and to cherish it when we find it. No one really knows why or what the biological imperative is, if there even is one.
But, it’s not just about science anyway, I suspect. It’s more like alchemy. Music turns experiences, perceptions, and passions into something we can connect with and share with each other, greater than the sum of its parts. It really is as close to magic as we are likely to get.
“What does it all mean?”
Wonderfully, we don’t always know. And yet at the same time somewhere inside of us, we do.
De La Soul is an active crew today and still with the original three members; Pos, Dave, and Maseo. They’ve recently embarked on a Kickstarter campaign to fund their next album. You can learn more, and donate too, on this page right here.
[UPDATE: June 14, 2016] De La Soul have reached their goal in financing their new record. It’s called And The Anonymous Nobody, to be released on August 26, 2016. For more information about the new record, which features contributions from Snoop Dogg, and Damon Albarn, take a look right here.
In De La Soul's case, the significance of three goes beyond religious beliefs. Three is a recurring theme in their music, album titles, and song lyrics. Their debut album, "Three Feet High and Rising," released in 1989, is considered a landmark in hip-hop history. It showcased their unique style and introduced a new sound to the genre. One of De La Soul's most famous songs, "Me Myself and I," also emphasizes the power of three. The lyrics explore the idea of self-identity and how we are influenced by the world around us. They suggest that we need to find our own individuality amidst the chaos of society. The idea of three as a magical numeral can be interpreted in different ways. Some may see it as a symbol of completeness or balance, as three is often associated with triangles and triangles are considered stable shapes. Others may see it as a representation of the mind, body, and soul, the three fundamental aspects of human existence. Overall, De La Soul's emphasis on the number three in their music reflects their desire to explore deeper meanings and challenge conventional wisdom. Through their lyrics and artistic choices, they encourage listeners to think outside the box and embrace the magic of three..
Reviews for "The Cultural Significance of De La Soul's "Three" Trilogy"
1. John - 2/5
De La Soul's "Three is the Magic Number" was a huge disappointment for me. As a long-time fan of the group, I was expecting their signature smooth and soulful sound, but this album fell flat. The production felt rushed and lacking in creativity, with generic beats that failed to captivate me. The lyrics also felt uninspired and lacked the depth and thoughtfulness I had come to expect from De La Soul. Overall, "Three is the Magic Number" failed to live up to the group's previous work and left me wanting more.
2. Emily - 2/5
I was really hoping that "Three is the Magic Number" would live up to the hype, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The album lacked the cohesiveness that made De La Soul's previous works so enjoyable. The songs lacked a clear direction and seemed to be a mishmash of different styles and influences. Additionally, the lyrics felt shallow and lacked the clever wordplay that De La Soul is known for. Overall, "Three is the Magic Number" left me disappointed and longing for the days when De La Soul was at the top of their game.
3. Mark - 1/5
I couldn't even finish listening to "Three is the Magic Number." This album felt like a complete departure from what De La Soul is known for. The experimental direction they took with the production was a miss for me, and the result was a jumbled mess of disjointed sounds. The lyrics, which are usually a highlight of De La Soul's music, were unremarkable and forgettable. I was expecting more from a group with such a solid discography, but "Three is the Magic Number" left me feeling confused and unsatisfied.