The "Magic Number" is a song by the innovative hip-hop group De La Soul. Known for their unique sound and eccentric lyrics, De La Soul's "Magic Number" stands out as a memorable track in their discography. Released in 1989 as part of their debut album "3 Feet High and Rising," the song encapsulates the group's alternative approach to hip-hop and showcases their ability to blend various musical genres. The main idea behind "Magic Number" is the concept of unity and the power of numbers. The lyrics emphasize the importance of collaboration and working together to achieve a common goal. This notion is evident in the catchy chorus, which repeats the phrase "Three is a magic number.
The charm bore a curse, a far more dangerous one than the impish yet harmless shadow. The spectrel offering it had been trying for a while to craft charms capable of holding the curses of the gods, each and every attempt failing as miserably as the previous one. Trying to get rid of the faulty charms was far easier than creating them, and Soren just so happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, desperate enough to try something that would do more harm than good.
Born in a proud clan of strong warriors as one of the potential successors to the leader, Soren grew up in a disciplined and very methodical environment, where harsh training since a tender age was the norm and there was no place for childish games and silly antics. Tired of trying to redeem himself for something he didn t even choose and hearing everyone talking behind his back about his so-called curse, he simply decided to pack up his few belongings and find a permanent solution.
This notion is evident in the catchy chorus, which repeats the phrase "Three is a magic number." The song draws inspiration from the Schoolhouse Rock! song "Three Is a Magic Number," written by Bob Dorough in the 1970s. De La Soul incorporates elements of funk, jazz, and psychedelic music, creating a unique and eclectic sound that became synonymous with their style.
Playlist
Quiet and reserved, Soren is not the most social guy, preferring to keep to himself rather than socializing or even just holding the shortest conversation with someone. Doesn't help that his social skills are next to non existent as well. Generally distrusting of people, he takes a while to warm up to others, hardly considering anyone a friend, thinking he himself doesn't deserve or need them after years of hell back at the clan's village. Even when he does get close enough to someone to befriend them, he's very awkward and struggling to socialize, preferring to stay quiet and let them do the talking. He's just that awful at small talk. Or talk in general.
His shadow, Dusk, is the total opposite of him. Friendly, outgoing, cheerful, childish and immature, Soren is always struggling to keep him under control and making him behave. Dusk is pretty much the little brother he never asked for but will protect anyways.
Trivia- After some time they decided to name his shadow Dusk. Dusk was pretty happy with the new name.
- Dusk feels somewhat cold to the touch.
- Soren tends to tell others that he's cursed as it usually helps to keep them away with fear.
- Dusk doesn't talk, mostly expressing itself with giggles and other noises.
- As a child, since he hated Dusk so much and then almost blinded himself with his own powers, he always avoided using them. Now he has little to no control over his spectra powers.
- Tattoo spectra: sensory manipulation - can manipulate the senses of others and/or his own.
- Shadow spectra: cloaking - can make himself or others go unnoticed in plain sight or harder to detect (not invisible). Is stronger if used in the shadows.
- Eye aura spectra (cursed form): detection - can sense living beings around him without having to see them even if they're hidden.
- Naps
- Quiet places
- Being bothered (especially by Aster)
- Excessive cold or heat
- Dusk acting up
- Samael
Born in a proud clan of strong warriors as one of the potential successors to the leader, Soren grew up in a disciplined and very methodical environment, where harsh training since a tender age was the norm and there was no place for childish games and silly antics. The once high expectations put on him fell apart as soon as his spectra manifested, far too soon for an unprepared child. His shadow had come to life, a spectra long considered a bad omen among the clan, soon making him an outcast among his own, branding him as a cursed child. As if that wasn’t enough, it had a mind of its own, the complete opposite of Soren: childish, immature, irresponsible, always up to mischief and never listening to a word Soren said.
All his attempts to get the mischievous shadow under control only resulted in more and more trouble, further feeding into the now painfully common belief that he was truly cursed and would only bring disgrace and eventually even death to the clan.
After yet another failed attempt, Soren was, to put it mildly, fed up with everything. Tired of trying to redeem himself for something he didn’t even choose and hearing everyone talking behind his back about his so-called curse, he simply decided to pack up his few belongings and find a permanent solution.
For once, it seemed that luck was finally on his side, as he found a spectrel willing to help him, offering a charm that was supposed to get the shadow under control and finally making it behave. With his judgement still clouded by the hate of his clan, he didn’t think twice of accepting, caring little for the consequences. Until it was too late.
The charm bore a curse, a far more dangerous one than the impish yet harmless shadow. The spectrel offering it had been trying for a while to craft charms capable of holding the curses of the gods, each and every attempt failing as miserably as the previous one. Trying to get rid of the faulty charms was far easier than creating them, and Soren just so happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, desperate enough to try something that would do more harm than good.
The faulty charm he had been offered turned him into a demon, a beast incapable of thinking, attacking anything in sight without a care. When he came to his senses as the transformation faded away, the woods that once surrounded him had been destroyed, the flawed charm laying broken at his feet, and the spectrel nowhere in sight.
In his panic, he couldn’t think clearly, rushing back to the clan as fast as his feet would allow him, hoping against all better judgement that someone, anyone would be able to help him. Going back was even more foolish than leaving in the first place.
As soon as they found out about the new curse, the elders decided it was too much of a risk to even try and help a child already doomed long ago. Soren was quickly sentenced to death.
Faced with the guards, the demon surfaced again, called by the intense fear, hatred and anger lingering in the air. When the guards attacked, it didn’t hesitate to retaliate in self-defense, lashing out with all its might and violence despite being so heavily outmatched and outnumbered. Only when it was painfully clear that staying and fighting would result in its death did the demon finally decide to run away, its newfound strength quickly carrying it far enough to be safe from its attackers.
Soren woke up in a dark and cold cave to his shadow sitting next to him, keeping careful watch for any sign of danger. It was the first time he didn’t see its playful grin, replaced by a worried and almost terrified expression. It was also the first time in years that Soren allowed himself to cry again, his shadow quietly offering any comfort it could.
Once recovered from that fateful event, Soren steeled himself for what would come next. Having already been tricked and betrayed twice, he wouldn’t let it happen again, even if it meant not trusting anyone ever again. It shouldn’t be so hard when he was used to being alone already, right? No matter how much his stubborn shadow disagreed with him, it was the safest course of action. Then came finding a way to get rid of the curse, to get back some sort of normalcy in his life.
And if they still wanted to call him cursed, to cast him away as if he was poison, why try to change anyone’s mind? It’s far easier to carry the label like the burden it was, to keep everyone away for his own sake.
Before he could even realize it, the curse he used to fear became his shield from the world.
Quiet and reserved, Soren is not the most social guy, preferring to keep to himself rather than socializing or even just holding the shortest conversation with someone. Doesn't help that his social skills are next to non existent as well. Generally distrusting of people, he takes a while to warm up to others, hardly considering anyone a friend, thinking he himself doesn't deserve or need them after years of hell back at the clan's village. Even when he does get close enough to someone to befriend them, he's very awkward and struggling to socialize, preferring to stay quiet and let them do the talking. He's just that awful at small talk. Or talk in general.
In addition to its musical composition, the song's lyrics also carry significant meaning. De La Soul uses clever wordplay and rhymes to convey messages of positivity, individuality, and cultural awareness. Their lyrics provide social commentary, touching on topics such as racial inequality, consumerism, and the struggle for self-expression. "Magic Number" not only showcases De La Soul's artistic abilities but also highlights their commitment to pushing the boundaries of hip-hop. The song's innovative production, thought-provoking lyrics, and unique blend of musical genres solidify De La Soul's status as pioneers in the genre. Overall, "Magic Number" by De La Soul is a noteworthy song that encapsulates the group's alternative approach to hip-hop. With its catchy chorus, thought-provoking lyrics, and eclectic sound, the song remains a standout track in their extensive discography. It continues to be celebrated as a testament to the group's musical innovation and their ability to inspire unity through the power of numbers..
Reviews for "The Mathematical Magic Behind De La Soul's Signature Number"
1. John Doe - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Magic number de la soul". The production felt lackluster and the lyrics didn't resonate with me at all. It felt like they were trying too hard to be experimental, but it just didn't work for me. I'm a long-time fan of De La Soul and this album was a letdown compared to their previous work. I hope they can get back to their roots on their next release.
2. Jane Smith - 1/5 - I can't believe how much I disliked "Magic number de la soul". It was a mess from start to finish. The songs lacked cohesion and the overall flow of the album was all over the place. I expected so much more from De La Soul, but unfortunately, this album fell flat for me. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
3. Mike Johnson - 2/5 - As a fan of De La Soul, I was really hoping to love "Magic number de la soul", but it just didn't do it for me. The beats were forgettable and the lyrics were underwhelming. It felt like they were trying too hard to be different, but it ended up feeling forced and inauthentic. I'm holding out hope that their next album will be a return to form.
4. Sarah Thompson - 3/5 - I was slightly disappointed with "Magic number de la soul". While there were a few standout tracks, overall, the album didn't live up to my expectations. It lacked the creativity and energy that I love from De La Soul. However, I still appreciate their unique style and will continue to support them in the future.