Three feet high and still rising

KELVIN Mercer, aka Posdnuos, had no idea.

“When we recorded 3 Feet High and Rising we never guessed it would have the impact it did,” says the De La Soul rapper. “We were just happy to make a record. None of us expected it would take on a life of its own. I continue to be astonished.”

Released in 1989, 3 Feet High And Rising was immediately iconic. At the time hip-hop was still a young genre. Nonetheless, it was clear the Long Island trio had struck upon a unique formula. Their music did not celebrate aggression or casual misogyny. It was melodic and upbeat. Rap was often angry and political. De La Soul were the exact opposite.