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May 13th – De La Soul released their much-anticipated sophomore album “De La Soul Is Dead” on Tommy Boy Records, on this day in 1991.

The album was the follow-up to their groundbreaking debut “3 Feet High And Rising”, which was released in 1989. “3 Feet High And Rising” was labeled “hippie-ish” and “flower powered”, although it actually dealt with serious subject matter such as drug abuse, poverty and individualism.

The album cover for “De La Soul Is Dead”, which depicted a broken flower pot, was further evidence of the group’s desire to escape the image pinned on them from “3 Feet High And Rising.”

This time around, De La Soul changed nothing, again pushing the boundaries even further with songs like “Millie Pulled A Pistol On Santa”, about incest and “Fanatic Of The B Word”, a track about police brutality.

“De La Soul Is Dead” also contained the smash hits “Ring, Ring, Ring (Ha Ha Hey)”, “A Roller Skating Jam Named Saturdays” and “Keepin’ The Faith.”

Guests on “De La Soul Is Dead” included Q-Tip, Black Sheep and hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons.

The album, like its celebrated predecessor, also featured a follow-along comic book compatible with the set’s skits in the liner notes.

“De La Soul Is Dead” received 5 mics in The Source Magazine and is considered by critics and fans alike as one of hip-hop, and popular music’s, greatest albums ever.