De La Soul ‘Exploring Legal Options’ After Publication of ‘Unauthorized’ Book

Veteran hip-hop group De La Soul has publicly criticized a new unauthorized book about their career, titled High And Rising: A Book About De La Soul, written by Marcus J. Moore. Taking to social media, the iconic trio expressed their disapproval of the publication and revealed they are “exploring legal options” in response.

The Controversial Release

High And Rising was released on November 19, 2024, and aims to explore De La Soul's legacy as a seminal force in hip-hop. Author Marcus J. Moore, known for his previous work The Butterfly Effect: How Kendrick Lamar Ignited the Soul of Black America (2020), described his motivation for writing about De La Soul as rooted in addressing underrepresented subjects in literature.

The publisher’s synopsis frames the book as a celebration of the group’s cultural impact:

“The first book about De La Soul, High and Rising shows that De La Soul is Black history, American history, world history, our history. This is a tale about staying the course, and how holding true to your virtue can lead to dynamic results.”

Despite the positive framing, De La Soul has vehemently rejected the book.

De La Soul’s Response

In a statement posted to their social media accounts, De La Soul clarified that they had no involvement in the creation of the book:

“We want to make it absolutely clear: this is an unauthorized book, and we are not connected to it in any way.”

The group emphasized their commitment to controlling their own narrative, referencing their long-standing battle for ownership of their music catalog:

“For years, you’ve stood with us in our fight for ownership of our catalog and the right to benefit from the music we created. That same dedication to protecting what’s ours extends to being the ones who tell OUR story—something deeply personal and ‘De La’ to the core.”

They encouraged fans to support projects that are officially backed by the group and criticized the book's inauthenticity, pointing out even its title lacked the symbolic "3" from their iconic phrase, "Three is the magic number."

Fan Reactions and Legal Considerations

The post also hinted at potential legal action:

“We are exploring all of our legal options.”

Fans reacted with mixed feelings. While some supported the group’s stance, others expressed disappointment and encouraged De La Soul to reconsider their position, praising Moore's work as thoughtful and respectful.

Looking Ahead: New Projects

De La Soul ended their statement by teasing an upcoming project slated for Spring 2025, fueling anticipation among fans.

De La Soul: A Legacy of Innovation

Formed in 1988, De La Soul became a defining voice in hip-hop with their debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising (1989), which peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard 200 and remains a landmark in the genre. Over their career, the group released nine albums, with their most recent, And the Anonymous Nobody... (2016), reaching No. 9 on the Billboard 200.

In 2023, De La Soul finally secured their catalog’s availability on streaming platforms after a lengthy legal battle, marking a major victory in their fight for artists’ rights. However, this milestone was bittersweet, as founding member Trugoy the Dove (Dave Jolicoeur) passed away just weeks before the achievement.

Conclusion

De La Soul’s response to High And Rising highlights their ongoing dedication to preserving their legacy and ensuring their story is told on their own terms. As fans await their next creative project, the controversy around this unauthorized biography serves as a reminder of the complexities artists face in protecting their cultural contributions.