De La Soul Releases Final AOI Physical Albums
‘Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump’ & ‘AOI: Bionix’ Today
DE LA SOUL RELEASES FINAL AOI PHYSICAL ALBUMS:
‘ART OFFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: MOSAIC THUMP’ & ‘AOI: BIONIX’
Exclusive merchandise is also available for purchase today on wearedelasoul.com
NEW YORK, NY (August 11, 2023) – De La Soul is thrilled to announce the release of the highly anticipated physical albums Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump and AOI: Bionix, accompanied by additional exclusive merchandise available today on the band’s website.
The albums of the “Art Official Intelligence” or AOI series were landmark releases in De La Soul’s musical journey, garnering acclaim for their experimental compositions and thought-provoking lyrics. With the unveiling of the final two albums from this illustrious series, De La Soul once again proves why they remain one of the most influential and enduring forces in hip-hop.
Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump, originally released on August 8, 2000, features an impressive lineup of guests, including Redman, Tash, J-Ro of Tha Liks, Xzibit, Busta Rhymes, Mike D and Ad Rock of the Beastie Boys, Busy Bee, Freddie Foxxx, and Chaka Khan. The album marked De La Soul’s triumphant return to the charts with hit singles “Oooh” and “All Good?”. “Oooh” received a nomination for a Source Award, as well as a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.
AOI: Bionix, De La Soul’s sixth full-length album, which was originally released on December 4, 2001, features a dynamic mix of collaborations, including “Baby Phat” with Yummy Bingham and Devin the Dude, and “Held Down” with Cee-Lo, where Posdnuos delves into introspective themes like fatherhood, religion, and fame. Notably, the album also includes “What We Do (For Love)” featuring Slick Rick, a humorous song about puberty and sexual discovery. The album’s songs are also interspersed with skits with Reverend Do Good that provide additional social commentary and act as intros and outros. Notably, the final Reverend Do Good skit features an intriguing reference to Ghost Weed, tying back to De La Soul’s previous album, Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump. The song “Peer Pressure,” with a captivating intro and outro by J Dilla, celebrates the marijuana-themed track produced by the legendary artist.
De La Soul recently released the fan favorite “Buddy (Native Tongue Decision)” remix on all streaming platforms. Originally released as a 12” remix in 1989, was produced by Prince Paul and features A Tribe Called Quest, Queen Latifah, Monie Love, and Jungle Brothers to all streaming partners. Stream & watch the original music video here.
De La Soul is currently gearing up for their electrifying performances on the LL Cool J F.O.R.C.E Live tour and Wu-Tang Clan and Nas: NY State of Mind tour later this month. Fans can expect a fusion of classic hits and fresh tunes from the AOI series, promising an unforgettable experience for attendees.
Furthermore, De La Soul fans can now access exclusive merchandise on the band’s website, with offerings complementing the AOI music and providing a more intimate connection to the group’s artistic vision.
The albums Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump and AOI: Bionix mark the culmination of De La Soul’s remarkable journey, and they express heartfelt gratitude to their loyal supporters who have accompanied them throughout this extraordinary adventure. This release strengthens the enduring bond between De La Soul and their dedicated fans, continuing to fuel the group’s creative passion and musical innovation.
To buy & listen to AOI: Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump, click here.
To buy& listen to AOI: Bionix, click here.
To buy merch, click here.
About De La Soul
De La Soul is a New York based trio whose members Posdnuos, Trugoy, and Maseo created the hip-hop masterpiece 3 Feet High and Rising, initially released on March 3, 1989. The group is best known for their eclectic and innovative sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of jazz rap and alternative hip-hop subgenres. The band won the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Collaboration for their song “Feel Good Inc.” with The Gorillaz in 2005. In 2015, De La Soul raised over $600,000 on Kickstarter from fans to independently release their album And the Anonymous Nobody…, which was their first #1 on the Rap Albums chart and was also nominated for a Best Rap Album Grammy.
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