5 Things to Know About De La Soul Is Dead

  1. It was released on May 14, 1991, by Tommy Boy Records and Warner Bros. Records.
  2. The album marked a deliberate shift away from the playful “Daisy Age” image of their debut.
  3. Its cover art and title directly confront the idea that the group’s earlier style was dead.
  4. The album is a concept record, using skits and songs to tell a cohesive story about hip-hop’s state.
  5. It is widely considered a classic, praised for its dark, complex themes and production.