Editor’s Note: The Albumism staff has selected what we believe to be the 110 Best Albums of the 2010s, representing a varied cross-section of artists, genres, and styles. Click “Next Album” below to explore each album in the list or for easier navigation, view the full introduction & album index here.
DE LA SOUL | And the Anonymous Nobody…
A.O.I./Kobalt (2016)
Selected by Terry Nelson
De La Soul’s ninth studio LP And the Anonymous Nobody… marks a return from a twelve-year hiatus that included numerous side projects and legal disputes over cleared samples, which rendered them practically unknown entities to a new generation of hip-hop fans. To combat this, they released their entire catalog for free on their website, giving an opportunity to many to hear what this group was all about.
Fast forward to 2016’s released of And the Anonymous Nobody, which confirms what many of us who knew them from the beginning already knew. They are who we thought they were. This long overdue release cements their status as one of the most innovative and influential hip-hop acts of all time. The skillful combination of various collaborators from many different genres (Jill Scott, David Byrne, Snoop Dogg, Damon Albarn and 2Chainz) demonstrates the trio’s ability to make music that you swear would not work. On the contrary, De La’s music incorporates their guest artists’ aesthetic along with their vision to make a sound that is distinct yet familiar. It leaves you wanting more.
Highlights from this album are “Snoopies,”“Pain,” and “Memory of (US)” featuring Estelle and Pete Rock. History will treat De La Soul’s And the Anonymous Nobody very kindly. Give a listen, please.
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