Every artist from any genre or era faces the same dilemma once a certain level of success is reached: Do they keep up the same sound that got them to their position in the first place or reinvent themselves in the pursuit of creative liberation? This transition can take years for an artist, but some allow their lofty visions to become an obsession, forcing them to reevaluate their approach to the art form. In terms of De La Soul, they decided every album they released should usher in a new era. The iconic Hip-hop trio comprised of Posdnuos, Maseo, and Trugoy The Dove have successfully entered the coveted stratosphere of timeless artists. Each album in their discography details their growth as artists in the same way you witness a character arc in a film or book. Such is the case for their underrated 2004 LP, The Grind Date, which celebrates its twentieth anniversary in 2024.
De La Soul’s seventh studio album was released on October 5, 2024, via the trio’s independent label. The fact that De La was able to release this album on their own is a major reason why this is such an essential release for the group. Being an independent release meant the trio could distribute the LP themselves, even to streaming services. At the time of The Grind Date’s release, it was the only official De La album that could be found widely across the internet, meaning that this LP could be responsible for introducing a younger generation to De La Soul. This is nothing compared to the first time you hear 3 Feet High and Rising or any of the other group’s classics, but its accessibility was crucial.
Outside of The Grind Date being readily available to the youth, it is another example of De La’s restless growth and creativity. The most notable difference between this outing and the trio’s previous releases is the lack of skits. Along with their soulful flows and innovative production, De La’s albums became known for their humorous skits that tie the narratives of their album together. Throughout 13 songs, The Grind Date never focuses on the ultimate goal of the LP: To prove that De La was more than what their repetition represented. The Grind Date is a gritty LP brimming with hard-hitting flows and neck-breaking drums, replacing their jazz influences with a more hardcore sound. The few features were also new for De La, allowing their chemistry to be put under the spotlight. The heat of the attention was no match for De La’s quick wit and masterful cadences.
The album was released to positive reviews, except for Rolling Stone, which gave The Grind Date only two out of five stars. This is the only review that placed the album under four stars, proving the risks were worth it. On paper, the wide acclaim should come as no surprise. The Grind Date credits is a whose-who of producers from the early 2000s, with beats from the likes of Madlib, J. Dilla, and Jake One aiding in the grimy soul of the album. The album’s few guest vocalists include fellow legends such as Common, Ghostface Killah, and MF DOOM.
After twenty years, it still feels like De La Soul’s seventh outing doesn’t get the respect it deserves. The Grind Date ushered yet another new era for De La Soul deep into their career, a testament to their unrelenting artistic approach. De La was able to keep one foot in their past while pushing the boundaries of their sound, creating dark sonic textures that juxtaposed the trio’s acrobatic vocals and poetic songwriting.
