Hip Hop was in the building at Webster Hall in New York City on Thursday night (March 2). Fans, friends and peers packed the famous venue for De La Soul and Amazon Music event, "The D.A.I.S.Y. Experience," ahead of the legendary group's first six albums finally going up on digital streaming services. Of course, the evening was bittersweet. Just three weeks ago, one-third of the trailblazing trio Trugoy The Dove died unexpectedly at 54, making their hard-won victory fall flat of the triumphant occasion it was meant to be.
Nevertheless, the makeshift memorial ushered in the likes of Chuck D, Common, Q-Tip, Pharoahe Monch, Kool DJ Red Alert, former Tommy Boy A&R Dante Ross, Dave Chappelle, Black Sheep's Dres, Queen Latifah and Monie Love, who were all there to show their love and support for De La Soul and, most importantly, their fallen friend.
Speaking to RAPstation, Ross—who just announced his first book, Son of the City—called the event "a spiritual experience" and declared it one of the "greatest" nights of his life (despite the circumstances). He followed up in a Twitter post, "I never went to college, I went to hip-hop, and all my classmates were there tonight. It was a love fest. The gamut of emotions I am experiencing is indescribable. If I could rewrite the ending of my book, it would end with tonight."
The event brought several hip-hop legends to the stage who joined Maseo and Posdnuos in music and warm embraces. One of the many highlights included Queen Latifah and Monie Love reuniting to perform a live rendition of their 1989 hit, "Ladies First." Latifah then went right into a snippet of "U.N.I.T.Y." The two shared a giant hug as Common sauntered onstage to perform "The Light."
Toward the end, Prince Paul—who produced the group's first three albums—watched as a tearful Maseo and stoic Pos expressed their gratitude for everyone who's helped them along the way. Watch the full video below.
