About this episodeMacio from De La Soul discusses his journey from a bullied child in Brooklyn to becoming a hip-hop legend, det…AI summary
Macio from De La Soul discusses his journey from a bullied child in Brooklyn to becoming a hip-hop legend, detailing the group's formation, their innovative sampling techniques, and the business decisions that led to their independence. He shares specific anecdotes about recording classics like 'Me, Myself and I' and 'Feel Good Inc.', the trauma of losing Dave 'Ruckus' Mercer, and the strategic use of Kickstarter to maintain creative control.
Key takeaways 6
De La Soul's formation began in summer school in 1985 where Macio, Posdnuos, and Dave 'Ruckus' Mercer bonded over music, eventually recruiting Trugoy the Dove after seeing his poetry and freestyle skills.
Macio overcame severe vocal insecurities by recording with alcohol to lower inhibitions and relying on the encouragement of his bandmates who recognized his talent before he did.
The group's signature humor and joy were a deliberate artistic choice to counter the aggressive 'hard' image of 1989-1990 hip-hop, a strategy that initially confused audiences but ultimately defined their legacy.
Macio pioneered early sampling techniques using a guitar looper pedal and SK1/SK5 samplers, often manually triggering loops to stay in time rather than using sequencers.
De La Soul utilized Kickstarter to raise approximately $130,000 (surpassing $600,000) to fund their album 'Everybody's Everything' independently, avoiding unfavorable label deals and retaining ownership of their masters.
The group's collaboration with The Gorillands on 'Feel Good Inc.' was accidental; Dave Mercer began rapping over the beat while high, inspired by hearing Doodle Brown, creating one of the most iconic tracks of the 2000s.
Notable quotes 5AI-generated: wording and quote attribution may be wrong. Use the play link to verify.
“I never really liked my voice. I really didn't, honestly. ... I think I sound goofy. ... Drinking 40s was the courage. Alcohol lessens your inhibitions.”
▶ 3:58Macio explains his initial reluctance to rap and how he used alcohol to overcome his stage fright and vocal insecurities during early De La Soul recordings.
“No idea is a bad idea. We have to try everything. That's how he [Posdnuos] operated.”
▶ 1:09:37Macio describes Posdnuos's producer mindset during the creation of '3 Feet High and Rising', highlighting the experimental nature of their work.
“We truly love each other, man. ... It's always going to be some kind of conflict, some kind of confrontation. It's how you get through it, man.”
▶ 2:17:18Reflecting on the group's dynamic and the grief following Dave Mercer's death, Macio emphasizes that their bond is familial and resilient despite internal conflicts.
“I'm still mourning, bro. I'm still mourning. ... It hits me different every day. ... I miss my dude man. I miss him. You know this a life partner.”
▶ 2:14:09Macio opens up about the ongoing grief process after the death of his bandmate Dave 'Ruckus' Mercer in 2022.
“If I ain't feeling it, I ain't feeling it, right? ... Right, wrong, or indifferent, I'mma speak my mind.”
▶ 1:49:34Macio explains his honest approach to collaborations, such as with The Gorillands, refusing to participate in projects that don't resonate with him creatively.
Chapters & Sections (68)▼
0:00Macio's Vocal Insecurities and De La Soul's Early Successchapter2
2:08DJ Mic Time and Intro Stanzas
4:22Recording Process and Studio Habits
6:58De La Soul's lyrical influence and childhoodchapter1
9:57Maseo's Brooklyn Birth and Volatile Childhood
11:17Early DJ Setup and NYC Blackout Memorieschapter1
13:18Williamsburg and Bushwick Neighborhood Changes
15:21Childhood Bullying and Boxing Defensechapter1
18:10Video Game Fight and Spike Belt
19:58Bushwick Park Memories and Long Island Transitionchapter3
21:55Wrestling Skills and Musical Memories
23:17First DJ Equipment Experience
24:48James Brown's Enduring Influence on Hip Hop
27:22Early DJing and Opening Song Strategychapter2
28:58DJing Adrenaline and Highs and Lows
30:49DJ Warm-Up Routine and Song Selection
33:00DJ Track Selection and Eclectic Pressurechapter1
35:02DJ Evolution and Eclectic Playstyle
37:55DJ Touring History and Vinyl Anxietychapter2
40:17Vinyl Crate Evolution and 45s Nostalgia
42:23Managing Vinyl Skip Anxiety on Stage
44:24Beacon Theater Nightmare and Mos Def Discoverychapter3
46:07Mercedes Balloons and Stage Sound Importance
48:00Discovering Mos Def Through Poetry
50:08Mos Def's Hidden Acting Roles
53:13De La Soul Formation and Early Hip Hop Connectionschapter2
54:56De La Soul Formation and Early Struggles
56:49Herb Rooney's Influence and Surrogate Family
57:52Early Hip-Hop Connections and Equipment Theftchapter2
59:37Encountering Impersonators of MC Shan and BDP
1:01:16Equipment Theft and Practice Location
1:03:02Black Music Laughter Study and De La Soul Skitschapter2
1:04:23Ironic Laughter in Black Music History
1:07:04De La Soul Improvisational Skit Creation
1:09:48De La Soul's DIY Production and 80s Fashionchapter2
1:11:29De La Soul's 80s Fashion and Style Origins
1:13:3680s Fashion Evolution and DIY Style
1:15:35Analog Splicing and Harmonizer Techniqueschapter2
1:17:28Analog Tape Splicing Challenges
1:19:10Bob Dylan's Role and Instrumental Rhyming
1:21:10Stasonic Legacy and Record Digging Culturechapter1
1:23:37Studio Skits and Record Digging Adventures
1:26:29Hip Hop Sampling Culture and Creative Processchapter4
1:28:03Double Groove Innovation and Sampling Competition
1:29:39Struggles Sampling Knee Deep in Hip Hop
1:31:56Industry Expectations and Sampling Uncertainty
1:34:46Targeting Black Radio with Hip Hop
1:36:27De La Soul Studio Process and Nitro Tour Memorieschapter1
1:39:45Tour Camaraderie and Detroit Incident
1:42:32Adapting to Audiences and Gorillas Collaborationchapter1
1:45:53Connecting with Damon Albarn and Dan Deacon
1:47:18Origin of Feel Good Inc. and Signature Laughchapter2
1:49:51Dave's Weed Session Inspires Feel Good Inc Lyrics
1:51:26Origin and Evolution of Signature Laugh
1:53:27De La Soul Business Growth and Kickstarterchapter1
1:55:36Navigating Music Business and Brotherhood Dynamics
1:58:27De La Soul Kickstarter Strategy and Successchapter3
2:00:05Kickstarter Budget and Reward Structure
2:01:31Crowdfunding Strategy and Reciprocity
2:03:38Kickstarter Success and Future Projects
2:05:04Stolen Truck and De La Soul Album Favoriteschapter1
2:06:52De La Soul Album Favorites and Production
2:09:34Hip-Hop Sampling Techniques and Griefchapter5
2:11:16Evolution of Sampling Equipment and Techniques
2:12:32Processing Grief and Loss of Manager
2:15:09Navigating Friendship and Business Tensions
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