De La Soul’s legendary hit “3 Feet High and Rising” was selected to be one of 25 records to be entered into the National Recording Registry. The 1989 classic was selected along with 25 other records this year to be preserved in the library along with Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together.” Congratulations to De La Soul on receiving this honor! Read more after the jump.

@Julie1205

The Library of Congress has announced the 25 records that the research library will be selecting for preservation in the National Recording Registry, and this year’s group includes a hip-hop favorite: De La Soul’s 1989 classic, ‘3 Feet High and Rising.’

The preserved 25 recordings cover a vast range of styles, including whole albums and single songs from a 1934 Roy Rogers cowboy tune, ‘Tumbling Tumbleweeds,’ and Blind Willie Johnson’s 1908 version of ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame’ to Al Green’s ‘Let’s Stay Together’ and underwater recordings of humpback whales.

Interestingly, De La’s ‘3 Feet High and Rising’ album is connected to another record on the Library of Congress’ list: the groundbreaking 1977 jazz-rock fusion album ‘Aja’ by Steely Dan, which features the song ‘Peg,’ a tune which De La producer Prince Paul sampled on one of their ‘3 Feet High’ singles, ‘Eye Know.’

De La Soul’s seminal debut ‘3 Feet High and Rising’ introduced the Long Island rap group to the world with the ubiquitous party anthem ‘Me Myself and I,’ and remains one of hip-hop’s most beloved releases.

 

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