Iconic hip-hop group De La Soul released Cabin in the Sky, their first full-length album in nearly a decade and their first since the passing of founding member David “Trugoy the Dove” Jolicoeur in 2023. The album arrives as a heartfelt and creatively ambitious tribute, marking a major moment in the evolution of one of hip-hop’s most influential groups.
The project centers around the Pete Rock–produced lead single “The Package,” which was released a day prior and immediately drew praise for its soulful production and reflective lyrics. The track, like much of the album, weaves together the past and present, using unreleased vocals from Trugoy alongside new contributions from remaining members Kelvin “Posdnuos” Mercer and Vincent “Maseo” Mason. The result is a work that feels both like a farewell and a reintroduction—honoring the legacy of the late MC while showing that De La Soul still has something urgent to say.
Cabin in the Sky features 20 tracks and includes an array of high-profile guest appearances, signaling the group’s continued relevance in a contemporary hip-hop landscape. Collaborators include Nas, Common, Killer Mike, Black Thought, and Yukimi Nagano of Little Dragon, among others. Production credits also span other luminaries in the genre, such as DJ Premier and Super Dave, complementing Pete Rock’s foundational work on the album.
From its title alone, the album hints at deeper themes. Cabin in the Sky not only references the 1943 African-American musical of the same name but also evokes imagery of transcendence, spiritual elevation, and refuge. These motifs permeate the album’s lyrics and sonic choices, blending elements of jazz, soul, and boom-bap into a deeply textured soundscape. The group has said the project was created in part as a way of processing grief and embracing the joy and influence Trugoy left behind. In doing so, it becomes not just an album, but a tribute—both solemn and celebratory.
For Posdnuos and Maseo, continuing De La Soul without Trugoy was a decision made carefully and intentionally. In interviews leading up to the release, Posdnuos described the process as one filled with emotion but also one that brought a sense of healing. He emphasized that Trugoy’s presence was felt throughout the recording and that the inclusion of his unreleased verses was not just an artistic choice but a spiritual necessity. The goal, they’ve said, was to make an album that Trugoy would have been proud of—an album that reflects the love, complexity, and creativity that defined their collective dynamic.
Fans have long awaited new material from De La Soul, especially following years of battles over digital rights that kept their earlier catalog off streaming platforms until 2023. That delay had, for some time, muted their ability to connect with new generations of listeners. However, their return to streaming platforms brought renewed attention to the trio’s legacy and introduced their groundbreaking albums—such as 3 Feet High and Rising and Stakes Is High—to younger audiences. Now, with Cabin in the Sky, the group builds on that legacy while expanding its emotional range and artistic ambition.
Critics have described the album as deeply personal, yet accessible. The lyrical content tackles mortality, legacy, community, and resilience, yet never falls into sentimentality or self-pity. Instead, it pulses with energy and clarity—a testament to the group’s ability to evolve while remaining true to their original ethos of creativity and consciousness.
The release of Cabin in the Sky is also part of a broader celebration of East Coast hip-hop, supported by Mass Appeal’s “Legend Has It” series. This initiative aims to highlight foundational artists who helped shape the genre’s evolution, and De La Soul’s inclusion underscores their status as trailblazers in the alternative hip-hop movement. Their early work helped pioneer the use of eclectic samples, jazz-inflected beats, and socially conscious lyrics, setting them apart from their peers and influencing generations of artists across genres.
In the wake of Trugoy’s passing, Cabin in the Sky serves not only as a musical statement but also as a cultural and emotional one. It reaffirms De La Soul’s position as artists capable of both innovation and introspection. It also offers fans—old and new—a chance to experience the group in full form, even in the absence of one of its key voices.
With Cabin in the Sky, De La Soul offers a powerful meditation on grief, brotherhood, and the enduring power of music. It’s a work that honors the past without being trapped by it, and one that looks forward without forgetting the people and principles that brought them this far. For fans, the album is more than just a return; it’s a gift, a tribute, and a reminder of why De La Soul remains one of hip-hop’s most vital voices.