Celebrating the 35th anniversary of one of the most impactful debut Hip-Hop albums of all-time, De La Soul performed “Eye Know” live on Thursday, March 7 on Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Mixing it up with two pots in place of turntables, Maseo (Vincent “Maseo” Mason), Kelvin “Posdnuos” Mercer (Plug One) were joined by producer of 3 Feet High and Rising, Prince Paul, in place of the late David “Trugoy the Dove” Jolicoeur.
The trio proceeded to cook up a 35-year-old dish, introduced as the iconic “Eye Know” off 1989’s 3 Feet High and Rising.
Starting off with a whistle (“(Sittin on) the Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding) and some beats (“Get Out of My Life, Woman” by Lee Dorsey, “Sing a Simple Song” by Sly Stone), Posnudos continued to cook, adding in some pegs (Steely Dan’s “Peg”), saxophone (from Kenny G), guitar and horns (from “Make This Young Lady Mine” by The Mad Lads), and finally, Donald Fagen (vocals on “Peg”).
Craftily taking a moment as Fagen sang “Smile for the camera” to take a group photo with the audience, Posnudos walked out in front of the table to rap the lyrics that put De La Soul at the forefront of late 80s Hip Hop, providing influence to more than a generation of aspiring musicians.
The performance, an instant classic for Late Show, was also a subtle nod to the legal issues that prevented much of De La Soul’s catalog from being released on streaming services. In detailing every sample that went into making “Eye Know,” the group made light of the struggle that was faced in today’s music industry, as well as a look behind the curtain as to how how a true classic was first formed.
Watch De La Soul perform “Eye Know” below.
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