Guardian Music — Guardian and Observer writers are picking their favourite albums – with a view that you might do the same. Here, Saptarshi Ray gets high on De La Soul's debutMy teenage years were a nightmare: cursed with a sunny disposition, easygoing nature and a... more info

Guardian Music — The man known to his mum as Dante Smith will start calling himself Yasiin next yearMos Def is to retire his long-time performing alias at the end of this year. "It's time to expand and move on," the rapper said, explaining that he will start calling ... more info

MVSW — De La Soul ~ “Eye Know” From back in 1989. 3 Feet High and Rising is easily one of the greatest albums of all time. Check the songs sampled on this track! Samples Lee Dorsey ~ “Get Out of My Life, Woman“ Sly & the Family Stone ~ “Sing a Sim... more info

Stereogum — The Less You Know, The Better, the long-gestating new album from veteran turntable traveler DJ Shadow, comes with a long, weird, and weirdly impressive list of collaborators: Talib Kweli, Little Dragon, De La Soul’s Posdnous, and, on “I’m Excit... more info

Music For Ants — Fleet Foxes are the youngest band ever to headline a night at Pitchfork Festival, a spot that’s usually reserved for esteemed, decade-spanning bands like Pavement, Flaming Lips, Sonic Youth, LCD Soundsystem, Spoon and De La Soul. They also mark the... more info

Gigwise — They're set to play last-minute slot... more info

The Hip Hop Chronicle — Two unreleased diss tracks from 2pac. The first track that features Daz Dillinger, Threat and Kurupt. Tribe, Mobb Deep and Jeru Da Damaja are some of the artists the late rapper takes shots at. Watch Ya Mouth takes aim at Biggie Smalls, Nas, De La So... more info

Guardian Music — From Marc Bolan to Nico to Buddy Holly, your list of favourite debut releases made for premier readingHow to begin? First impressions are very important. They can be make-or-break, though an artist may be lucky enough to have several cracks at the wh... more info

Guardian Music — The series which started with Cole Porter covers recognises Brazil's recognition as 'a major force in world affairs'In 1989, Leigh Blake and John Carlin were just two friends with a dream. In response to the effect of the Aids epidemic on NYC's artis... more info

Guardian Music — 1988-89: Number 17 in our series of the 50 key events in the history of dance musicConfusingly, the Second Summer of Love was really two summers. The first, 1988, was the warm-up as acid house graduated from hipster secret to the dominant sound of Br... more info