De La Soul's Pos has shared an honest playlist, revealing the songs that shaped his life, from Barry White for romantic moments to a secret fondness for a Heart classic.
Early Musical Influences
Pos's first musical love came from his father, who sang in a choir and would walk around singing Al Green's Love and Happiness. Pos recalls that because his father looked so much like Al Green on the cover, he actually thought his father was the singer.
His first single purchase was Underlove by Melba Moore, bought from Abraham & Straus, a department store in Long Island with a mini record store inside. He later realised it was produced by Kashif, and he would fall in love with everything Kashif produced.
Favourite Songs and Karaoke Choices
For karaoke, Pos would like to try Everybody Wants to Rule the World or Shout by Tears for Fears. He considers All I Do by Stevie Wonder the best song to play at a party, noting you can see its impact on people's faces as a classic piece of soul music.
Despite being an MC, Pos says lyrics have never been a big thing for him. He can tell every drop and hi-hat in a track, but he is amazed by artists like Mos Def, Black Thought, or Gorillaz who seemingly remember lyrics to every song. He can just about remember Top Billin' by Audio Two.
Personal Connections and Secret Picks
Pos doesn't fall out of love with songs, though some get played too much. He usually grows back in love with them and declined to name any, joking that they might come and beat him up. He secretly plays These Dreams by Heart in his dressing room when he thinks no one is listening, as it reminds him of the big hair era.
He starts his day with Lovely Day by Bill Withers, having even used it as his alarm at 6am. The song that changed his life was Planet Rock by Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force, heard while living in the Bronx. He remembers saying "What the fuck is this?" and his mom telling him off for cursing.
Romantic and Emotional Tracks
For romantic moments, Pos recommends any Barry White record or Let's Get It On by Marvin Gaye, but he has never tried making love to his own music. He tears up hearing Stevie Wonder's I Love Every Little Thing About You, which expresses a love that puts the other person before everything except God.
For his funeral, Pos would choose I Am I Be by De La Soul. Stakes Is High, remixed by J Dilla and featuring Mos Def and Truth Enola, and Cabin in the Sky, the band's ninth studio album, are both out now.
