A revealing conversation with De La Soul turned into a masterclass on overlooked lyricists, complete with a nod to Eminem’s deep respect for hip hop history.
De La Soul continue to embrace a new era, but their reverence for hip hop’s roots remains unchanged. In their latest in-depth interview with Ambrosia For Heads, Posdnuos and Maseo reflect on their latest album, Cabin In The Sky, the influence of the late Trugoy the Dove, and how the group has evolved as artists, fathers, and men. The conversation is warm, honest, and filled with the kind of perspective only decades in the culture can provide.
They also deliver one of the interview’s most talked-about moments: naming four MCs they consider criminally underrated.
De La Soul Name Their Underrated MCs
Maseo begins with a clear pick: Masta Ace. He calls Ace “one of the most underrated MCs ever”, pointing to his long catalogue and steady evolution. Ace has remained sharp for decades, yet mainstream attention never matched his talent.
He then mentions King T and The D.O.C. Maseo notes that The D.O.C.’s technical brilliance changed the landscape of lyricism forever. His complex rhyme structures influenced an entire generation. He adds that if not for The D.O.C.’s tragic car accident, the Dallas artist would have pushed hip hop in new directions.
This leads to a memorable moment involving Eminem. The host recalls a teaser from the documentary where Eminem raps one of D.O.C.’s intricate patterns straight from memory. That shocked fans, and even shocked The D.O.C. himself. It showed how deeply Em studies the legends he admires.
Posdnuos continues the list by highlighting MCs who show longevity, craft, and focus. He singles out Royce 5’9 as a perfect example. He praises Royce’s consistency and talent, describing him as “bananas” in the booth.
Maseo adds that artists like Royce force fans to constantly update their lists. Someone that good, he says, pushes others down the ranking.
A Vote with Weight
De La Soul helped reshape hip hop with 3 Feet High and Rising and went on to influence countless artists. Their taste carries weight. Royce 5’9 also represents the kind of long-term excellence they are celebrating. With his albums, PRhyme releases, and collaborations with Eminem, he has become one of rap’s most respected technicians.
Together, their comments remind us that hip hop’s deepest talents often work far from the spotlight, yet shape the culture in ways that never fade.
