‘It seems weird for an MC – but lyrics have never been a thing for me’: De La Soul’s honest playlist – The Guardian

Rapper Pos of the hip hop greats favours Barry White for the bedroom and sobs to Stevie Wonder, but which cheese-rock hit does he love on the sly?
The first song I fell in love with
My father could sing really well – he was in a choir and had this coolness. He would walk around singing Love and Happiness by Al Green and, because he looked so much like him on the cover, I actually thought he was Al Green.
The first single I bought
Underlove by Melba Moore from Abraham & Straus, this department store in Long Island that had a mini record store inside. I later realised it was produced by Kashif, and I would fall in love with everything he produced.
The song I do at karaoke
I’d like to have a go at Everybody Wants to Rule the World or Shout by Tears for Fears.
The best song to play at a party
When someone throws down All I Do by Stevie Wonder, you can see it in people’s faces – this is a classic piece of soul music.
The song I inexplicably know every lyric to
It seems weird for an MC – I can tell you every drop and hi-hat, but lyrics have never been a big thing for me. When I play with Mos Def, Black Thought or Gorillaz, I’m amazed that they can seemingly remember the lyrics to every song on Earth. I can just about remember Top Billin’ by Audio Two.
The song I can no longer listen to
I don’t really fall out of love with songs. There are lots that get played too much, but at some point I usually grow back in love with them. I don’t want to name anyone in case they come and beat me up.
The song I secretly like
I’ll play These Dreams by Heart in my dressing room when I think no one else is listening. It reminds me of the big hair era.
The song that gets me up in the morning
I always try to start my day by saying: it’s going to be a lovely day. I even had Lovely Day by Bill Withers as my alarm, ready to go off at 6am.
The song that changed my life
I was living in the Bronx. My brothers would have mixtapes, but when I heard Planet Rock by Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force, it made me really want to do this rap thing. I remember saying: “What the fuck is this?” and my mom telling me off for cursing.
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The best song to have sex to
Any Barry White record. Or Let’s Get It On by Marvin Gaye. Have I ever tried making love to my own music? Hell no.
The song that makes me cry
I love the love Stevie Wonder gives the other person in I Love Every Little Thing About You – saying, basically, the only person I put before you is God, and nothing could top my love for you. I tear up when I hear that record.
The song I’d like played at my funeral
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.

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