50 Years of Hip Hop: The Most Iconic Video From De La Soul – ‘Me Myself and I’

Looking back on it now, it's almost funny to look at the De La Soul video for "Me Myself and I." But in the moment, the 1989 hit track showcased what would become of hip hop culture in so many  ways.

The song itself was the group's only No. 1 hit, as it topped the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart, and the Hot Rap Songs chart. It only reached 34 on the Billboard Hot 100, but this was before hip hop truly took over as the iconic genre in music and culture. It featured prominently on the band's first album, "3 Feet High and Rising."

This video helped start all of that. The group unabashedly embraced who they were, with iconic looks, hairstyles, and lyrical hooks we can all sing along to still day, and it's been 34 years!

VH1 had the video at No. 46 in it's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop countdown, and it's a spot that was well earned.

Recently, De La Soul featured a "making of" video on the iconic video (you can watch it here), for the Vevo Footnotes series.

"Old school hip-hop fans are rightly celebrating the digital arrival of De La Soul's wildly inventive catalog, and the modern rap audience now has a chance to see what all the exclamation is about," Vevo said on the YouTube video. "'Me Myself and I' is from their 1989 masterpiece, '3 Feet High And Rising.' Our Footnotes franchise gets into the making of the most entertaining vids around, and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, we had the group's Posdnuos explain both conception and execution."

The iconic lyrics still stand out today (and fit the current culture well):

Give it a watch below, and celebrate the culture from De La Soul all over again.

I noticed that lately, we reference each other by generations a lot. Last year there was a company-wide email chain that was started mistakenly and one employee referred to the people who didn't realize it had been a mistake as "Boomers." I remember thinking, that was a little rude and shaking my head. Yet I secretly call my daughter and her Generation Alpha friends the "I heard that song on TikTok" generation. Somehow it seems to have become culturally acceptable to make generalizations based on generations.

Music has always been an important way to reflect on cultural and generational differences. Each generation has its own unique musical taste, shaped by a variety of social, political, and economic factors. Looking back on Hip hop, as we celebrate 50 years of this genre, has been especially influential in shaping the musical preferences of different generations. So let's take a look at how hip hop artists can be used to break down generational differences, from Baby Boomers to Generation Alpha.

Baby Boomers born between 1946 and 1964, were introduced to hip hop later in life. Many of them embraced artists like Grandmaster Flash and Run DMC, who rose to fame in the 1980s. These artists had a raw, energetic sound that reflected the struggles and challenges of urban life. Boomers who were fans of hip hop in the 80s also gravitated towards classic rap icons like Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. in the 90s.

Generation X, born between 1965 and 1980, were exposed to hip hop during its golden age. This era of hip hop saw the rise of influential artists like Public Enemy, N.W.A, and Wu-Tang Clan, who used their music to express their frustrations with social and political issues. Gen Xers who grew up in the 90s were also fans of mainstream acts like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Jay-Z. This era of hip hop saw a commercialization of the genre, as it moved from underground scenes to mainstream radio.

Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996, were introduced to hip hop as it continued to evolve and diversify in the 2000s. This era saw the rise of superstar artists like Eminem and Kanye West, who pushed the envelope both musically and lyrically. Millennials were also fans of the alternative hip hop genre, which included groups like Outkast, The Roots, and A Tribe Called Quest. This era was marked by a shift towards socially conscious themes, which was reflected in the music of Kendrick Lamar and Chance the Rapper.

Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, grew up in the era of SoundCloud and YouTube, where anyone could upload their own music online. This era of hip hop was marked by DIY artists like Lil Uzi Vert, Tyler, The Creator, and Juice WRLD, who created their own unique sounds and aesthetics. Gen Zers were also fans of the trap sub-genre, which included artists like Future, Migos, and Travis Scott. This era has also seen a rise in socially conscious themes, with artists like J. Cole and Childish Gambino addressing topics like police brutality and mental health.

Generation Alpha, born after 2012, are still too young to have a definitive hip hop taste. However, artists like Lil Nas X and Billie Eilish have already become popular among this generation, as they continue to push the boundaries of what it means to be a pop star. It will be interesting to see how this generation shapes the future of hip hop in the years to come.

In conclusion, hip hop has played an important role in shaping the musical preferences of each generation, from Baby Boomers to Generation Alpha. While each generation has its own unique taste and style, there are also common themes that span across multiple generations. As hip hop continues to evolve and diversify, I'm excited to see how it continues to shape and reflect cultural and generational differences.