Happy Birthday, Posdnuos!

Today, Aug. 17, is the birthday of Bronx-born rapper and De La Soul member Kelvin Mercer, better known to the music world as Posdnuos or simply Pos. The Bronx-born rhymer is now 49.

Pos, Dave and Maseo formed De La Soul while they were still in high school together in Long Island. As a fan of jazz, Pos made it a point to incorporate jazz influences in their raps. The group dropped their debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising, in 1989 to critical and popular acclaim. Pos, often called "Plug One" on wax, showed off his laidback yet witty rap style on tracks like "Plug Tunin" and "Me Myself and I."

Thanks to the success of their debut, the trio became leading members of the Native Tongues collective which also contained A Tribe Called Quest, Queen Latifah and the Jungle Brothers. Sometimes labeled hippies, De La promoted self acceptance, education and tapping into your inner soul.

Together, De La released eight albums in their almost thirty year career and helped bridge the gap between jazz, funk and hip-hop. Together, the guys dropped their ninth joint, And The Anonymous Nobody, thanks to help from their fan-funded Kickstarter last summer. The LP hit No. 1 on the Billboard Rap Charts and was even nominated in the category of Best Rap Album at the 2017 Grammys.

Happy Birthday, Posdnuos!

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