SLCene Suggests: De La Soul at Pioneer Park

DE LA SOUL, PIONEER PARK, Thursday, Aug. 21, 7 p.m., $5

This has been a big year for the Twilight Concert Series and legendary hip-hop crews. The Wu-Tang Clan came through a few weeks back to deliver their tales of hardened street life. Now comes their stylistic opposites in De La Soul, a trio that helped pioneer a jazz-inflected brand of hip-hop back in the late ’80s that stood out from their pack of peers on Yo! MTV Raps! Originally formed in New York in 1987, the group’s debut album, 3 Feet High & Rising, introduced the world to a visually striking crew who loved bright colors and crazy samples, courtesy of producer Prince Paul. And while that album got more attention that the releases De La Soul have put out since, the trio is consistently one of the most creative hip-hop acts, and a top-notch live attraction as well. They should make for a fine headliner at the Twilight Concert Series. Rapsody and 9th Wonder open the show.