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Creator
Mott, Toby, 1964-
Call number
Sc MG 976
Physical description
0.22 linear feet (1 box, 1 oversize folder)
Language
English
Preferred Citation
[Item], De La Soul 3 Feet High and Rising original graphic art archive, Sc MG 976, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, The New York Public Library
Repository
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.

De La Soul is a hip-hop trio from Amityville on Long Island, New York, best known for their debut studio album 3 Feet High and Rising (1989). The album is celebrated for its creative use of samples and skits, as well as the cover art's iconic "Daisy Age" flower motif. Toby Mott designed the cover in collaboration with the Grey Organisation. The De La Soul 3 Feet High and Rising original graphic art archive consists of original designs, promotional material, and correspondence related to De La Soul's debut album.

Biographical/historical information

De La Soul is a hip-hop trio from Amityville on Long Island, New York, best known for their playful style and unconventional approach to hip-hop music. Their debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising (1989), is one of their most celebrated records for its creative use of samples, comedic skits, and Afrocentric visuals. The album is also recognized for its colorful LP cover depicting members Posdnuos (1969-), DJ Maseo (1970-), and Trugoy the Dove (1968-2023) against a yellow background with a flower motif to represent the "Daisy Age." Daisy Age stands for "DA Inner Sound Y'all" and it represented their upbeat and poetic style of hip hop that contrasted with the gangsta rap that was popular at the time.

The Grey Organisation (GO) was a London-based artists' collective that artist Toby Mott (1964-) founded in 1983 with three of his childhood friends. They produced Super 8 films, music videos, and album covers for musical artists. After relocating to New York City, GO met De La Soul after one of their concerts on the Lower East Side. Mott designed 3 Feet High and Rising's album cover in collaboration with GO. Mott created the album cover by taking black and white photographs of the trio, laying acetate over the images, and using Posca paint pens to draw the iconic flower motif in addition to the album title and group name.

Scope and arrangement

The De La Soul 3 Feet High and Rising original graphic art archive is a collection of original designs, promotional material, newspaper clippings, and tour correspondence related to 3 Feet High and Rising, De La Soul's debut studio album. The collection is arranged in the following files: "Daisy Age" Designs; Press Material; "Me, Myself, and I" Music Video; and U.K., Europe, and Japan Tour.

The "Daisy Age" Designs file contains copies of Toby Mott's original designs for 3 Feet High and Rising, including the notable flower motif.

The Press Material file consists of promotional material and visuals related to 3 Feet High and Rising.

The "Me, Myself, and I" Music Video file involves correspondence and budget records related to recording the music video for "Me, Myself, and I," a single from 3 Feet High and Rising

The U.K., Europe, and Japan Tour file is made up of a concert contract, lighting plot map, venue information, and correspondence pertaining to De La Soul's U.K., Europe, Japan Tour in fall 1989.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

NYPL purchased this collection from Arthur Fournier Fine & Rare LLC in 2020.

Processing information

Processed by Denise Mantey in 2025.

Separated material

See the Moving Image and Recorded Sound Division for De La Soul audio and moving image collection.

See the Photographs and Prints Division for photographs.

See the Art and Artifacts Division for additional separated material.

Using the collection

Location

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division
515 Malcolm X Boulevard, New York, NY 10037-1801
Second Floor