De La Soul have revealed their new album, Cabin in the Sky, set for release on November 21 via Mass Appeal as part of the label's Legend Has It series. The project marks the group's first full-length since 2016's And the Anonymous Nobody... and the first following the 2023 death of founding member Trugoy the Dove. They shared the lead single 'The Package,' produced by Pete Rock, featuring Trugoy's verses.
Album Details
Cabin in the Sky is De La Soul's 10th studio album, comprising 20 tracks that blend themes of loss and joy. Posdnuos described it in a press release: “Cabin in the Sky lives in that space between loss and light. It’s about the pain we carry and the joy that somehow still finds us. This album is therapy and celebration at the same time.” The title draws inspiration from the 1943 all-Black musical starring Lena Horne, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington, which Posdnuos connected to Trugoy during development.
The album features production from DJ Premier, Supa Dave West, Pete Rock, and Jake One, with Trugoy contributing to tracks like the opener 'Ya Don’t Stop,' which he produced, and the closer 'Don’t Push Me.' Another song samples Roy Ayers’ “Everybody Loves the Sunshine,” produced by Trugoy. Guest appearances include Killer Mike, Yukimi of Little Dragon, Common, Nas, and Black Thought of the Roots.
Development and Context
Work began in February 2025 after Mass Appeal's Peter Bittenbender invited Posdnuos and Maseo to join the Legend Has It campaign, honoring New York hip-hop pioneers. Previous releases in the series include albums from Slick Rick, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Mobb Deep, and Big L, with a Nas and DJ Premier collaboration planned next. The group incorporated existing tracks with Trugoy's vocals, such as 'Good Health' and 'Pattycake,' to preserve his energy. Posdnuos told Pitchfork: “It was my mission to make sure that Dave’s true energy was felt throughout the entire record.”
DJ Maseo added: “The music on this record is not old, just seasoned. It’s what we call adult hip-hop: something rooted in the culture but speaking to where we are now.” The album was teased at New York Comic Con during a Marvel panel. The cover art is by Hebru Brantley.
The Single
'The Package' leads the album with Pete Rock's vintage production. Posdnuos raps on moving forward, while Trugoy's verse emphasizes birthright and humility. The animated music video explores the song's themes artistically.
