What the Fuck #3 (De La Slow)

Song Meaning

This track, dubbed "De La Slow" by Pos, captures a moment of laid-back creation between major De La Soul projects. The intro sets a casual, in-studio vibe, with Alchemist tired and Prince Paul asleep, yet the groove is still defined by this unhurried pace. It's presented as a deliberate stylistic choice, a "type groove" that permeates everything from radio stations to donut shops, and even the act of rhyming itself. Pos's verse leans into a stream-of-consciousness flow, weaving together seemingly disparate images and ideas. He references a "Preacherman" whose skill is undeniable, contrasting it with a potential lack of understanding from listeners. The lyrics suggest a self-assuredness, where heads don't swell because their flow is tightly controlled. He touches on personal identity, moving from a "madface" youth to a present where he's financially comfortable, even if girls are playing games. The imagery of "naughty nutrition" served with donuts and peas, and keeping things "undercover like a yellow submarine," adds a quirky, almost surreal layer to his reflections. The abrupt shift with Dove's interjection and the subsequent sound effects create a stark contrast to the preceding verse. The spoken-word interlude after Dove's contribution explicitly calls out the preceding section as "bogus" and "De La doo doo," framing it as something to be flushed away. This self-aware, almost meta-commentary suggests the track itself is an experiment, a raw outtake that's being discarded in favor of new material, highlighting the transient and experimental nature of the creative process. What makes these lyrics compelling is their raw, unpolished glimpse into the De La Soul creative space. The contrast between Pos's intricate, if abstract, rhyming and the abrupt, dismissive outro highlights the experimental and sometimes disposable nature of studio outtakes. It's this unfiltered look at their process, the casual declaration of a "De La Slow" vibe, and the subsequent self-critique that gives the track its unique texture and meaning.