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De La Soul's Plug 1 & Plug 2 Present...First Serve Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

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  • Summary: De La Soul's Plug 1 (Dave) and Plug 2 (Posdnous) with French producers Chokolate and Khalid release a concept album that follows the rise to fame of a fictional rap group.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 18
  2. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Apr 10, 2012
    87
    The whole of First Serve is greater than the sum of its parts, and the album's crisp pace, infectious energy and playful humor make it an easy listen and a simple pleasure
  2. Apr 2, 2012
    80
    The album is replete with humor, drama, and a satisfying sense of duality and resolution.
  3. Apr 4, 2012
    80
    It's easy to hear that they spent upwards of two years putting this album together, because First Serve is all about the joy of sublime musicianship.
  4. Apr 2, 2012
    70
    First Serve holds no fear for newcomers, consolidates their legacy, and deserves at least one encore.
  5. Oct 30, 2012
    67
    Spanning 16 tracks, the album comes drenched in De La Soul classicism, with beats seemingly culled from Prince Paul's closet collection.
  6. Apr 2, 2012
    60
    This is not a bad record, just not what the game needed from De La at the moment.
  7. Jun 7, 2012
    60
    First Serve isn't a disappointing album by any means-that is, unless you make the mistake of expecting a De La Soul-quality LP from something the pair obviously made for fun-but it isn't a very remarkable one, either.

See all 18 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. Apr 3, 2012
    10
    What can i say this album is off the chain!!!! Way to bring hip hop back Plug 1 and Plug 2!!! Love the beats and the skits. True hip hop isWhat can i say this album is off the chain!!!! Way to bring hip hop back Plug 1 and Plug 2!!! Love the beats and the skits. True hip hop is still out there!!! Expand
  2. May 26, 2012
    6
    "First Serve" is a side project of duo from De La Soul and French DJ Chokolate And Khalid. Just like their previous activity - known even by"First Serve" is a side project of duo from De La Soul and French DJ Chokolate And Khalid. Just like their previous activity - known even by the single "Feel Good Inc." by Girillaz group - the disc is almost an hour of the alternative hip hop, melodic and somewhat scoffing. CD is at a fairly decent level, though sometimes men descend and create some cheap tracks, which can be seen even after the "Must B The Music". Expand