The group launched the initiative via Kickstarter.com last month (Apr15), hoping to raise $110,000 (GBP73,000) to cover the costs of crafting eighth album And The Anonymous Nobody - their first new material in 11 years.

Fans flooded the site with 11,169 backers pledging over $600,500 (GBP400,000).

Band member Dave Jude Jolicoeur says, "We’ve been recording this music for years and finally we’ve got what we need to make the best De La Soul record ever."

The new album will feature guests Nas and David Byrne.