Overview of Joe and Jada — De La Soul on "Cabin In The Sky"
This episode of Joe & Jada features De La Soul in a wide-ranging conversation about their new album Cabin in the Sky (Mass Appeal’s Legend Series), grief and making music after the loss of a member, the mechanics and pitfalls of label deals/publishing, Native Tongues origins, career anecdotes, and the group’s approach to collaborations and legacy. The chat mixes serious reflections (artistic continuity, legal battles) with lighthearted storytelling and live preview clips from the album.
Key topics covered
- The making of Cabin in the Sky: process, producers, and emotional context after the loss of their bandmate.
- Respect for posthumous contributions: keeping the late member’s voice and intent intact rather than splicing or altering verses.
- Label and publishing battles: experiences with Tommy Boy, later acquisition by Reservoir Media, and lessons learned about contracts and artist value.
- Native Tongues history: how the collective formed and its creative ethos.
- Features and collaborators on the new album (high-profile guests and producers).
- Live moments and album preview: they played “Run It Back” (feat. Nas) on the show.
- Tour and live-performance outlook: talk of festivals, shows, and possibility of group tours with other classic hip-hop acts.
Album — Cabin in the Sky (what to know)
- Label and context: Released on Mass Appeal as part of their Legend Series; executive produced by Pete Rock.
- Emotional frame: The album functions as therapeutic closure and a tribute, with members recording and choosing material with the late member’s legacy in mind. They intentionally avoided cutting the deceased member’s verses and instead built around what was already in the can.
- Producers and sources: Material includes work from Pete Rock, DJ Premier (referred to in conversation), Super Dave West, Jake One, and others.
- Notable featured artists: Nas (prominently), Black Thought, Killer Mike, and spoken-word appearances (Giancarlo Esposito is mentioned as a voice on the record). Fat Joe notably praises Nas’ recent work and highlights the strength of the features.
- Sound and approach: Lyrically focused, varied production (no “same-sauce” repetition), prioritizes quality over quantity—true to De La Soul’s catalog reputation.
- Listening guidance from the show: The group encouraged fans to buy the album (support directly) rather than just stream.
Legal, label and publishing issues — lessons and outcomes
- Long-running dispute context: De La Soul discussed struggles over catalog rights, publishing, and unfair offers that didn’t reflect their value. They described how early label deals and intermediary advisors can leave artists disadvantaged.
- Tommy Boy specifics: The group walked listeners through how label collapses and corporate sales complicate artists’ rights. Tommy Boy was later sold to Reservoir Media; according to the conversation, the parties eventually worked things out.
- Core lesson: Artists should learn the business, read contracts carefully, and retain appropriate advisors. The guests emphasized the slow learning curve artists face when they’re young and inexperienced.
- Anecdotes: Multiple personal stories about being “jerked” on publishing, delayed accounting, and the emotional toll of seeing industry players live lavishly off artists’ work.
Native Tongues & legacy
- Formation story: De La Soul and contemporaries (Jungle Brothers, A Tribe Called Quest, Monie Love, Queen Latifah in that circle) recognized a shared vibe and coined the Native Tongues concept to reflect that kinship; the collective prioritized creativity and mutual support.
- Ethos: They emphasize diversity of sound (catalog where tracks don’t sound alike), musical curiosity, and collaboration outside predictable formulas.
- Legacy: The group reflects on having fans across generations, their impact on hip-hop, and the sense that their work remains “therapeutic” and relevant.
Notable quotes & moments
- On public mourning and support: “It was overwhelming to see the outpouring…people were already in with us from that context.” (on the reaction to their late member)
- On posthumous integrity: They criticized opportunistic posthumous releases that splice or shoehorn material, stressing respect for original performances.
- On creative consistency: “None of them sound the same” — praise for a catalog that avoids recycling the same hit formula.
- On artist education/business: “As you learn the business … you have a lot more discernment.” — practical advice for younger artists.
Anecdotes & lighter moments
- Stories about meeting other artists (Fat Joe, Q-Tip, A.G., Fatman Scoop) and classic tour life (the “starvation era,” doing many small gigs).
- Studio talk: Q-Tip’s home studio described as a full Hit Factory–level space; talk about in-studio spontaneity and peer feedback while recording.
- Live clip played: “Run It Back” (feat. Nas), produced by Super Dave West, was previewed and got a strong reaction.
Practical takeaways / recommendations
- If you’re a fan: buy Cabin in the Sky (support direct sales) and check out the tracks featuring Nas, Black Thought, and Killer Mike.
- For artists/newcomers: educate yourself on publishing and contract terms; seek trustworthy advisors and remember that early deals can have long-term consequences.
- For live-music fans: expect De La Soul to tour around the release; they discussed festival dates and shows tied to the album rollout.
Sponsors & episode extras (brief)
The episode includes multiple sponsor reads and ads (Prime NBA promos, Grainger, Rexulti, PayPal, PNC Wealth, Hard Rock Bet, SkyRizzy, Toyota, Sprite, eBay, UnitedHealthcare, Hulu promo, etc.). De La Soul and hosts intermittently reference merch, signed posters, and giveaways linked to the podcast event.
Where to listen / next steps
- Album: Cabin in the Sky — available on Mass Appeal/major platforms (the group asked fans to purchase the album to support them).
- Tour/festival alerts: De La Soul noted shows around the album release and suggested fans watch for festival and Vegas dates.
- If you want the specific song previewed: look for “Run It Back” (feat. Nas) — played on this episode.
Summary judgment: This episode is part celebration (new music), part candid oral history (Native Tongues, studio life) and part cautionary business lesson (label/publishing fights). It’s useful for fans, industry observers, and artists wanting perspective on preserving artistic intent and navigating the music business.