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De La Soul Catalog Streaming Postponed Amid Royalties Dispute

Associate Staff

The band had cited “unbalanced, unfair terms” of contract with Tommy Boy Records

De La Soul, photo by Gie Knaeps/Getty Images

The long-awaited arrival of De La Soul’s back catalog on streaming services has been postponed. Label Tommy Boy canceled the release scheduled for last night—celebrating the 30th anniversary of 3 Feet High & Rising—after the band spoke out against the “unbalanced, unfair terms” of its contract, Varietyreports. Pitchfork has contacted Tommy Boy representatives for further comment.

In a statement obtained by Variety, Tommy Boy said Thursday, “Because Tommy Boy has not had the opportunity to sit down together with De La Soul and finalise our negotiations—something we’ve wanted to do for months—we have decided to postpone the digital release of their catalogue scheduled for tomorrow.”

The rap trio had claimed that it would receive 10 percent of streaming profits, with the rest going to Tommy Boy. The group’s David “Trugoy” Jolicoeur told Rolling Stone that Tommy Boy had agreed to a 70 percent share, but would take an extra 20 percent toward a “phantom debt” the group allegedly owes of $2 million. The group are still trying to determine what the debt is for, RS reports.

Part of the complication stems from uncleared samples on the band’s debut, 3 Feet High & Rising. De La Soul said on Instagram that they may be liable to lawsuits if Tommy Boy hasn’t obtained clearance. In support of the trio, JAY-Z agreed to bar the records from Tidal under the current deal, the band say.