I think David Lynch has the eternally correct take on art in that once you put it out into the world, it no longer just belongs to you. If you want to control the conversation around the things you make so tightly, you simply can't share them.
I have never heard this quote and I’m challenged by it. Also intrigued. Instinctively, I’m defensive. That’s my art. My intellectual and physical property. I made it. I can see the flip side, though. If I create art, any medium. I have a desire or dream for how it affects people who receive it. I can never guess how commercially successful it becomes, and the consequences of that. I can’t predict how it affects a person. A person may receive that art and become “fanatical” or crazed. Situationally, an infinite number of factors at play. Also, infinitely unpredictable. I guess art is like life in these ways.
they should’ve stopped at that first paragraph or just handled this privately, i feel bad for marcus. musicians / bands have “unauthorized” books written about them all the time, that’s part of being famous
Album reviews, articles, and unauthorized biographies are HIJACKING De La’s ability to craft their own narrative. Their lawyers should come after Mike for this UNAUTHORIZED talk about De La.
They didnt get paid off their music for years and only just got the rights back. I could see why they feel a way about this. They sick of other people eating off their name.
It’s so outwardly antagonistic though to denounce it and seek legal recourse. If the book is not defamatory, it can only serve to build their legacy and current fan base. Unless they had a book of their own ready to go, I don’t see how this is justified or a reasonable response.
@@GeneralDioxidewell let someone do that to you ...see how you would like it .... They should definitely let the court handle it ... how do they benefit ?????? People need to stop
It could be that De La Soul is planning on releasing a book and had a book in the works of their own. Someone else releasing a book then steals the ability for De La Soul to make the money off of their book. Essentially, somebody beating them to the punch. Just a theory.
My initial thoughts as I'm listening. To me, I just think De La are really defensive and reactive to all of this at this point. You said it, they're traumatized by all of the shit they went through with Tommy Boy. I think they're tired of just not being able to tell their own narrative. Like, the way I see it, "De La Soul Is Dead," was sort of about that very thing. Tommy Boy wanted them to be hippies and they weren't about to be put into that box. I think it goes way back to even that. They've been fighting to own their own narrative since damn near the beginning. I don't know the author in any capacity, but I doubt he wrote that book to cause harm or anything like that. I just think De La are highly sensitive to this kind of thing at this point. I'd be interested to know what you think about the book once you've read it.
Part of me wonders what exactly De La is upset about regarding the book, if they even know the contents of the book or what it aims to achieve or what. The whole statement felt very reactionary
Some in comments are tripping… People are allowed to write books on anything. I mean, there are books about other books, about specific types of music and about all sorts of public figures. I understand the streaming shit with Tommy boy was traumatic and they want control over their work, but a person is absolutely allowed to write an autobiography that focuses around music that shaped them. If they were working on a book and this winds up coming out first, I mean, people are still going to want De La’s book. Use of the likenesses and font from the 3 feet high and rising cover would have had to been cleared by the group or reps, if it wasn’t, they could have a case, but news flash, you don’t make a shitload of money at all for writing books. You definitely don’t get paid to the level of other artists, and yet some books take years and years to write and refine. (At least it was for my mom, who published 4 novels in 4 different decades, but those were novels. She had one bestseller, which resulted in a 200k advance for her last novel - so she hit the lotto basically and it amounted to 50 thousand dollars every 10 years). it bums me out that the group is shooting this dude down. I love de la soul more than basically anything in life but I doubt this book will put enough in the writer’s pocket to be worth suing him over. This is just based on what I know about publishing as the son and grandson of authors, but I also know what I know secondhsnd so I reserve my right to be wrong -FanonAndOn
When I first heard about this, knee jerk reaction was like what’s the big deal. But as I started to think about decades of artists getting jerked while outsiders profit off their art it starts to make sense. And when you look at De La’s history, and the fact that Dave died before their first 4 albums were available for streaming, you can understand how it probably stings for them. Do I think writing a book celebrating an artist or group in unethical? Of course not. But when you apply the proper context, it’s not surprising how they reacted. Just my two cents ✌🏻
People seem to sweep aside that context. Though the book maybe a lover letter to the writer's favorite group , you can't be mad if said group decides to return to sender.
Seems like De La Soul is being protective of their legacy overall but they might have made an example out someone with pure intentions. It may not be on the cover but if the author describes the book as an unofficial or unauthorized biography and it's void of libel, they should have a favorable ruling in court.
This is the same book that that other person alluded to in your last video going on about de la soul is dead…this is the book that even sparked the Atlantic article, according to the article The header of the Marc weingarten article says “A new book revisits the revolutionary trio’s decision to renounce its debut album, and the implications for the future of music.” In High and Rising, his new book about De La Soul, the music writer Marcus J. Moore unpacks this baffling decision. so if he's making the same insinuation marc weingarten is exploring, i can imagine why de la may be giving pause to this.
Keep reading: “Moore is a passionate defender of _De La Soul Is Dead,_ which he feels was misunderstood and quickly forgotten, a ‘ripple’ crashing into the ‘tidal wave’ of gangsta rap […] “He’s not wrong about the timing of the record, but it is the tenor of _De La Soul Is Dead-_ its blithe disregard for _3 Feet High,_ and its reactionary swipes at the competition- that didn’t sit well. It still doesn’t.” Weingarten's analysis is entirely his own. It just happens to be triggered by Moore's book.
unless theres some outright insane stuff and the author describes mad cocaine orgies that never happened or shits on their name any other way, this is not a good look for the group any way you slice it. actually this is kinda fucked up stepping on honest hip hop journalism in an era where we have a literal handful of people still doing it for love without explicit corporate interest tied to it. its not like these authors are raking up cash from writing these books anyways this is pointless infighting that has no bearing on whatever fucked up ship they had to go through up until recently. its insensitive but its true
If it says unauthorized I think the author is totally in the clear and maybe even without it. I love De La and their legacy but they’re not perfect. I saw them live and the audience was into it and De La vocalized disappointment in the crowds enthusiasm which I took as disrespectful to fans that paid, showed up and cheered. Came off ungrateful. I give em a pass because they’ve endured industry trauma and they’re awesome artists but this ain’t how grown men move in an ideal world.
Mike I am SO glad you covered this bro! I was floored when De La released this statement. I’ve been friends with Marcus for years. He is an award winning journalist, used to be an executive at Bandcamp and has always repped hard for DeLa and Black artists period on major platforms and in major publications. I remember him reaching out to them and how grateful he was that he began this project before Dave died. there is no way him and his team did not do their due diligence when writing this. Even throughout the book he praises their contributions and explores how DeLa was messed over by Tommy Boy. I know for sure the group was traumatized by all they went through. We will never know everything that happened but I just wish it did not come to this. I am a DIEHARD music and hip hop fan with 1000s of albums and often our Dela’s, Oddisee’s, Black Milk’s, Flying Lotus and lesser known more leftist, indie, and non gangster / non pimp or playboy type MCs and producers don’t get the praise or coverage that they should. Marcus has written about and or reviewed albums by all of these brothers with the utmost respect. Black writers of this caliber deserve praise because they are rare compared to SO MANY platforms that are disconnected from our culture but profit off of our stories daily. I read the book and loved it. I pray this misunderstanding is sorted out ASAP.
The book has a right to exist just as GO AHEAD IN THE RAIN did. They're both personal takes in their own right, but the latter wasn't quite as dressed in deceptive clothes, which I can't just blame on Marcus Moore. But maybe I'm still too mad at Marc Weingarten grafting his awful opinions onto Moore's work to see this clearly.
Thanks Mike for expounding on this, I had a similar reaction when I first saw this on IG. Like... yeah ones personal legacy is deeply important and if its defamatory in any way that's a whole other ballgame. but as someone who likes to write words about art i love and loves writers writing about art they love, it was concerning.
Any random motherfucker can write a book about whatever. But we don't know what the relationship might be between the author and the subjects, if there's bad blood, if there's shit in the book they specifically don't vibe with, or what. But more than anything, it sounds like they might have a book in the works and feel like this is stepping on their toes. De La has always had a slightly contentious relationship with "the media" and maybe they just feel like at this point they should be able to control their narrative, especially after all the struggles to even keep their music catalog in print. That said, I don't think letting artists tell their own stories or write their own legends without other voices is always the best thing. But I'd also argue that if he's editorializing about how De La impacted him and expanding on that, maybe make sure the book LOOKS like that, a book about YOU, instead of looking like an official biography of De La Soul?
Marcus is an amazing writer and someone who is incredibly passionate about rap / hiphop. He approaches it in the upmost reverence. I’m not going to lie, seeing this post from De La is some of the lamest shit I’ve seen.
I"m about a third the way through the book and personally I don't think De La has anything to worry about. The book is fine. Reminds me of a lesser entry into the famous 33 1/3 series where the authors put their personal story into the band's story. Many moments in the book irk me (he's way too quick to call out "missteps") but also really nice to just spend time thinking about one of the greatest to ever do it. All that said, I think there's tons of room for an anecdote-filled De La approved tome that will do much better than this comercially and critically.
The publishers should have known to avoid the daisy theme and their image on the cover. If you changed just that, they are much less likely to beef over it. I def see where they’re coming from.
This might be a purely branding issue. The cover design makes it seem like an official release, so I see how that could feel violating when they aren’t ready for fans to *think* it’s the official story release. You mentioned the 33 1/3 series-which has its own defined branding that is clearly not materials related to the bands/groups involved. I assume they are not making any royalties off its sale as well, so I think there is plenty of room for them to be reasonably uneasy, but the end result might be good if the book is good! Yeah, complicated!
It’s also crazy how De La has not mentioned the culture vulture “rockist” author of that terrible Atlantic article yet fully dissed a beloved hip hop writer like Marcus 🙄
they should definitely get some paper from the book but the book should be allowed to exist, imo. its their story, their art, but also we should be able to write about art that isnt ours. considering de la soul’s history of not getting paid, i understand
Don't forget, that de la soul came from a peak of sampling, when things changed, because they said we don't approve of what you, de la soul, are doing as artists, without paying for all of your samples. So, yeah kinda weird for artists who got smacked by lawsuits for their art, are threatening another artist, legally, for their art
There's a difference between pushback and swinging back, but it feels weird when someone was just trying to pat you on the back for the legacy you created. But from a monetary standpoint I get it. Everyone always making money off our names doesn't feel good I'm sure.
Honestly a bit baffling from a group who's career was based on repurposing and appreciating other musicians work. Like i really do not understand this.
Really torn on this, music journalists write biographies all the time, but they're packaging this like it's an official project, enough that it's confusing people. Uphill legal battle though
the words are out the for the whole world to read but unfortunately, the whole world won't read it. if pos and mase feel damaged by it, they probably won't mind the latter. if they think that money will heal any damage or that punishing the writer will help, I'd remind them that there's no such thing as bad publicity and congratulate them when they tell me this is a pr stunt. but i think things are too fresh and tender about enough things to also justify their reaction. they are adults and we can be overprotective of them or just see how they handle da bizness. cue beat box
I get why Dela is so protective given their history but its a weird move still and certainly not legally actionable. What are you even gonna sue for. But yeah of all groups theyve got plenty of reason to be a bit paranoid about their image and legacy being used outside of their control
Like if I were writing a book about someone, especially if im putting their face on the cover, I would probably ask for their blessing before doing it. Thats just me.
I get why De La is defensive, but this is kinda wild. Marcus is a great author who wrote about his own personal experience with their music. There is a reason the phrase “unauthorized biography” is so common. It’s standard practice. They have no “legal options” to explore 🫤
That book looks identical to what we would expect an official release would look like. That's the issue. It's like throwing a big and shiny Rolling Stones logo on a book of unaffiliated rock essays. It's wrong. I think the author believes that he can exploit the group because De La Soul doesn't really associate with that iconography like they used to back in 89 🤔
This is a bit disappointing honestly. I've always felt like we need MORE books on hip hop, not less, and while in some cases it's great if the artist is involved in the book, independent journalism is needed in order to produce the best finished product. I wouldn't want a scenario where battles like these discourage writers who LOVE this music to stay away from writing about it deeply in book form.
I'm totally with De La on this and I don't care who the author is or how much he loves the group. At this point "De La Soul" is IP - these guys need to be able to eat off it for the rest of their careers. Doing a book where they don't control any of the production or proceeds literally is taking food out of their mouths. Why is that so hard to understand? These guys aren't mega-wealthy, they need their brand and if you're taking away from that it's wack.
@open_mike_eagle no because if you write an unauthorized book about an Athlete or Actor that's not interfering with their main source of revenue. In this case De La is selling their brand as IP. That's why they're opening donut shops and other stuff like that. A book with details about their lives would definitely fall under the umbrella of IP they could use as a revenue stream. I would actually say a book would be one of the biggest plays they could make, other than a major tour - which can't necessarily happen since the group ain't whole. This writer and his publishers are stopping De La's bread by doing this - not to mention utilizing the daisy style that we know they've shunned away from as cover art. Just a bad look all the way around and people are denying it because they like the author.
But as an artist you also have the right to respond however you feel necessary when ppl are making money or gaining notoriety off your name. Ppl are really cavalier when it comes to hip hop artists and telling stories about them that don’t actually INCLUDE them (like rappaport’s tribe movie).
Bruh, it's like you're new to the writing game or something. Some biographies are authorized, some are not because the writer doesn't want to split the bread and wants to control the narrative they tell. That's how this game goes. You're making a mountain out of a molehill because it's ya homie. Good on you for defending them, but that's the game they chose. They gotta deal with what they dealing with.
@@open_mike_eagle I did. So if you want to promote his book in response to them NOT promoting it, just do that, and stop trying to make them look like bad guys for not approving of an unauthorized bio, which is WHY it is unauthorized in the first place. Either that, or tell ya man to write a book that they approve of so some of the funds from the book can go to Trugoy's fam.
@@BlackTyeChi bro I know people on both sides. if you watched it then you're not listening well. If I wanted to promote the book I wouldn't need to say anything about what the group said. you're doing a lot of projecting here.
I think David Lynch has the eternally correct take on art in that once you put it out into the world, it no longer just belongs to you. If you want to control the conversation around the things you make so tightly, you simply can't share them.
I have never heard this quote and I’m challenged by it. Also intrigued.
Instinctively, I’m defensive. That’s my art. My intellectual and physical property. I made it.
I can see the flip side, though. If I create art, any medium. I have a desire or dream for how it affects people who receive it.
I can never guess how commercially successful it becomes, and the consequences of that.
I can’t predict how it affects a person. A person may receive that art and become “fanatical” or crazed.
Situationally, an infinite number of factors at play. Also, infinitely unpredictable.
I guess art is like life in these ways.
@donflo3 I don't remember exactly where I saw this but it was somewhere in a conversation about Twin Peaks: The Return I think.
@@donflo3 also I paraphrased it pretty loosely
TRUTH
@@chumba421 I think he meant it in regards to conversations about interpretation of the art though.
I will wait for the official unauthorized Prima strategy guide to De La Soul
they should’ve stopped at that first paragraph or just handled this privately, i feel bad for marcus. musicians / bands have “unauthorized” books written about them all the time, that’s part of being famous
Album reviews, articles, and unauthorized biographies are HIJACKING De La’s ability to craft their own narrative. Their lawyers should come after Mike for this UNAUTHORIZED talk about De La.
😭
🤣🤣🤣
First rule of De La Soul... don't talk about De La Soul.
In an ideal world, artists have 100% control over their own image. However, freedom of press and freedom of speech are more essential than that ideal.
They didnt get paid off their music for years and only just got the rights back. I could see why they feel a way about this.
They sick of other people eating off their name.
It’s so outwardly antagonistic though to denounce it and seek legal recourse. If the book is not defamatory, it can only serve to build their legacy and current fan base. Unless they had a book of their own ready to go, I don’t see how this is justified or a reasonable response.
As they should ...
@@GeneralDioxidewell let someone do that to you ...see how you would like it ....
They should definitely let the court handle it ... how do they benefit ??????
People need to stop
It could be that De La Soul is planning on releasing a book and had a book in the works of their own. Someone else releasing a book then steals the ability for De La Soul to make the money off of their book. Essentially, somebody beating them to the punch.
Just a theory.
My initial thoughts as I'm listening. To me, I just think De La are really defensive and reactive to all of this at this point. You said it, they're traumatized by all of the shit they went through with Tommy Boy. I think they're tired of just not being able to tell their own narrative. Like, the way I see it, "De La Soul Is Dead," was sort of about that very thing. Tommy Boy wanted them to be hippies and they weren't about to be put into that box. I think it goes way back to even that. They've been fighting to own their own narrative since damn near the beginning. I don't know the author in any capacity, but I doubt he wrote that book to cause harm or anything like that. I just think De La are highly sensitive to this kind of thing at this point. I'd be interested to know what you think about the book once you've read it.
Part of me wonders what exactly De La is upset about regarding the book, if they even know the contents of the book or what it aims to achieve or what. The whole statement felt very reactionary
Some in comments are tripping… People are allowed to write books on anything. I mean, there are books about other books, about specific types of music and about all sorts of public figures. I understand the streaming shit with Tommy boy was traumatic and they want control over their work, but a person is absolutely allowed to write an autobiography that focuses around music that shaped them. If they were working on a book and this winds up coming out first, I mean, people are still going to want De La’s book. Use of the likenesses and font from the 3 feet high and rising cover would have had to been cleared by the group or reps, if it wasn’t, they could have a case, but news flash, you don’t make a shitload of money at all for writing books. You definitely don’t get paid to the level of other artists, and yet some books take years and years to write and refine. (At least it was for my mom, who published 4 novels in 4 different decades, but those were novels. She had one bestseller, which resulted in a 200k advance for her last novel - so she hit the lotto basically and it amounted to 50 thousand dollars every 10 years). it bums me out that the group is shooting this dude down. I love de la soul more than basically anything in life but I doubt this book will put enough in the writer’s pocket to be worth suing him over. This is just based on what I know about publishing as the son and grandson of authors, but I also know what I know secondhsnd so I reserve my right to be wrong -FanonAndOn
Exactly.
When I first heard about this, knee jerk reaction was like what’s the big deal. But as I started to think about decades of artists getting jerked while outsiders profit off their art it starts to make sense. And when you look at De La’s history, and the fact that Dave died before their first 4 albums were available for streaming, you can understand how it probably stings for them.
Do I think writing a book celebrating an artist or group in unethical? Of course not. But when you apply the proper context, it’s not surprising how they reacted. Just my two cents ✌🏻
People seem to sweep aside that context. Though the book maybe a lover letter to the writer's favorite group , you can't be mad if said group decides to return to sender.
when i write the unauthorized biography of Previous Industries i promise i’ll share the royalties
Seems like De La Soul is being protective of their legacy overall but they might have made an example out someone with pure intentions. It may not be on the cover but if the author describes the book as an unofficial or unauthorized biography and it's void of libel, they should have a favorable ruling in court.
This is the same book that that other person alluded to in your last video going on about de la soul is dead…this is the book that even sparked the Atlantic article, according to the article
The header of the Marc weingarten article says
“A new book revisits the revolutionary trio’s decision to renounce its debut album, and the implications for the future of music.”
In High and Rising, his new book about De La Soul, the music writer Marcus J. Moore unpacks this baffling decision.
so if he's making the same insinuation marc weingarten is exploring, i can imagine why de la may be giving pause to this.
Moore defends DE LA SOUL IS DEAD in the book. Weingarten is just an absolute leech and his editors were desperate to spark shit.
Keep reading:
“Moore is a passionate defender of _De La Soul Is Dead,_ which he feels was misunderstood and quickly forgotten, a ‘ripple’ crashing into the ‘tidal wave’ of gangsta rap […]
“He’s not wrong about the timing of the record, but it is the tenor of _De La Soul Is Dead-_ its blithe disregard for _3 Feet High,_ and its reactionary swipes at the competition- that didn’t sit well. It still doesn’t.”
Weingarten's analysis is entirely his own. It just happens to be triggered by Moore's book.
unless theres some outright insane stuff and the author describes mad cocaine orgies that never happened or shits on their name any other way, this is not a good look for the group any way you slice it. actually this is kinda fucked up stepping on honest hip hop journalism in an era where we have a literal handful of people still doing it for love without explicit corporate interest tied to it. its not like these authors are raking up cash from writing these books anyways
this is pointless infighting that has no bearing on whatever fucked up ship they had to go through up until recently. its insensitive but its true
9:12 exactly, no way marcus doesnt try to reach out! - i think u said it best, and rightfully so, but they are traumatized
100% spot on. I could only imagine how disappointed Marcus feels with all of this given his intent. Great book, by the way.
Super disappointed in De La. This is positive marketing.
If it says unauthorized I think the author is totally in the clear and maybe even without it. I love De La and their legacy but they’re not perfect. I saw them live and the audience was into it and De La vocalized disappointment in the crowds enthusiasm which I took as disrespectful to fans that paid, showed up and cheered. Came off ungrateful. I give em a pass because they’ve endured industry trauma and they’re awesome artists but this ain’t how grown men move in an ideal world.
When an artist uses fandom to control what narrative about them you get to hear. That smells fishy.
This is the first time I have heard the name De La Soul in over ten years, so they should thank their lucky stars.
Mike I am SO glad you covered this bro! I was floored when De La released this statement. I’ve been friends with Marcus for years. He is an award winning journalist, used to be an executive at Bandcamp and has always repped hard for DeLa and Black artists period on major platforms and in major publications. I remember him reaching out to them and how grateful he was that he began this project before Dave died. there is no way him and his team did not do their due diligence when writing this. Even throughout the book he praises their contributions and explores how DeLa was messed over by Tommy Boy. I know for sure the group was traumatized by all they went through. We will never know everything that happened but I just wish it did not come to this. I am a DIEHARD music and hip hop fan with 1000s of albums and often our Dela’s, Oddisee’s, Black Milk’s, Flying Lotus and lesser known more leftist, indie, and non gangster / non pimp or playboy type MCs and producers don’t get the praise or coverage that they should. Marcus has written about and or reviewed albums by all of these brothers with the utmost respect. Black writers of this caliber deserve praise because they are rare compared to SO MANY platforms that are disconnected from our culture but profit off of our stories daily. I read the book and loved it. I pray this misunderstanding is sorted out ASAP.
The book has a right to exist just as GO AHEAD IN THE RAIN did. They're both personal takes in their own right, but the latter wasn't quite as dressed in deceptive clothes, which I can't just blame on Marcus Moore. But maybe I'm still too mad at Marc Weingarten grafting his awful opinions onto Moore's work to see this clearly.
Happy belated birthday, OME! 🫶
Happy birthday!!
Thanks Mike for expounding on this, I had a similar reaction when I first saw this on IG. Like... yeah ones personal legacy is deeply important and if its defamatory in any way that's a whole other ballgame. but as someone who likes to write words about art i love and loves writers writing about art they love, it was concerning.
Any random motherfucker can write a book about whatever. But we don't know what the relationship might be between the author and the subjects, if there's bad blood, if there's shit in the book they specifically don't vibe with, or what. But more than anything, it sounds like they might have a book in the works and feel like this is stepping on their toes. De La has always had a slightly contentious relationship with "the media" and maybe they just feel like at this point they should be able to control their narrative, especially after all the struggles to even keep their music catalog in print. That said, I don't think letting artists tell their own stories or write their own legends without other voices is always the best thing. But I'd also argue that if he's editorializing about how De La impacted him and expanding on that, maybe make sure the book LOOKS like that, a book about YOU, instead of looking like an official biography of De La Soul?
Marcus is an amazing writer and someone who is incredibly passionate about rap / hiphop. He approaches it in the upmost reverence. I’m not going to lie, seeing this post from De La is some of the lamest shit I’ve seen.
I"m about a third the way through the book and personally I don't think De La has anything to worry about. The book is fine. Reminds me of a lesser entry into the famous 33 1/3 series where the authors put their personal story into the band's story. Many moments in the book irk me (he's way too quick to call out "missteps") but also really nice to just spend time thinking about one of the greatest to ever do it. All that said, I think there's tons of room for an anecdote-filled De La approved tome that will do much better than this comercially and critically.
The publishers should have known to avoid the daisy theme and their image on the cover. If you changed just that, they are much less likely to beef over it. I def see where they’re coming from.
This might be a purely branding issue. The cover design makes it seem like an official release, so I see how that could feel violating when they aren’t ready for fans to *think* it’s the official story release. You mentioned the 33 1/3 series-which has its own defined branding that is clearly not materials related to the bands/groups involved. I assume they are not making any royalties off its sale as well, so I think there is plenty of room for them to be reasonably uneasy, but the end result might be good if the book is good! Yeah, complicated!
They are public figures, artists, performers. Not a problem with letting their concerns/opinions be known but career is fair game for media.
It’s also crazy how De La has not mentioned the culture vulture “rockist” author of that terrible Atlantic article yet fully dissed a beloved hip hop writer like Marcus 🙄
The article was sparked by this very book is why I’m confused about all of this coverage
Good video. I see both sides too but it feels like De La’s team is trying to make them victims again for sympathy points.
I just put in a request for this book on Hoopla into their database.
they should definitely get some paper from the book but the book should be allowed to exist, imo. its their story, their art, but also we should be able to write about art that isnt ours. considering de la soul’s history of not getting paid, i understand
Don't forget, that de la soul came from a peak of sampling, when things changed, because they said we don't approve of what you, de la soul, are doing as artists, without paying for all of your samples. So, yeah kinda weird for artists who got smacked by lawsuits for their art, are threatening another artist, legally, for their art
Business at the end of the day
I can just see Tommy Boy off to the side rubbing his hands in glee over all of this
Thomas Mikal Ford and Chris Farley are rubbing their hands in The Great Beyond…
There's a difference between pushback and swinging back, but it feels weird when someone was just trying to pat you on the back for the legacy you created. But from a monetary standpoint I get it. Everyone always making money off our names doesn't feel good I'm sure.
hurt people hurt people
belated happy birthday🎉
Honestly a bit baffling from a group who's career was based on repurposing and appreciating other musicians work.
Like i really do not understand this.
Great observation, although it opens up a whole other can of worms.
What the fuck are official De La iconography and official De La logos doing on a damn memoir tho !? I'm furious nooooo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm melting
Really torn on this, music journalists write biographies all the time, but they're packaging this like it's an official project, enough that it's confusing people. Uphill legal battle though
the words are out the for the whole world to read but unfortunately, the whole world won't read it. if pos and mase feel damaged by it, they probably won't mind the latter. if they think that money will heal any damage or that punishing the writer will help, I'd remind them that there's no such thing as bad publicity and congratulate them when they tell me this is a pr stunt. but i think things are too fresh and tender about enough things to also justify their reaction. they are adults and we can be overprotective of them or just see how they handle da bizness. cue beat box
I get why Dela is so protective given their history but its a weird move still and certainly not legally actionable. What are you even gonna sue for. But yeah of all groups theyve got plenty of reason to be a bit paranoid about their image and legacy being used outside of their control
Like if I were writing a book about someone, especially if im putting their face on the cover, I would probably ask for their blessing before doing it. Thats just me.
I get why De La is defensive, but this is kinda wild. Marcus is a great author who wrote about his own personal experience with their music. There is a reason the phrase “unauthorized biography” is so common. It’s standard practice. They have no “legal options” to explore 🫤
That book looks identical to what we would expect an official release would look like. That's the issue. It's like throwing a big and shiny Rolling Stones logo on a book of unaffiliated rock essays. It's wrong. I think the author believes that he can exploit the group because De La Soul doesn't really associate with that iconography like they used to back in 89 🤔
"Exploit." Authors don't usually design their own book jackets…
@crnkmnky that is def an important distinction. Appreciated fam
This is a bit disappointing honestly. I've always felt like we need MORE books on hip hop, not less, and while in some cases it's great if the artist is involved in the book, independent journalism is needed in order to produce the best finished product. I wouldn't want a scenario where battles like these discourage writers who LOVE this music to stay away from writing about it deeply in book form.
I'm totally with De La on this and I don't care who the author is or how much he loves the group.
At this point "De La Soul" is IP - these guys need to be able to eat off it for the rest of their careers. Doing a book where they don't control any of the production or proceeds literally is taking food out of their mouths. Why is that so hard to understand? These guys aren't mega-wealthy, they need their brand and if you're taking away from that it's wack.
you believe all unauthorized books take food out of the subject's mouths?
@open_mike_eagle no because if you write an unauthorized book about an Athlete or Actor that's not interfering with their main source of revenue.
In this case De La is selling their brand as IP. That's why they're opening donut shops and other stuff like that. A book with details about their lives would definitely fall under the umbrella of IP they could use as a revenue stream. I would actually say a book would be one of the biggest plays they could make, other than a major tour - which can't necessarily happen since the group ain't whole. This writer and his publishers are stopping De La's bread by doing this - not to mention utilizing the daisy style that we know they've shunned away from as cover art. Just a bad look all the way around and people are denying it because they like the author.
But as an artist you also have the right to respond however you feel necessary when ppl are making money or gaining notoriety off your name. Ppl are really cavalier when it comes to hip hop artists and telling stories about them that don’t actually INCLUDE them (like rappaport’s tribe movie).
Bruh, it's like you're new to the writing game or something. Some biographies are authorized, some are not because the writer doesn't want to split the bread and wants to control the narrative they tell. That's how this game goes. You're making a mountain out of a molehill because it's ya homie. Good on you for defending them, but that's the game they chose. They gotta deal with what they dealing with.
did you watch the video? I said I see both sides.
@@open_mike_eagle I did. So if you want to promote his book in response to them NOT promoting it, just do that, and stop trying to make them look like bad guys for not approving of an unauthorized bio, which is WHY it is unauthorized in the first place. Either that, or tell ya man to write a book that they approve of so some of the funds from the book can go to Trugoy's fam.
@@BlackTyeChi bro I know people on both sides. if you watched it then you're not listening well. If I wanted to promote the book I wouldn't need to say anything about what the group said. you're doing a lot of projecting here.
@@open_mike_eagle Eat Ya Feelings is a dope song/concept. 👍
Happy birthday!