Podcast Summary: Joe & Jada – "De La Soul on 'Cabin In The Sky' w/ Nas & Mass Appeal, Q-Tip & SHADY rap labels"

Date: November 20, 2025
Hosts: Fat Joe and Jadakiss
Guests: De La Soul (David Jude Jolicoeur aka Dave, Vincent Mason aka Posdnuos)
Podcast: Joe and Jada, iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Overview

This episode celebrates Hip Hop royalty with the legendary De La Soul joining Fat Joe and Jadakiss for a heartfelt, candid conversation. The show centers on De La Soul’s new album "Cabin In The Sky" (executive produced by Pete Rock and released under Nas’ Mass Appeal Legend Series), touches on the deep loss of Trugoy (Dave), explores the origins and legacy of the Native Tongues collective, unpacks music industry struggles—especially with predatory record deals, and highlights enduring camaraderie and resilience in hip hop.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. De La Soul’s Influence and Legacy (04:45 - 09:53)

• Fat Joe and Jada's Admiration: The hosts express genuine reverence, crediting De La Soul with paving the way for more positive, "nice guy" hip hop amidst the aggression of their era.
  • "You guys paved the way for all of us. Like, y' all beyond royalty. You're actually the first nice guys I ever listened to." – Fat Joe (05:53)
• Fat Joe remarks on the legendary, sincere outpouring of love after Trugoy’s passing.
  • "Did it surprise you that he got so much of an outpouring? ... The outpouring was legendary." – Fat Joe (07:09)
• Mason (Posdnuos) and Dave reflect on the global impact they've had and how Dave’s death was a moment of real, not performative, grief for the whole industry.
  • "It was definitely overwhelming to see... everyone that just in the industry come out, and it had that same effect. You know what I mean? It wasn't fake." – Posdnuos (08:42)

2. Making 'Cabin In The Sky' Without Dave (09:58 - 13:16)

• Album Process: The project began as a collaboration with Pete Rock & Preem that never materialized, but Nas and Mass Appeal catalyzed a new direction.
  • "...Peter from Mass Appeal and Nas, they came to us... we want y' all to be a part of this Legend series..." – Dave (10:20)
• Dave's Spiritual Presence: Both guests speak movingly about feeling Trugoy's presence throughout the creative process.
  • "I kept him in my ear like that when I'm in the booth... do it again... I felt like Dave was right there while I was writing." – Dave (11:29)
  • "The record is therapeutic for everybody... you can feel them throughout the record. The whole Cabin of the sky idea to me is, like, he working on the record from up there." – Posdnuos (12:56)

3. Thoughts on Posthumous Albums and Authenticity (13:16 - 14:44)

• The group critiques how record labels mishandle posthumous work, citing respect for how Guru’s final Gang Starr album was made compared to sloppy reworks of Biggie’s material.
  • "I never heard Biggie say a whack verse in my life... they was just pimping that shit on another level." – Fat Joe (13:36)
• Mantra: Quality over quantity, and only collaborate or release music that feels authentic.

4. Native Tongues Collective: Origin & Impact (16:38 - 19:08)

• Formation Story: A casual visit turned into a movement—De La Soul, Jungle Brothers, Q-Tip/Tribe Called Quest, Latifah, Monie Love, and others joined under the shared vibes and values.
  • "Tip was like, 'Yo, man, we got such a vibe together. ...Why don't we put our name on the one name and call it Native Tongues?' And I was like, I'm with it." – Dave (17:29)
• Missing Today: The unity they found back then is rare in today’s industry.

5. Industry Lessons, Label Fights, and Artistic Integrity (39:06 - 46:23)

• On Shady Labels: Raw stories of being young, broke, and easy prey for shady deals; learning “on the job” as artists; and the shock of how business partners can become adversaries.
  • "Someone gives you this opportunity... you really don't know. Like, what they're giving you is like this little piece of bacon from a table that got fucking 7,000 pigs..." – Dave (39:25)
  • "As we learn it, you know... everybody's cutting the deal. The deal is happening based on the value, not what we actually have." – Posdnuos (40:03)
• The guests describe how, even after success, labels tried to re-offer contracts straight from the 1980s, showing persistent disrespect—and how they eventually reclaimed their legacy.
  • "Why would I go back into an 89 deal? Why would he even present me a deal like that?" – Posdnuos (41:06)

Fat Joe’s Perspective

• Joe shares his code of fairness with artists, refusing to "oppress" and always opting to set someone free if they want out—a rarity in the business.

  • "When she told me… I gave her papers in one second. I'm not the oppressor. I never understood the guy who was like, yo, you can't go nowhere..." – Fat Joe (43:23)

• The De La members discuss how the situation was eventually resolved when Tommy Boy sold to Reservoir Media, who resolved the rights issues fairly.

  • "Tommy Boyd sold the company to Reservoir Media... they worked out fairly." – Posdnuos (46:23)

6. Friendships and Camaraderie: Q-Tip, The Lox, and More (23:01 - 24:39)

• Backstage Stories: Tales of mistaken identity, hip hop’s tight-knit community, and ongoing chats and friendly competition via group chats.
  • "Me and this dude and Tip, like, we be in a chat every day... We'll be having battles in the chat." – Dave (23:54)
• Lighthearted banter about Q-Tip’s million-dollar home studio and the organic, supportive energy that has kept these artists bonded for decades.

7. Features on 'Cabin In The Sky' and Collaborative Approach (26:13 - 28:22)

• Star-Studded Collaborators: The album includes Nas, Black Thought, Killer Mike, Common, and more. All features came from authentic connections; the group never chases a collab for clout.
  • "We've never had a problem with asking [who] we felt would be right for a certain track... we always had the mantra of, like, yo, all you could do is say is no." – Dave (27:39)

8. Touring, Longevity, and Aging in Hip Hop (51:33 - 54:34)

• Tour Plans: Hints at a "Cabin In The Sky" tour and ideas for group-centered tours, celebrating the multi-generational appeal of their music.
  • "I think we could pull it off, without question." – Posdnuos (51:44)
• Never Retiring: Drawing parallels with Smokey Robinson, Patti LaBelle, Rolling Stones, the group reflects on staying active as performers for generations of fans.

9. Exclusive Music Preview: 'Run It Back' feat. Nas (57:29 - 61:13)

• The episode debuts "Run It Back", a standout album track featuring Nas—ushered in by enthusiastic reactions from the room.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "You guys paved the way for all of us. Y'all beyond royalty. You're actually the first nice guys I ever listened to."
  – Fat Joe (05:53)

• "The whole Cabin of the sky idea to me is, like, [Dave] working on the record from up there, you know?"
  – Posdnuos (12:56)

• "Someone gives you this opportunity...you really don't know. What they're giving you is like this little piece of bacon from a table that got 7,000 pigs..."
  – Dave (39:25)

• "As we learn it...everybody's cutting the deal. The deal is happening based on the value, not what we actually have."
  – Posdnuos (40:03)

• "Tommy Boyd sold the company to Reservoir Media... they worked out fairly."
  – Posdnuos (46:23)

• "Me and Tip, we got a serious relationship for all these years. People don't know. He might actually be my weirdest friend relationship. Cause Q-Tip don't fuck with nobody..."
  – Fat Joe (23:01)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 04:45 – De La Soul’s impact & the room’s excitement at their presence
• 07:09 – Outpouring of love after Trugoy’s passing
• 09:58 – Making "Cabin In The Sky" without Dave
• 13:16 – Ethics of posthumous releases
• 16:38 – The origin and meaning of Native Tongues
• 23:01 – Q-Tip’s deep relationships & hip hop camaraderie
• 26:13 – Album features, working with Nas, Black Thought, Killer Mike, Common
• 39:06 – Music industry struggles & fighting for artist rights
• 46:23 – Resolving rights issues – sale to Reservoir Media
• 51:33 – Tour plans & performing for generations
• 57:29 – Exclusive: "Run It Back" feat. Nas debuts
• 61:13 – Reflections and signature banter as the show closes

Final Thoughts & Tone

The episode is a blend of nostalgia, deep knowledge, and raw honesty, delivered in true hip hop vernacular and full of both laughter and hard truths. Fat Joe and Jada provide an intensely respectful and appreciative atmosphere, while De La Soul drop behind-the-scenes gems about creative process, resilience, and the importance of treating artists fairly.

Whether you’re a longtime head or curious newcomer, this episode captures the heart and soul of authentic hip hop culture, with the legends themselves passing on their wisdom and memories.

De La Soul, Fat Joe, and Jadakiss: Legends, speaking with love, humor, and the hard-earned authority of those who changed—not just survived—the game.