Podcast Summary

Takin’ A Walk – Music History with Buzz Knight

Episode: Celebrating Timeless Rhymes: De La Soul’s The Grind Date Turns 20
Guest: Kelvin Mercer (Posdnuos from De La Soul)
Date: January 17, 2026
Host: Buzz Knight

Overview

This episode commemorates the 20th anniversary of De La Soul’s landmark album The Grind Date. Host Buzz Knight shares a rich conversation with Kelvin Mercer (Posdnuos), exploring the history, collaborators, creative magic, and enduring impact of the album. Mercer offers personal reflections on his journey in hip-hop, the evolution of De La Soul, tales about iconic collaborations—legends like J Dilla, Madlib, Ghostface Killah, Common, MF DOOM—industry challenges, resilience, and how he’s stayed inspired through four decades in music.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Significance of The Grind Date at 20 Years ([02:23]–[06:00])

• Mercer reflects on the blessing of still making relevant music after so many albums.
• The album’s freshness and continued fan interest, especially in unreleased bonus tracks.
• “When you’re creating in the moment ... I don’t know if you really say like, ‘I want this to be here forever.’ You just never know. So let alone feel like it’s not dated ... I just really step back and feel like I’m blessed.” (Kelvin Mercer, [04:23])

Notable Quote:

“You get to this point to still be creating ... to now have that thing you created come up on an anniversary this far down the line and people still feel it’s relevant ... It feels great, man. It feels good and I’m just proud of it.”
— Kelvin Mercer ([04:23])

2. Deep Dive on Album Collaborators ([06:00]–[14:26])

Mercer gives detailed, affectionate tributes to the group’s key creative partners:

• J Dilla (JD): “He will always be an ingredient on any project we do from that point on.”
• Madlib: Provided massive amounts of beats and inspiration: “It was almost like I would just spend days ... like, wow, this is incredible.”
• Super Dave West: Became “damn near like a part of De La at that point.”
• Jake One: Connected through Vitamin D; delivered “Rock Co.Kane Flow” and “Days of our Lives.”
• Ghostface Killah: Added “so much life” to the project.
• Common: A close family friend; asked to be on the album to remind them, “I still rhyme, don’t get it twisted!” ([11:06])
• Flavor Flav: Rarely does ad-libs for non-Public Enemy tracks, but made an exception: “I love y’all, and that’s why I’m doing this.” ([11:07])
• Yummy: “Her voice could be magic.”
• MF DOOM: The session was especially memorable: “He had the mask with him ... with this devilish grin ... He went in that booth, he lit that thing on fire.”
  (Kelvin Mercer, [13:40])

Notable Moment:

“Flavor Flav ... was like, ‘If y’all really think about it ... you don’t really find me talking on anything outside of Public Enemy ... I only do that with Chuck. I love y’all, and that’s why I’m doing this.’ ... It took it to a whole nother level for us.”
— Kelvin Mercer ([11:07]–[12:25])

3. The Creative Spark & Chemistry ([14:26]–[15:58])

• Certain tracks, especially “Rock Co.Kane Flow,” gave the group goosebumps.
• Example: Mercer considered recruiting Lenny Kravitz for a guitar outro, “but the rest of the crew said I was going too far!” ([15:03])
• Moments of serendipity and creative electricity injected the recording sessions.

Notable Quote:

“You just get these goosebumps, man, you’re like, yo, this is going to be something ...”
— Kelvin Mercer ([15:58])

4. Posdnuos’ Hip-Hop Origin Story ([15:58]–[18:35])

• Grew up absorbing music from disco, R&B, and what’s now called yacht rock.
• First inspired by the DIY spirit of hip-hop—rhyming over favorite records, neighborhood tapes, basement shows.
• Early interactions with artists like Biz Markie and local heroes proved success was within reach.

Notable Quote:

“Hip-hop honestly called out to me ... me, Dave, and Mace, just practicing ... and just getting better.”
— Kelvin Mercer ([16:12])

5. Mentors & Influences ([22:38]–[25:02])

• Primarily inspired by watching legends at clubs like Latin Quarters; experiencing the energy up close.
• Music teacher Everett Collins (Isley Brothers, Surface) was a grounding mentor on his block, blending humility and industry insight.

Notable Quote:

“…just to have ... all the things you were viewing on your own, you could just talk about from this amazing musician who was a part of the industry ...”
— Kelvin Mercer ([24:31])

6. De La Soul’s Breakthrough Moment ([25:02]–[28:20])

• Prince Paul’s entry was the catalyst; after remixing for local artists (“Gangsta B”), he heard De La Soul’s demos and “felt like, this is what I want ... please tell your guys, come to my house.”
• Once Prince Paul was involved, the group's confidence soared: “I just knew it was going to happen from there.”

7. Challenges: Business, Labels, and Sampling ([28:20]–[32:38])

• Early naivete in sample clearance; after legal hurdles, De La Soul helped pioneer the “sample lawyers” business.
• Became meticulous in business dealings; developed new awareness of the need for clearance and transparency with labels and external clearance companies.

Notable Quote:

“Between De La Soul and Biz Markie, we actually created the business of sample lawyers.”
— Kelvin Mercer ([28:39])

8. Recognition and Awards ([32:38]–[34:35])

• Winning a Grammy is “somewhat of a confirmation ... that people are acknowledging it.”
• De La Soul never made records to win awards; it’s about the art.
• The real reward: “Fans and listeners can feel that, like, you’ve touched my soul ... and we were rewarded for it.”

9. Staying Inspired Across the Decades ([34:35]–[36:41])

• Posdnuos is a relentless music fan, always listening to new material, college radio, searching for inspiration.
• Even when the content doesn’t resonate, the energy of young artists keeps him engaged.
• Inspiration comes from everywhere: “I sponge that to put it back into my pen or whatever I’m creating.”

Notable Quote:

“Even to this day, as a 55-year-old man, I’m on every site you can think of ... taking the time to even ... just look at my kids and look at my wife ... I sponge that to put it back into my pen.”
— Kelvin Mercer ([34:43])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “I would take a walk with my moms ... I would want to just take a walk with her and see if she approved of how I’ve been as a father to my five kids.”
  — Kelvin Mercer ([03:07])
• “When you’re creating in the moment ... you just never know ... So let alone feel like it’s not dated. And so I feel like it feels great, man ... I’m just proud of it.”
  — Kelvin Mercer ([04:23])
• “Flavor Flav ... I only do that [signature ad-libs] with Chuck. And he said, I love y’all, and that’s why I’m doing this ...”
  — Kelvin Mercer ([11:07])
• “Hip-hop honestly called out to me ...”
  — Kelvin Mercer ([16:12])
• “Between De La Soul and Biz Markie, we actually created the business of sample lawyers.”
  — Kelvin Mercer ([28:39])
• “I just come from an era ... we never made records to win Grammys ... We made this piece of art ... and we had the superpower to make it.”
  — Kelvin Mercer ([32:47])
• “Even to this day, as a 55-year-old man, I’m on every site you can think of ... I sponge that to put it back into my pen.”
  — Kelvin Mercer ([34:43])

Important Timestamps

• [02:23] – Album anniversary and reflection on its legacy
• [06:34] – Deep dive into album collaborators
• [11:06] – Flavor Flav and contributions from featured artists
• [13:40] – MF DOOM collaboration and stories
• [15:58] – Artistic chemistry and creative “goosebumps” moments
• [16:12] – Early influences and deciding to pursue music
• [22:55] – Mentorship, the Latin Quarters scene, Everett Collins
• [25:17] – Key turning point: Prince Paul’s involvement
• [28:39] – Sample clearance challenges and the origins of “sample lawyers”
• [32:47] – The meaning of winning a Grammy
• [34:43] – How Mercer stays inspired after decades in music

Tone and Essence

The episode flows as a deeply heartfelt, conversational walk through memory lane. Mercer reminisces candidly, weaving personal stories with music history, and brimming with gratitude for the fans, collaborators, and experiences. The tone is warm, reflective, humorous at times, and always deeply passionate about art and community.

Summary Takeaway

This episode is a treasure-trove for fans of both De La Soul and broader hip-hop history. Listeners are treated to rich behind-the-scenes tales of The Grind Date, candid reflection on the evolution of the music industry, and the enduring spirit that compels true artists to keep pushing boundaries. Mercer’s authenticity and humility shine, offering inspiration not only for musicians but for anyone striving to leave a legacy of integrity, creativity, and connection.