Tommy Boy Records is stepping up to address the drama surrounding a publicized boycott inspired by its rap group De La Soul. The iconic label has decided to delay a much-needed and long-awaited digital release of the trio’s music in order to iron out publicized issues.

According to the label, Tommy Boy is postponing De La Soul’s catalog from entering the streaming world.

“Because Tommy Boy has not had the opportunity to sit down together with De La Soul and finalize our negotiations — something we’ve wanted to do for months — we have decided to postpone the digital release of their catalog scheduled for tomorrow,” the statement reads. “We know fans are eager to hear these amazing recordings and we are hopeful for a quick resolution.” (Variety)

Over the past few days, various hip-hop artists have come to De La’s defense amid the group’s claim of not receiving fair profits off the upcoming digital streams.

Wow – @Nas went IN-IN on #TommyBoy for @WeAreDeLaSoul #SOHHNews pic.twitter.com/eLqm25eIcP

— SOHH (@sohh) February 28, 2019

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I hate that it has come to this. Seriously. But there is no “if I have to choose a side?” #DeLaSoul means everything to me. @WeAreDeLaSoul gave me and millions of music lovers LIFE. I been hoping and wishing and praying for their back catalogue to be made available on digital media FOREVER—-but not like this @tommyboyrecords. This narrative has been going on since the blues, since jazz, since rock n roll, since disco, since soul——-I’m proud of De La for using their voice. Let’s fix this. For the greater good. Let’s be respectful and fair. 90% to the label & 10% to the artist is not fair. Normal protocol is just to accept that’s how it is nowadays. We can change that. Change starts now. As much as it pains me to not cop 10 of those issues each and share all their timeless work of genius to a generation that has no clue—-join me in standing w De La Soul in this #TommyBOYCOTT. Do y’all understand I been waiting DECADES to finally listen to their awe inspiring work in the car, on lunch break, in the gym, just chillin? I can’t do that to them. Until you do right by the soul? There is no convo.

A post shared by Questlove Gomez (@questlove) on Feb 27, 2019 at 8:27am PST

This week, De La Soul hit up Instagram to single out Tommy Boy for taking a massive chunk out of their streaming bucks.

Ah mannnnn……. this doesn't sound good! @WeAreDeLaSoul #SOHHNews pic.twitter.com/XpK3yBASl9

— SOHH (@sohh) February 27, 2019

A few years ago, De La made a bold move to put their music online for diehard fans.

Five years ago, the group decided to bypass official channels and made their entire catalog for free for a short period of time. “It’s about allowing our fans who have been looking and trying to get a hold of our music to have access to it,” De La Soul member Posdnuos told Rolling Stone in 2014. “It’s been too long where our fans haven’t had access to everything. This is our way of showing them how much we love them.” It’s not until now, however, that anyone with a streaming service can easily access that catalog. (Rolling Stone)

The plot thickens…. @WeAreDeLaSoul @nytimes #SOHHNews pic.twitter.com/R8QxjLic6A

— SOHH (@sohh) February 27, 2019

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via an @nytimes 2016 article… interesting… @WeAreDeLaSoul #SOHHNews pic.twitter.com/jTCGQWsKHY

— SOHH (@sohh) February 27, 2019

The post Tommy Boy Responds To Nas, De La Soul & Questlove’s Boycott Smoke By Hurting Fans appeared first on SOHH.com.

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