GaTa, most commonly known as Lil Dicky’s hypeman and friend on the show Dave, was arrested for domestic violence.
According to TMZ, police responded to a physical argument between two parties, which led to GaTa being arrested in Santa Clarita, CA. GaTa was released on a $100K bond and will have a later court date.
Speaking with TMZ, Gata’s lawyer says, “The entire incident between the parties is on video which I am in the process of providing to law enforcement. The video demonstrates clearly that Mr. Ganter did nothing wrong and, instead, tried to de-escalate the situation.”
In the last two weeks, the three members of De La Soul have been at the center of a discussion surrounding ownership of catalog and the fairness of record label contracts. That discourse stems from the trio of Dave, Maseo, and Posdnuos notifying fans on social media that they are unhappy with former label, Tommy Boy Music. The home of De La Soul from the late 1980s into the early 2000s planned to release the trio’s first six albums digitally, for the first time. That celebratory news was marred with dissatisfaction from the group. The artists alleged that they were told that they would receive 10% of the royalties from streams and digital sales. Several social media posts, along with a revealing Sway In The Morning interview rallied peers and fans. JAY-Z, Nas, Questlove, Jarobi White, and Masta Ace are just some of the artists who called for action against the nearly 40-year-old label. Tidal responded by declining to host the six albums until a satisfying contract was in place. Subsequently, Tommy Boy responded by postponing its plans, in hopes to reach such an agreement. Joe Budden Breaks Down In Tears Discussing De La Soul’s Economic Plight (Video) As of March 9, no settlement has been reached. 1989’s 3 Feet High AndRising, 1991’s De La Soul Is Dead, 1993’s Buhloone-Mindstate, 1996’s Stakes Is High, 2000’s Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump, and 2001’s AOI: Bionix all remain off of digital retailers and streaming platforms. However, all three members of De La Soul appeared on Drink Champs to discuss the matters with hosts N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN. Notably, N.O.R.E. has firsthand experience with Tommy Boy and its namesake founder, Tom Silverman. In a partnership with Penalty Records, Tommy Boy released Capone-N-Noreaga’s seminal debut, 1997’s The War Report as well as the host’s solo debut, 1998’s N.O.R.E. Both efforts are certified gold. However, N.O.R.E. alleges that he was always told that neither album recouped from its budget. Last month, De La Soul spoke about a “phantom $2 million debt” that their former label has cited. Like De La, N.O.R.E. said that he unsuccessfully tried to buy back his early releases in years past. Tommy Boy Has Agreed To Negotiate Better Terms With De La Soul For Their Music In an exclusive segment of De La’s Drink Champs episode, the group spoke about where they are right now. Together, two former Tommy Boy acts discuss the renewed focus of ownership in 2019. “We had a few record exec people reach out behind the scenes,” Posdnuos reveals, surrounding the status of De La Soul’s Tommy Boy catalog. “Big up to Steve Stoute; he reached out,” Maseo adds ahead of the 7:00 mark, referring to a veteran manager and UnitedMasters founder whose career is closely tied to Nas, JAY-Z, and Will Smith. De La Soul Speak In Detail About What Went Wrong With Their Record Company N.O.R.E. responds, “It’s kinda fly now to own your masters. Like back [when we signed our first contracts], we wasn’t really thinkin’ like that. I’m speaking for myself, not you guys—like I was thinking about an advance, gettin’ some jewelry [and other material goods]. Now, it’s fly to actually own your material because we want to leave something to [our] children. You ever seen a person that lives in the projects for 30 years? They don’t own [the apartment], but it’s their house! That’s what it feels like!” The group affirms the statement as N.O.R.E. says he has family members who can relate to that declaration. “A good thing for [the housing authority] to do is to say, ‘You know what? You should own that.’ Tom Silverman, if you’re listening—’cause I know you are—this is the best time for you to lead the pack! You lead the way and say, you know what, I’m gonna stop doin’ business in this way. You could take this, Tom, and you could flip this whole sh*t, and you could be the winner! You could say, you know what? I’ma give them 50% of their sh*t so everybody [can make money].” N.O.R.E. adds that other former acts from Tommy Boy’s legendary run such as Queen Latifah, Naughty By Nature could benefit and celebrate. Maseo responds claiming that he wants to give people the opportunity to “change because we have been given the opportunity to change.” “I think he has an opportunity to lead the way,” N.O.R.E. echoes at 27:00. “‘Cause there’s a lot of people who need these albums—beyond wanting, need these albums. That is a part of Hip-Hop [and this] is a piece missing in Hip-Hop. You can’t tell the story of Hip-Hop and then not have that there,” the host charges. “There’s dual value; The value is in the culture and the history, as well as your pocket. And if you’ve only got a concept of one [idea], that’s where the problem lies,” Dave responds. T.I. Joins Roc Nation, Announces Part Ownership In Tidal While N.O.R.E. suggests a 50% partnership, the group says, in no uncertain terms, that they seek ownership. The host asks the Native Tongues co-founders, “what is your [desired] end result?” At 11:30, Plug 3 says, “At this point, ownership. Owning my catalog, that would make a world of difference. That’d make it easy to show up for work and do what we need to do.” N.O.R.E. embraces the DJ/producer as the live studio audience applauds. The Queens, New York MC-turned-host proclaims, “It’s time to make that right. I feel y’all so much.” Maseo adds that since 2002, De La Soul has exclusively done partnerships. That includes releases with Sanctuary Urban, Nike, a crowd-sourced album, and an upcoming DJ Premier and Pete Rock-produced release in conjunction with Nas’ Mass Appeal Records imprint. Maseo adds that following a Super Bowl Halftime performance, he understands that Missy Elliott sold more than a million downloads of catalog hit “Work It.” Thus, he feels that following President Obama’s 2016 personal request to perform on The White House lawn, De La Soul could have made significant revenue from the now-30-year-old “Me, Myself & I.” However, the song was digitally unavailable. Despite hurdles such as this, 3 Feet High… has reached The Library Of Congress archives and achieved other esteemed feats. Xzibit Explains Why Pimp My Ride Was Profitable For Everyone But Him At 13:30, the interview broaches what De La Soul seeks in negotiation. “What can the fans do?” DJ EFN asks the Grammy Award-winning trio. “I would sincerely ask in support of the fans and the culture, yo, don’t press play. If [the catalog] actually comes up online, don’t press play until we give it a go—’til we actually say, ‘Yo, we’re happy. Thumbs up, guys. Let’s rock. We kissed; we made up.’ Until we say [that], do not press play. If anything, you can get The Grind Date [as well as] and the Anonymous Nobody…; you can get those two [albums].” DJ EFN suggests that fans are still hungry to hear the music. “At the end of the day, it’s your choice,” responds Mase’. “I want [fans] to have it; I really do. But sh*t ain’t right. Period. So let’s get it right. And if you want to support, don’t press play.” N.O.R.E. likens the fans’ struggle with the NFL boycott surrounding Colin Kaepernick’s protests. Maseo, whose son, Tre Mason, was in the NFL for several years, agrees. “Absolutely. Because you’re a fan of players out there, you know people out there that’s playin’, you’re connected to the game your whole life, it’s America’s thing. Just like Hip-Hop. It’s America’s thing, the world’s thing, an international thing. Yeah, and we ain’t really still playin’ it fair.” The Man Who Guided Nas’ Career Has $70 Million To Help Hip-Hop Artists Keep Their Masters At 26:30, N.O.R.E. reveals that through a third-party, Tom Silverman was invited to participate in the episode discussion. Silverman, who founded his label in the early 1980s, reportedly declined in effort to progress with negotiations. “That’s all we’re trying to do: We just want to find a happy place with all this, man” Dave notes, after acknowledging that reported decision. Pos’ adds that many people have had a constructive dialogue with the group during the last two weeks. He suggests people that know Tom Silverman and the label staff do the same in hopes of reaching an agreement or understanding. N.O.R.E. speaks about his former employer near the close of the clip. “It’s his chance to say, you know what? These are kids that I signed, these are kids that I was part of their career, and now they’re grown men. Let me do business with them as such.” The group harmonizes the last two words in the statement with the Drink Champs host. “This is your turn to do that, and you can lead the way.” DJ EFN adds that such a move would “revamp the way business is done.” N.O.R.E. interjects, “You can rectify the situation and say, [let us] be business partners from here on out. ‘Partners’ is the keyword.” The host asserts that in addition to De La Soul and Tommy Boy, Hip-Hop is now at the negotiation table. Kendrick Lamar Is Now A Part Owner Of His Record Company
The full De La SoulDrink Champs episode premieres on March 28 on Revolt and March 29 digitally.
It has been 30 years since De La Soul released its debut album, 3 Feet High And Rising. That 1989 Prince Paul-produced work has since achieved platinum certification as well as monstrous critical acclaim for its clever rhymes and innovative sampling techniques. In addition to more than a million shelves, that Tommy Boy Records release now sits in the Library Of Congress music archives. For the next 13 years, De La stayed with the label they were with at the start of their careers. They released five additional studio albums, along with various live works and compilations. This discography included celebrated works such as 1991’s gold-certified De La Soul Is Dead, and 1996’s Stakes Is High. Other moments include Buhloone-Mindstate, Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump, and follow-up AOI: Bionix. De La Soul Have Hope Their Classics Will Finally Be Available Online While those six titles and companion compilations decorate the vinyl, cassette, and CD shelves of many, they have never been available on digital retailers or streaming platforms. In 2016, The New York Times‘ Finn Cohen examined the situation, speaking to De La, Tommy Boy founder Tom Silverman, and Warner Bros. executives, responsible for legacy content. While De La members Posdnuos, Dave, and Maseo admitted some optimism, lots of red tape seemingly stood in the way. Those hurdles were reportedly due to copyright holders and sampling, especially on the earlier half of the catalog. The label system has been a complicated space for De La Soul throughout the last 30 years. After addressing frustrations with the imprint in songs and skits, the relationship ended after Bionix. In early 2002, Tommy Boy’s recorded music and publishing catalog were sold to Warner Bros. Records for more than $10 million. The label remained in business, but its Hip-Hop acts moved to the major, who had been distributing Tommy Boy since the late 1980s. In the transaction, De La Soul understood that they were headed to the Warner-backed Elektra imprint, a longtime home to fellow Native Tongues member Busta Rhymes. Thanking Tommy Boy for their service, Posdnuos told AllHipHop that the group was excited to have a new machine behind it in a changing marketplace. However, history shows that nothing came from the brief move. Pete Rock Gives A Fantastic Update On The De La Soul Project He & DJ Premier Are Producing Although Elektra soon dissolved in a merger, De La Soulnext released an album in 2004 with The Grind Date. That LP arrived through Sanctuary Urban/BMG Music, and was the first of several indie releases for the Long Island, New York veterans. That release featured Beyoncé and Solange’s father, Mathew Knowles, as top exec. It and 2016’s Grammy-nominated and the Anonymous Nobody…are available to stream and purchase online. That is not the case for a 2009 Nike-commissioned mixtape and a 2006 Art Official Intelligence compilation. In 2015, De La avoided the label rigmarole entirely and allowed fans to fund its ninth album in advance. Asking for $110,000 to make and the Anonymous Nobody…, the group received more than four times the ask in just hours. In the process Plug 1, Plug 2, and Plug 3 rewarded donors with memorabilia, fan experiences, and physical copies of the 2016 Grammy-nominated LP. In August of 2017, Billboard reported that Silverman re-acquired his catalog from Warner, including the De La Soul assets. A year and a half later, Tommy Boy Music is reportedly planning to bring those first six De La albums to the Internet marketplace. However, for De La Soul, who broke the news, this development is not a happy occasion.
Royce 5’9″ Explains Choosing To Sign With Tommy Boy Instead Of Dr. Dre (Video) Today (February 26), De La Soul notified its fans that the music will be made available soon. However, on the group’s social media accounts, the trio expressed disappointment with the accounting surrounding their digital catalog. “Your purchases will go 90% Tommy Boy, 10% De La,” the group posted, approximating the splits. In a caption, the group added, “Don’t feed the vultures, support and respect the culture.” The three men encouraged fans to support its two most recent releases, which presumably provide more lucrative revenue to the group. They also hash-tagged the copy of the post #thephantom2milliondollardebt. That is presumed to be a reference to the elements of the catalog not yet recouping, or becoming profitable per the initial agreement. Two posts on Monday (February 25) confirmed that the trio was in recent contact with Tommy Boy, and disappointed with the discussion. They urged fans to contact their former label with “RespectTheCulture,” “RespectTheArt,” and “RespectTheArtist” on social media. In 2014, De La Soul hosted a one-day free music giveaway from its website, making its catalog available for free download. They have regularly treated fans to free music and surprise singles.
