All Good?
by De La Soul (featuring Chaka Khan)

Album: Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump (2000)
Charted: 33 96
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "All Good?" is the second single from De La Soul's fifth album, Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump. It's a collaboration between the group and soul legend Chaka Khan, who sings the hook and bridge.

    "Chaka Khan was amazing," De La Soul's Posdnous told Uncut magazine. "We had a track that was supposed to be with Outkast and Goodie Mob, but they couldn't make it. We thought a great soul voice would fit well, so we approached Chaka, not thinking she'd agree. It was like having a goddess in the studio! She was very cool but a little nervous."

    "We were lucky to have her engineer working on the sessions," he added. "She'd do a tape and we'd think it was amazing, but her engineer would say, 'Yeah, she can do it even better than that.' So he got us to push her.'"
  • The song talks about people who abandoned or shunned De La Soul after their star faded, and those who attempt to hop back on the bandwagon.

    "That song was going to be called 'All Good,' about things being great, but Chaka thought it would be more interesting if we said that it ain't all great," said Posdnous. "Which is why the title now has a question mark after it."
  • Critics gave the thumbs up to Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump, applauding its lyrical depth, genre-bending musical palette, and strident optimism. The album landed at #9 on the US chart, marking De La Soul's first-ever Top 10 debut. The record's impact didn't stop there, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album in 2001.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And Scandals

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And ScandalsSong Writing

Surprise exits, a catfight and some very memorable performances make our list of the most memorable Idol moments.

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

Booker T. Jones

Booker T. JonesSongwriter Interviews

The Stax legend on how he cooked up "Green Onions," the first time he and Otis Redding saw hippies, and if he'll ever play a digital organ.

John Doe of X

John Doe of XSongwriter Interviews

With his X-wife Exene, John fronts the band X and writes their songs.

Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe ShaverSongwriter Interviews

The outlaw country icon talks about the spiritual element of his songwriting and his Bob Dylan mention.