That’s interesting and I am a bit skeptical of that rumor. When Bob James sued Stones Throw and Madlib in 2015, I read an article or comment online that implied the label had a very thorough process for clearing samples and that particular sample had slipped through the cracks.
https://www.okayplayer.com/news/bob-james-is-suing-madlib-stones-throw-for-copyright-infringement.html

Otis (yes, I just referred to Madlib by his gub’ment name) had been talking about becoming more independent and releasing his own music on Madlib Invasion for a while. I think his split from Stones Throw is much deeper than samples, if it was even about that to begin with.... I’m sure multiple issues were at play, like money. All kinds of things probably were going on and came to a head.

For example, I read an LA Weekly profile where Madlib had gone missing and his peers couldn’t find him. We all know he’s a bit reclusive and likes to do his own thing. I can see how that could have caused some issues. Dude is probably not interested in answering to nobody!

And as Egon mentioned in this Noisey video, Madlib was the star of the label. Maybe he didn’t like that, the heavy reliance on him. I could go on with possible issues that emerged. I really don’t think the split was about uncleared samples, tho.

I searched PB Wolf’s name in my Apple Podcast app and I see a few interviews from the last two years. Best believe I will be listening to these this weekend for some potential nuggets. I’m sure someone has asked him what’s going on.