De La Soul - Stakes Is High

Released: July 2, 1996

From 1989 to 2015, 26 years of classic songs, De La Soul still remains one of the best but underrated groups of all time. From the funky "Me, Myself & I" to the Dilla tribute mixtape they did last year, everything about them is great. The lyrical delivery from Plug One: Posdnous, the decent rhymes from Plug Two: Dave, and the input from the DJ, Maseo. It's still sad today that they don't get the credit they deserve, unlike A Tribe Called Quest, whereas they were the ones (along with Jungle Brothers) that jumpstarted their career, and their first 3 albums (especially 3 Feet High & Rising) still has an influence on hip-hop. But there was a time where they ended up laying a bit off the positive lyrics and started going harder than ever before (which is pretty much what they've been doing ever since then).

Everybody knows that their two albums, 3 Feet High & Rising and De La Soul Is Dead are pretty good albums, known for their positive vibes. Their third album, Buhloone Mindstate (released on Dave's birthday), however, saw a near-change to their original content as some much personal content managed to make it on the album. But after that, it was then De La were angry at the state of hip-hop, with gangsta rap rising up, from the East to the West, along with the commercialization of the hip-hop culture (I mean, come on, at that time, so much was happening with the bling-bling, money-obsessed, lifestyle rappers, especially with gangsta rap). So you know what happened? Their anger about those topics managed to influence what would be their next album.

And remember when I said in my Reasonable Doubt review that Nas' second album It Was Written would come a week after Jay's album? Well, not only that album dropped, but on that very same day, it was the release of Stakes Is High. Released on July 2, the album features 17 tracks, with features from Common, Truth Enola, Jazzyfatnastees & Zhané (and yes, this was the album that jumpstarted the career of one legendary person. That person was Yasiin Bey Mos Def, as he earned his first appearance), and was the first album not to be produced by their fellow friend Prince Paul. Instead, De La took a turn on the boards, with additional production from Spearhead X, Skeff Anselm, O.Gee and, of course, the legendary J Dilla. Also, Posdnous used the moniker "Plug One" more on the album unlike the first 3 albums, and Dave decided to use his latter of his moniker, "Dove" (short for Trugoy the Dove), and would later go under his short real name. Anyway, due to the different production, it did take a little away from the positive, get-down vibes that they normally had in their first 3 albums. With this, and the much more serious content of the album, this managed to (kinda) continue in their later albums, where they began to rant a little, talking about how hip-hop is like.

Obviously, you should know Stakes Is High wasn't the type to go platinum or sell a lot, especially when a quarter of the content on the album focuses on commercialization. However, music critics did praise the album. And no, it wasn't an widely influential album like 3 Feet High & Rising was, as most of the time, a lot of people liked their earlier positive work than their post-Stakes Is High work, probably due to the presence of Prince Paul (but hell, there are some who call Stakes their best work yet, I won't call it that, but to be honest, I did like it a little better than 3 Feet High). The album would cause controversy (mostly due to the content) as Treach from Naughty By Nature would misinterpret a line in the intro, and 2Pac would diss the group in a song called "Against All Odds" (nah, I'm not with you on that, Pac).

But anyway, Was this any good? Did the group suit on different production that Paul's? And why is this my favourite De La album behind 3 Feet High & Rising and The Grind Date? Nope, I'm not even kidding, it is, and you're gonna find out why.

1. Intro

The thing about this is that most of their intros, even the ones after this album, are normally skits or some interlude... who knows, probably to lead to the next song or just to be silly. However, unlike their first 3 albums where silly and comedic skits were heavily seen, De La play no games as they both do killer verses on a sick instrumental. Pos murks the intro, especially with the outstanding line: "De La Soul is here to stay like racism" (I mean, as if racism ever ended, and De La are one of the groups who haven't broke up to this day), and a certain line that was misinterpreted by Treach of Naughty By Nature (damn, misinterpretation is something, huh). Dave continues with a louder than usual flow (you should know around this time until Mosaic Thump, he had a monotone and a little laidback style), as he comes with some nice punchlines and references, and I like how it ended, showing even with the content of how serious they became on the album, they still had time to be positive. I can't believe an album intro would be a standout, this is a very awesome song.

2. Supa Emcees

De La reminisces about the "good old times" where there were MCs that had talent, but with a lot of people trying to be like that, they manage to say it isn't good for them. Now, I despise people that have generic statements, talking about "hip-hop is about talent" or "real hip-hop", especially on every rap music video on YouTube, but this was interesting. I mean, it was '96, and gangsta rap was still taking off with the East/West Coast feud. Both Pos & Dave have good verses, with Pos still killing it with his hot rhymes. It's something I can listen to in peace, and it's a good way to lead you into the explicit content you are about to hear the more you get into this album.

3. The Bizness (Feat. Common)

C-to-the-O-double-M-O-N is the first guest and he comes on this one hell of a standout. I love this song. With the sound bite from Craig Mack's "Get Down" suiting very well at the beginning, the group and Com both nail it on the name-spelling hook that is reminiscent of old school rap songs. Dave does well with his first verse, and comes out alright. Common is the highlight with his sick rhymes, which departs from his normal "conscious" self and lets in his fun side, which he previously saw in Can I Borrow A Dollar? (and damn, my thoughts have changed on that since I reviewed it). And P-L-U-the-G-to-the-One aka Posdnous concludes with the second best verse, and was a good way to end the song. But yeah, this song is real funky, and it doesn't fail to impress me at all. And De La didn't do bad on the boards. Best track on the album!

4. Wonce Again Long Island

Pos get his own song on the album and uses the opportunity very well. It used to be something I didn't care about (well, I did keep on saying "Long Island" even when I don't come from there, I'm a Londoner, hehe), but I've managed to get used to it, and Pos' three verses were pretty decent. The beat was actually very nice to hear, and while it's a situation where Dave is absent, I still love this song. Only Lord knows why they spelled "once" with a "W" though!

5. Dinninit

One thing about Stakes Is High is that they were still using some positive vibes, and they weren't necessarily letting it all go from the album. This was a good song, and it showed just that the vibes were still there. One thing about this was that this exact sample used in this song was previously or later flipped in Large Professor's "IJUSWANNACHILL" (the reason why I said "previously or later" was mainly because it's unknown whether this came out before "Dinninit" or after. And yes, the 2 songs were both out in the same year), and that song was flipped pretty well. Anyway, both Pos & Dave do well and managed to suit well and have fun, especially when the album has really dark content, and the beat from Spearhead X was pretty great for them, and the hook can give older De La fans some nostalgia, especially with the fun hooks that would've been used in their first 3 albums. And finally, the way Pos repeats the title is really nice to hear. Overall. a pretty decent song.

6. Brakes

No matter how many times I listened to this song, I always got the assumption that it's a solo for Pos, and it did make me cringe, considering that he just had one 2 songs ago. But Dave is actually here too. Anyway, with the old school vibes (mixed with a dark feel), this song is alright, but skippable at times. Pos did a good job, while Dave managed to use a little better style for his verse. And Pos sounds like he's trying to yell, but his ego is stopping him. Oh well... NEXT!

7. Dog Eat Dog

This song isn't as bad as I thought. I used to skip this song a lot, and at times, I never cared for it. But it's actually pretty great. Dave does a lot here, and that's what makes it sound more like a Dave song with a Pos feature. The beat is alright, a little funky, and the content is pretty positive. Dave starts it off good, and his verse was actually hot. However, Pos actually had something to rap about, and actually murks this track. This has ended up becoming one of my favourites here.

8. Baby Baby Baby Baby Ooh Baby

With a quarter of the album's content focusing of the commercialization of hip-hop, De La had to put an interlude which parodies the annoying "Gangsta Love" and party songs on the radio (at that time) that always had a female singer. Around the time this album came out, them type of rap songs were blowing on the radio (whether it was from Bad Boy, Death Row or Ruff Ryders), and even while at the time, some of those party/love rap songs can be classics to this day, there were a lot of annoying ones, and De La focuses on that nicely. Mainly because this was pretty annoying! Pos did sound alright tho. But, to make a little long write up short... Meh!

9. Long Island Degrees

A lot of people found this a little boring, probably because of the really laidback sample that could put listeners to sleep. But this song is actually amazing, in my opinion. Dave and Pos go back-and-forth without no hook, and the beat is chill. Pos murked this song, and the content of his verses were nice, especially with his flow. And I really like how the two both managed to flow really well on this song. The skit at the end where a redneck said rap is 'niggers talking' made me cringe though.

10. Betta Listen

This is probably the only song where they tried too much to sound positive, and this actually sounded very boring. I didn't like the beat and both Pos & Dave sounded a little boring. So... Meh!

11. Itzoweezee (HOT)

Dave finally gets a shot at being on his own this time, considering that he hardly does much other than being with De La. The content of this actually was interesting, and Dave's subject matter was on point. Out of the two solos on the album, I liked this more, and the fact this was a single that had an amazing music video is pretty nice to think about. Overall, the bracket title pretty much describes this song: HOT! A standout on the album.

12. 4 More (Feat. Zhanè)

I can be really keen on rapper/singer collabs, but this was really boring. So... NEXT!

13. Big Brother Beat (Feat. Mos Def)

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this was Mos Def's first appearance after a few years of being a young actor. Pos, Dave and Mos are all together on this song, and they are all flawless. And for a first appearance, Mos does a good job. I really liked Pos' rhymes, they were on point and I loved it. This is something I can vibe to, and it doesn't disappoint at all. Another standout on the album.

14. Down Syndrome

This is where De La gets a lot serious. This was known as the song previewed at the end of "The Bizness" aka track 3, and Pos & Dave share each verse, and both come out flawless. Dave uses his louder flow, previously used in the Intro, and actually does better with it than before. Pos, however, takes the shine, and the second verse shows just that, especially when he came with some heat: "So when I ran a phrase in June, you couldn't catch it till December". Overall, this was sick. The two rappers both came with buckets of heat, and they impressed me with it. Once again, another standout!

15. Pony Ride (Feat. Truth Enola)

The thing with this is that this was considered another boring song, just like "Long Island Degrees". But this is actually a hot song. Yes, this song does sound a lot like someone is messing with the radio volume in the car, just to piss their friends off, but it's when the bass comes in on Dave's verse that this honestly ends up being more appreciative. And speaking of the verses, Dave started off pretty great, and had a line that actually caught my attention: "Funny how those you love love the evil they do". (Still-)unknown rapper Truth Enola comes with a little boring verse, which is still something I don't mind hearing. And before a certain killer verse, the beat kinda switches up with a trumpet during the beat break, and now we got Plug One aka Pos who once again, delivers an amazing verse, with his subject matter being very nice. Overall, this is a great song.

16. Stakes Is High

The title track FINALLY comes on, and it doesn't fail at all. After so many decent songs, the one and only is now playing. J Dilla comes through on the boards, and oh damn, is he wonderful?! Both Pos & Dave rap about their frustration on hip-hop (back in the time this was released), with everything that was happening from gangsta rap & drugs to fashion & rapper/singer collabs, which, if released in this day & age, would be much relatable, considering that it's more portrayed in our generation than back in 1996. I managed to like Dave's part in the first verse, which focuses on what he was sick of (one which was "R&B bitches over bullshit tracks" and well... "4 More" falls into that type). And as the song goes on. Pos focuses on more better subjects like gun control, love, and a lot more. 19 years later, this song still holds up. The topics were on point, the beat was monstrous, and I was more appreciative on how they had the guts to talk about it, no matter how many rappers they were gonna offend. This song is a freaking CLASSIC!

17. Sunshine

Oh, but it doesn't end there. De La concludes the album with a much positive song, and it's fire!!! Both Dave & Posdnous come with some decent verses, on an instrumental that is actually very great. This was one of the songs I used to ignore, but due to a journey to Costco, all that changed! This was hot, and was a good way to end this one hell of an album.

Stakes Is High proves to be such a great ass album to listen to. In a time where positive rap was dying, and De La & A Tribe Called Quest weren't being taken seriously like people would with others, it was good to see Posdnous & Dave get serious for once, heavily showing that on the album. They were on the boards more often, with Prince Paul nowhere to be found, proving how they can still make a pretty decent album without him. And most of the songs got a little darker (especially in terms of content), although keeping the positive vibes together for the fans to not be that disappointed. The production was on point, with fire beats like "Itzoweezee". "Stakes Is High". "The Bizness" and "Long Island Degrees". And the guests killed their opportunity, especially Common & Mos Def, respectively on "The Bizness" and "Big Brother Beat". And all this eventually led for this to be my third favourite De La album, as I love the fact that they had the guts to talk about the state of hip-hop on an album meant to be sold to the public, and if released today, would be something much appreciative, considering that people think hip-hop has gotten worse since the album dropped. I seriously recommend a purchase. Buy it, illegally download it, listen to it on YouTube, do anything with that album. It's seriously good, and I get chills listening to that album. It's more of an album meant for your headphones, instead of banging in the whip while you got the aux cord. If you want something you can bang in your car this Summer, get Dirty Sprite 2, because this album ain't for you. Overall, this album was freaking FIRE, and if you're sleeping on this, WAKE UP!!!!!

The Spectacular Se7en

Stakes Is High

The Bizness 

Itzoweezee (HOT)

Big Brother Beat

Down Syndrome

Long Island Degrees

Pony Ride

Pretty much everything on this album is recommendable. That's how good this album is!