Stakes Is High

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Stakes Is High is De La Soul's fourth album and was released on 2 July 1996 on Tommy Boy Records. For the first time the group did not work with Prince Paul: the production he delivered did not, according to the group, suit the mood of the record. Most of it was produced by the three themselves, with extra tracks by Jay Dee, DJ Ogee, Spearhead X and Skeff Anslem.

The album is regarded as the group's darkest and most serious. It deals with the state of hip hop, the commercialisation of hip hop culture and criticism of gangsta rap. Mos Def reached a wider audience through Big Brother Beat and Common appears on The Bizness. Between the songs are audio clips, such as people telling where they were when they first heard Criminal Minded. The reviews were mostly strong, though sales disappointed. Robert Christgau wrote that it was a relief that the group was back.

Listening

Track list

1. 1Intro (Stakes Is High)2:35Apple Music ↗
2. 2Supa Emcees3:40Apple Music ↗
3. 3The Bizness (feat. Common)4:22Apple Music ↗
4. 4Yunonstop1:17Apple Music ↗
5. 5Wonce Again Long Island3:39Apple Music ↗
6. 6Dinninit4:21Apple Music ↗
7. 7Brakes4:07Apple Music ↗
8. 8Dog Eat Dog3:38Apple Music ↗
9. 9Baby Baby Baby Baby Ooh Baby (feat. Jazzyfatnastees)2:08Apple Music ↗
10. 10Long Island Degrees3:27Apple Music ↗
11. 11Betta Listen4:28Apple Music ↗
12. 12Itsoweezee (Hot)4:48Apple Music ↗
13. 134 More (feat. Zhane)4:18Apple Music ↗
14. 14Big Brother Beat (feat. Mos Def)3:43Apple Music ↗
15. 15Down Syndrome3:04Apple Music ↗
16. 16Pony Ride (feat. Truth Enola)5:27Apple Music ↗
17. 17Stakes Is High5:30Apple Music ↗
18. 18Sunshine3:41Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗