Stakes Is High is the fourth studio album by American hip hop group De La Soul. It was originally released on July 2, 1996, through Tommy Boy Records. The album marked a change in the group's sound and direction, as it was their first release not produced in collaboration with Prince Paul. Stakes Is High was mainly produced by the group themselves, with additional tracks provided by Jay Dee, DJ Ogee, Spearhead X and Skeff Anslem. It is considered the group's darkest and most serious album.
Stakes Is High deals with many topics, including the state of hip-hop, the commercialization of hip-hop culture, and criticism of gangsta rap. Gangsta rapper 2Pac later retaliated on the song "Against All Odds" from his posthumous 1996 album The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (as well as the unreleased song "Watch Ya Mouth" recorded during the same sessions). Naughty By Nature member Treach also took serious offense at the record, creating a feud that only died down after about a decade and a half after Stakes Is High was released.
Stakes Is High helped introduce rapper Mos Def to a wider audience, on the track "Big Brother Beat". Common also makes an appearance on "The Bizness".
TRACK LISTING:
A1. Intro
A2. Supa Emcees
A3. The Bizness
A4. Yunonstop
A5. Wonce Again Long Island
B1. Dinninit
B2. Brakes
B3. Dog Eat Dog
B4. Baby Baby Baby Ooh Baby
B5. Long Island Degree
C1. Betta Listen
C2. Itzsoweezee (Hot)
C3. 4 More
C4. Big Brother Beat
D1. Down Syndrome
D2. Pony Ride
D3. Stakes Is High
D4. Sunshine