Stakes is High (30th Anniversary) 4LP

De La Soul’s Stakes Is High captures the group at a crucial turning point: older, sharper, and completely locked in. Released in 1996, the album marked their fourth full-length and their first without Prince Paul, opening the door to a tougher, more stripped-back sound led in part by a young J Dilla on the title track. That lead single became one of De La’s signature statements, peaking at No. 53 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, while the album reached No. 4 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. But numbers only tell part of the story — Stakes Is High remains such a vital listen because it hears De La Soul confronting the mid-’90s head-on, with wit, frustration, and a deep sense of artistic confidence. From “The Bizness” to “Itzsoweezee (HOT),” the album balances soulful production and clear-eyed commentary in a way that still feels fresh decades later. It’s one of those records that may not have shouted the loudest on arrival, but its influence and reputation have only grown with time. In celebration of the 30th anniversary, this 4LP box set includes the original album, Instrumentals, and bonus material on spoke effect black and white vinyl in a book box with a UV print of Dave on the vinyl. TRACKLIST: a side A1. INTRO A2. SUPA EMCEES A3. THE BIZNESS (FEAT. COMMON) A4. YUNONSTOP A5. WONCE AGAIN LONG ISLAND a-notha side B1. DINNINIT B2. BRAKES B3. DOG EAT DOG B4. BABY, BABY, BABY, BABY, OOH BABY (FEAT. JAZZYFATNASTEES) B5. LONG ISLAND DEGREES yet a-notha side C1. BETTA LISTEN C2. ITZSOWEEZEE (HOT) C3. 4 MORE (FEAT. ZHANE) C4. BIG BROTHER BEAT (FEAT. MOS DEF) one more side D1. DOWN SYNDROME D2. PONY RIDE (FEAT. TRUTH ENOLA) D3. STAKES IS HIGH D4. SUNSHINE plug won side E1. INTRO (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT) E2. SUPA EMCEES (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT) E3. THE BIZNESS (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT) E4. YUNONSTOP (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT) E5. WONCE AGAIN LONG ISLAND (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT) E6. DINNINIT (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT) E7. BRAKES (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT) E8. DOG EAT DOG (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT) E9. BABY, BABY, BABY, BABY, OOH BABY (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT) plug too side F1. LONG ISLAND DEGREES (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT) F2. BETTA LISTEN (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT) F3. ITZSOWEEZEE (HOT) [INSTRUMENTAL EDIT] F4. 4 MORE (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT) F5. BIG BROTHER BEAT (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT) F6. DOWN SYNDROME (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT) F7. PONY RIDE (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT) F8. STAKES IS HIGH (INSTRUMENTAL) F9. SUNSHINE (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT) plug iii side G1. CHANEL NO. FEVER G2. I CAN’T CALL IT G3. ITZSOWEEZEE (HOT) [DE LA SOUL REMIX] {FEAT. YANKEE B.} G4. STAKES IS HIGH (J DILLA REMIX) [FEAT. MOS DEF AND TRUTH ENOLA] G5. STAKES IS HIGH (J DILLA ALTERNATE REMIX) dave’s side