Search - De La Soul :: Stakes Is High

De La Soul's Masterpiece.

SmokaJ | TORONTO | 03/04/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"De La Soul is a legend of the hip-hop game. They've endured many different styles and personas through their tenure spanning 1989-2001, while producing 6 classic LP's. "Stakes is High" (1996) chronologically sits at #4, following a successfully experimental "Buhloone Mindstate" (1993). This album was their first w/o the production of the legendary Prince Paul, and it seems to me (through the realness and overall chemistry of the album), that "Stakes is High" is De La in their prime. They were only 19 (est.) when they dropped "3 feet...", they hated the way the public mistook them, and eventually branded them as hippies (they kinda asked for it), then two years later they dropped "De La Soul is Dead" announcing and proving to the world that they were true MC's, via a much more serious and raw LP. Then came "Buhloone...", true De La heads know what I mean when I say that this album completely transcended the first two, with it being much more "out-there." Nonetheless the experiment was a success, because the album is sick. Now we come to "Stakes...", in my mind the trio had matured enough and truly found themselves. Their lyrical rhetoric and selection of topic tracks are completely on-point. Coupled with some of the best beats they've ever spit on (I believe the break-beats are perfect for De La's style) gives us one of Hip-Hop's greatest complete albums. Maybe you don't realize it now, but down the road everyone will comprehend what a huge achievement this LP truly was. I have to mention that this album caters to all tastes; it's lounging, "Da Bizness" (#3) & "Long Island Degrees" (#9). Bumpin', "Wonce Again Long Island" (#4) & "Down Syndrome" (#14). Insightful, "Betta Listen" (#10) & "Dog Eat Dog" (#7). And puts you in a great mood, "Dinninit" (#5) & "Sunshine" (#16).The title track, "Stakes is High" (#16), still sends chills through my ears everytime I hear it, peep this:"The instamatic focal point, bringin' damage to your borough, be some brothers from the east with the beats that be thorough / I've got the solar gravitation, so I'm bound to pull it, I gets down like brothers are found - duckin' from bullets / gun control means usin' both hands - in my lands, where it's all about the cautious livan / migratin' to a higher form of consequence...compliments on strugglin', that shouldn't be notable and every word I say should be a hip-hop quoteable."It's one of my favorite tracks ever, by any artist.Bottom Line: This album is a masterpiece. 5 shining stars."

Simply amazing

emceelarynx | Sydney, Australia | 08/08/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"De la Soul came out with 3 feet high, a good album but it was too goofy for me personally, as they releashed subsequent albums more maturity developed within them. And then time came when i heard "Stakes is High"

this album is so beauitful to listen to from start to finish, there isn't a song which i consider a filler. the depth of the lyrics will keep you listening more intently everytime you hear it, while the beats will keep ringing in your ear drums till your next listen.

this album has the key word "longevity" which makes it a classic in my veiw, and is not biased by hype or support for de la.

Although the album may not have been revolutionary or ground breaking, it was an introspective of hip hop and where it was at.

this a masterpiece, you must listen to it and you too will hopefully agree. i might take a few listens but when it clicks u'll be amazed.

check out my favourite de la & hip hop album.

"

Here's alliteration big brother beat the bizness

D. L. Rouse | Yorkville, NYC | 04/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Real hip-hop fans know that 'Stakes is High' is among one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time. The majority of artists out there are happy to have as little as 1 or 2 fillers on an album. These brothers don't even use a lyric as a filler. The album is that tight!!!



"Come on y'all, get live, get down. What we have is a brand new sound." What a debut by Mos Def, tearing up the track w/ the funky duo. Common, Zhane, and Truth Enola also add a little seasoning to the album w/ mad flava. After partly being responsible in creating a brand new hip-hop culture w/ LONS (Busta), the Tribe, the JB's, and others, De La continued to pound out album after album. This album happens to be my favorite. They left the flowers in the garden and produced 17 profound tracks. It is pointless to share my favorite songs because I can rewind every track. The intro was made for listeners to get accustomed to an album full of phat beats and great lyrics. "F*** being hardcore, I make it hard for, whack emcee's to even step inside the door. Because these brothers be rhyming sometiming...". That's being true to the game. MC's representing w/o being something their not. I tell you what can't be denied, they are one of the kings of hip-hop. De La Soul has spanned three decades w/ their sound never going stale, always fresh."