Stakes Is High

Stakes Is High
Stakes Is High
Studio album by De La Soul
Released	July 2, 1996
Genre	East Coast hip hop
Length	68:19
Labels	Tommy Boy; Warner Bros.;
Producers	De La Soul; Spearhead X; Skeff Anselm; O.Gee; Jay Dee;
De La Soul chronology
Singles from Stakes Is High
	"Stakes Is High"; Released: June 17, 1996; "Itzsoweezee (Hot)"; Released: 1996; "4 More"; Released: 1997;

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
Entertainment Weekly	B
Muzik
NME	6/10
RapReviews	10/10
Rolling Stone
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
Spin	6/10
Tiny Mix Tapes
The Village Voice	B+

Stakes Is High is the fourth studio album by American hip hop group De La Soul. It was released on July 2, 1996, through Tommy Boy Records. The album marked a change in the group's sound and direction and was their first without producer Prince Paul. It was produced primarily by De La Soul, with additional production by Jay Dee, DJ Ogee, Spearhead X and Skeff Anselm. The album received generally positive reviews and was a moderate commercial success.

History

Stakes Is High was De La Soul's first album without longtime collaborator Prince Paul. The group felt that the material he submitted did not suit the album's tone.

The album addresses the state of hip hop, the commercialization of hip hop culture and gangsta rap. Rapper 2Pac later responded on "Against All Odds", from his posthumous 1996 album The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, and on the unreleased song "Watch Ya Mouth", recorded during the same sessions. Naughty By Nature member Treach also objected to the album, leading to a feud that subsided about 15 years after its release.

The album helped introduce rapper Mos Def to a wider audience through his appearance on "Big Brother Beat". Common also appears on "The Bizness".

After the album's release, De La Soul toured extensively. Their next studio album, Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump, was released in 2000 as the first installment in the Art Official Intelligence series.

A 30th-anniversary edition was announced in July 2026 and released on October 23, 2026. It includes instrumental tracks and additional songs.

Interludes

The album's interludes reflect the group's concerns about the state of rap and public perceptions of hip hop culture. The opening track features interview excerpts in which participants recall where they were when they first heard Criminal Minded. At the end of track 9, "Long Island Degrees", a man expresses his dislike of rap music using a racial slur. Track 10, "Betta Listen", ends with Posdnuos and Maseo discussing a miscommunication about a club.

At the end of track 15, "Pony Ride", an excerpt from the documentary Crumb features Maxon Crumb discussing his experiences living on the streets and alternating periods of optimism and depression. He remarks, "Stakes is high". The beginning and end of track 16, "Stakes Is High", feature recordings of people playing dice while a man nearby discusses the O. J. Simpson trials.

The final track, "Sunshine", ends with a young man saying, "Yo, when I first heard 3 Feet High and Rising, I was", before the recording cuts off. The interruption resembles the use of "Fight the Power" on Public Enemy's Fear of a Black Planet. The reference to De La Soul's debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising, echoes the discussion of Criminal Minded in the opening track.

Critical reception

Robert Christgau wrote: "After almost four years, Posdnuos and company emerge from the ether like the long-lost friends they are. Their wordplay assured in its subtle smarts, their delivery unassuming in its quick, unmacho mumble, their cultural awareness never smug about its balance, they bind up an identifiable feeling in an identifiable sound, and just about every one of the 17 tracks comes equipped with a solid beat and a likable hook or chorus. It's a relief to have them back. But it's never a revelation."

Track listing

Original release
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Intro"	Kelvin Mercer David Jolicoeur Vincent Mason	De La Soul	2:35
2.	"Supa Emcees"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason	De La Soul	3:40
3.	"The Bizness" (featuring Common Sense)	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason Lonnie Lynn	De La Soul	5:41
4.	"Wonce Again Long Island"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason	De La Soul	3:39
5.	"Dinninit"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason Xavier Hargrove Milt Jackson	Spearhead X	4:20
6.	"Brakes"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason Reggie Hodby Charlie Jimenez Lawrence Mack	De La Soul	4:06
7.	"Dog Eat Dog"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason	De La Soul	3:40
8.	"Baby Baby Baby Baby Ooh Baby"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason	De La Soul	2:10
9.	"Long Island Degrees"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason	De La Soul	3:27
10.	"Betta Listen"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason	De La Soul	4:28
11.	"Itzsoweezee (Hot)"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason	De La Soul	4:55
12.	"4 More" (featuring Zhané)	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason Gary Scott Nathaniel Hall Michael Small Eric Matthew Darryl Payne	O. Gee De La Soul^[a]	4:18
13.	"Big Brother Beat" (featuring Mos Def)	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason Dante Beze Skeff Anselm	Skeff Anselm	3:42
14.	"Down Syndrome"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason	De La Soul	3:28
15.	"Pony Ride" (featuring Truth Enola)	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason Sheddrick Preston	De La Soul	5:26
16.	"Stakes Is High"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason James Yancey	Jay Dee De La Soul^[a]	5:30
17.	"Sunshine"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason Lionel Richie Thomas McClary	De La Soul	3:39
Total length:				68:19

The 30th anniversary edition, released on October 23, 2026, adds remastered audio, instrumental versions, remixes, and previously unreleased recordings.

30th Anniversary Edition – Disc 1
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Intro"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason	De La Soul	2:35
2.	"Supa Emcees"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason	De La Soul	3:40
3.	"The Bizness" (featuring Common Sense)	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason Lynn	De La Soul	4:22
4.	"Yunonstop"			1:16
5.	"Wonce Again Long Island"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason	De La Soul	3:38
6.	"Dinninit"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason Hargrove Jackson	Spearhead X	4:21
7.	"Brakes"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason Hodby Jimenez Mack	De La Soul	4:06
8.	"Dog Eat Dog"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason	De La Soul	3:38
9.	"Baby Baby Baby Baby Ooh Baby" (featuring Jazzyfatnastees)	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason	De La Soul	2:08
10.	"Long Island Degrees"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason	De La Soul	3:27
11.	"Betta Listen"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason	De La Soul	4:27
12.	"Itzsoweezee (Hot)"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason	De La Soul	4:48
13.	"4 More" (featuring Zhané)	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason Scott Hall Small Matthew Payne	O. Gee De La Soul^[a]	4:18
14.	"Big Brother Beat" (featuring Mos Def)	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason Beze Anselm	Skeff Anselm	3:43
15.	"Down Syndrome"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason	De La Soul	3:04
16.	"Pony Ride" (featuring Truth Enola)	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason Preston	De La Soul	5:27
17.	"Stakes Is High"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason Yancey	Jay Dee De La Soul^[a]	5:30
18.	"Sunshine"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason Richie McClary	De La Soul	3:40
Total length:				68:08

30th Anniversary Edition – Disc 2
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Intro (Instrumental Edit)"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason	De La Soul	1:22
2.	"Supa Emcees (Instrumental Edit)"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason	De La Soul	2:06
3.	"The Bizness (Instrumental Edit)"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason Lynn	De La Soul	2:17
4.	"Yunonstop (Instrumental Edit)"			0:56
5.	"Wonce Again Long Island (Instrumental Edit)"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason	De La Soul	2:11
6.	"Dinninit (Instrumental Edit)"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason Hargrove Jackson	Spearhead X	2:25
7.	"Brakes (Instrumental Edit)"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason Hodby Jimenez Mack	De La Soul	2:40
8.	"Dog Eat Dog (Instrumental Edit)"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason	De La Soul	2:15
9.	"Baby Baby Baby Baby Ooh Baby (Instrumental Edit)"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason	De La Soul	2:01
10.	"Long Island Degrees (Instrumental Edit)"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason	De La Soul	2:25
11.	"Betta Listen (Instrumental Edit)"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason	De La Soul	2:22
12.	"Itzsoweezee (Hot) (Instrumental Edit)"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason	De La Soul	2:23
13.	"4 More (Instrumental Edit)"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason Scott Hall Small Matthew Payne	O. Gee De La Soul^[a]	1:58
14.	"Big Brother Beat (Instrumental Edit)"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason Beze Anselm	Skeff Anselm	2:37
15.	"Down Syndrome (Instrumental Edit)"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason	De La Soul	2:05
16.	"Pony Ride (Instrumental Edit)"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason Preston	De La Soul	2:30
17.	"Stakes Is High (Instrumental)"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason Yancey	Jay Dee De La Soul^[a]	4:39
18.	"Sunshine (Instrumental Edit)"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason Richie McClary	De La Soul	2:12
19.	"Chanel No. Fever"			3:23
20.	"I Can't Call It"			3:28
21.	"Itzsoweezee (Hot) (De La Soul Remix)" (featuring Yankee B.)	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason	De La Soul	4:38
22.	"Stakes Is High (J Dilla Remix)" (featuring Mos Def and Truth Enola)	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason Yancey	Jay Dee	4:49
23.	"Stakes Is High (J Dilla Alternate Remix)"	Mercer Jolicoeur Mason Yancey	Jay Dee	4:40
Total length:				62:22

Notes

^{^[a]} indicates an additional producer.
"Baby Baby Baby Baby Ooh Baby" features additional vocals by the Jazzyfatnastees.
The streaming version of the album divides "The Bizness" into two tracks, "The Bizness" and "Yunonstop".

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1996)	Peak position
Australian Albums (ARIA)	105
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)	68
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)	91
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)	45
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)	67
UK Albums (Official Charts)	42
UK R&B Albums (Official Charts)	5
US Billboard 200	13
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)	4

Chart (2023)	Peak position
Scottish Albums (Official Charts)	82
UK Independent Albums (Official Charts)	15
UK R&B Albums (Official Charts)	1

Year-end charts

Chart (1996)	Position
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)	74

References

↑ "50 Greatest East Coast Hip-Hop Albums of the 1990s". The Boombox. October 20, 2017. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
↑ Thomas, Vincent. "Stakes Is High – De La Soul". AllMusic. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2011.
↑ Smith, Ethan (July 12, 1996). "Stakes Is High". Entertainment Weekly. New York. Archived from the original on March 4, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
↑ Ashon, Wil (July 1996). "De La Soul: Stakes Is high" (PDF). Muzik. No. 14. p. 122. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 2, 2022. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
↑ Cigarettes, Johnny (July 29, 1996). "De La Soul – Stakes Is High". NME. London. Archived from the original on October 10, 2000. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
↑ Matson, Andrew (July 20, 2002). "De La Soul - Stakes Is High - Tommy Boy (RapReviews "Back to the Lab" series)". RapReviews. Retrieved July 20, 2002.
↑ Sprague, David (August 8, 1996). "Stakes Is High". Rolling Stone. New York. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
↑ Caramanica, Jon (2004). "De La Soul". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. pp. 224–25. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
↑ Salamon, Jeff (August 1996). "De La Soul: Stakes Is High". Spin. Vol. 12, no. 5. New York. pp. 98–100. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
↑ Brusie, David (June 18, 2009). "De La Soul - Stakes Is High". Tiny Mix Tapes. Archived from the original on July 18, 2009. Retrieved June 18, 2009.
↑ Christgau, Robert (July 23, 1996). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. New York. Archived from the original on December 5, 2018. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
↑ Murray, Robin (July 21, 2026). "De La Soul Prepare 30th Anniversary Edition Of 'Stakes Is High'". Clash Magazine. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
↑ "Robert Christgau: CG: de la soul". Robertchristgau.com. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
↑ "De La Soul Announces 30th Anniversary Edition of Classic Album 'Stakes Is High'". The Source. July 21, 2026. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
↑ "De La Soul 'Stakes Is High' 30th Anniversary 4LP Box Set (Black/White Vinyl)". Veeps Shop. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
↑ "Stakes Is High". July 2, 1996 – via open.spotify.com.
↑ "De La Soul ARIA chart history (albums) to 2024". ARIA. Retrieved July 20, 2024 – via Imgur.com. N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.
↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – De La Soul – Stakes Is High" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – De La Soul – Stakes Is High" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
↑ "Charts.nz – De La Soul – Stakes Is High". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
↑ "Swedishcharts.com – De La Soul – Stakes Is High". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
↑ "Official Albums Chart on 7/7/1996 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
↑ "Official R&B Albums Chart on 7/7/1996 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
↑ "De La Soul Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
↑ "De La Soul Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart on 9/6/2023 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
↑ "Official Independent Albums Chart on 9/6/2023 – Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
↑ "Official R&B Albums Chart on 9/6/2023 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
↑ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1996". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 27, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2021.

[1] "50 Greatest East Coast Hip-Hop Albums of the 1990s". The Boombox. October 20, 2017. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2024.

[2] Thomas, Vincent. "Stakes Is High – De La Soul". AllMusic. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2011.

[3] Smith, Ethan (July 12, 1996). "Stakes Is High". Entertainment Weekly. New York. Archived from the original on March 4, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2012.

[4] Ashon, Wil (July 1996). "De La Soul: Stakes Is high" (PDF). Muzik. No. 14. p. 122. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 2, 2022. Retrieved July 16, 2022.

[5] Cigarettes, Johnny (July 29, 1996). "De La Soul – Stakes Is High". NME. London. Archived from the original on October 10, 2000. Retrieved December 16, 2018.

[6] Matson, Andrew (July 20, 2002). "De La Soul - Stakes Is High - Tommy Boy (RapReviews "Back to the Lab" series)". RapReviews. Retrieved July 20, 2002.

[7] Sprague, David (August 8, 1996). "Stakes Is High". Rolling Stone. New York. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. Retrieved June 13, 2012.

[8] Caramanica, Jon (2004). "De La Soul". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. pp. 224–25. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.

[9] Salamon, Jeff (August 1996). "De La Soul: Stakes Is High". Spin. Vol. 12, no. 5. New York. pp. 98–100. Retrieved December 16, 2018.

[10] Brusie, David (June 18, 2009). "De La Soul - Stakes Is High". Tiny Mix Tapes. Archived from the original on July 18, 2009. Retrieved June 18, 2009.

[11] Christgau, Robert (July 23, 1996). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. New York. Archived from the original on December 5, 2018. Retrieved December 16, 2018.

[12] Murray, Robin (July 21, 2026). "De La Soul Prepare 30th Anniversary Edition Of 'Stakes Is High'". Clash Magazine. Retrieved July 27, 2026.

[13] "Robert Christgau: CG: de la soul". Robertchristgau.com. Retrieved July 2, 2025.

[TheSource-14] "De La Soul Announces 30th Anniversary Edition of Classic Album 'Stakes Is High'". The Source. July 21, 2026. Retrieved October 23, 2026.

[Veeps-15] "De La Soul 'Stakes Is High' 30th Anniversary 4LP Box Set (Black/White Vinyl)". Veeps Shop. Retrieved October 23, 2026.

[16] "Stakes Is High". July 2, 1996 – via open.spotify.com.

[ARIA_history_pages_(albums)-17] "De La Soul ARIA chart history (albums) to 2024". ARIA. Retrieved July 20, 2024 – via Imgur.com. N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.

[ac_Netherlands_De_La_Soul-18] "Dutchcharts.nl – De La Soul – Stakes Is High" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 23, 2021.

[ac_Germany_De_La_Soul-19] "Offiziellecharts.de – De La Soul – Stakes Is High" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 23, 2021.

[ac_New_Zealand_De_La_Soul-20] "Charts.nz – De La Soul – Stakes Is High". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 23, 2021.

[ac_Sweden_De_La_Soul-21] "Swedishcharts.com – De La Soul – Stakes Is High". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 23, 2021.

[ac_UK2_-22] "Official Albums Chart on 7/7/1996 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 23, 2021.

[ukrb5-23] "Official R&B Albums Chart on 7/7/1996 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 23, 2021.

[ac_Billboard200_De_La_Soul-24] "De La Soul Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2021.

[ac_BillboardRandBHipHop_De_La_Soul-25] "De La Soul Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2021.

[ac_Scotland_-26] "Official Scottish Albums Chart on 9/6/2023 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 10, 2023.

[ac_UKIndependent_-27] "Official Independent Albums Chart on 9/6/2023 – Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 10, 2023.

[ac_UKR&B_-28] "Official R&B Albums Chart on 9/6/2023 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 June 2023.

[29] "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1996". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 27, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2021.

v t e De La Soul
Posdnuos Maseo Trugoy
Studio albums	3 Feet High and Rising De La Soul Is Dead Buhloone Mindstate Stakes Is High Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump AOI: Bionix The Grind Date Plug 1 & Plug 2 Present... First Serve And the Anonymous Nobody... Cabin in the Sky
Other albums	Clear Lake Audiotorium The Best of De La Soul De La Mix Tape: Remixes, Rarities and Classics Live at Tramps, NYC, 1996 The Impossible: Mission TV Series - Pt. 1 Are You In?: Nike+ Original Run
Singles	"Plug Tunin'" "Potholes in My Lawn" "Me Myself and I" "Say No Go" "Eye Know" "Buddy" "The Magic Number" "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" "A Roller Skating Jam Named "Saturdays"" "Millie Pulled a Pistol on Santa" "Breakadawn" "Ego Trippin' (Part Two)" "Fallin'" "Stakes Is High" "Itzsoweezee (Hot)" "4 More" "Oooh." "All Good?" "Baby Phat" "Say "I Gotta Believe!"" "Shoomp/Much More" "Shopping Bags (She Got from You)" "Rock Co.Kane Flow" "Feel Good Inc." "Superfast Jellyfish" "Pain"
Related articles	Discography Native Tongues Prince Paul Tommy Boy Records