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.

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)