Stakes Is High - 30th Anniversary [Explicit Content] (4xLP Book Box)

Stakes Is High captures De La Soul at a turning point: older, sharper, and fully locked in. Released in 1996, it was their fourth album and their first made without Prince Paul, opening the door to a tougher, more stripped-back sound led in part by a then-unknown J Dilla producing the title track. That lead single became one of the group's signature statements, reaching No. 53 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, while the album climbed to No. 4 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The numbers only tell part of it: Stakes Is High endures because it hears De La Soul confronting the mid-90s head-on, with wit, frustration, and real artistic confidence, from The Bizness to Itzsoweezee (HOT). It didn't shout the loudest on arrival, but its influence has only grown since. This 30th anniversary box set collects the original album, full instrumentals, and a side of bonus material across four discs of spoke effect black and white vinyl, packaged in a book box with a UV print of Dave, David Jolicoeur, on the vinyl itself.

VINYL 4xLP BOOK BOX SET, Spoke Effect Black & White Vinyl, UV Print Tribute Vinyl, Boxed Set, Remastered, Explicit Content, Chrysalis Records, 2026

Disc 1

Side A

1. Intro
2. Supa Emcees
3. The Bizness (feat. Common)
4. Yunonstop
5. Wonce Again Long Island

Side B (A-Notha Side)

1. Dinninit
2. Brakes
3. Dog Eat Dog
4. Baby, Baby, Baby, Baby, Ooh Baby (feat. Jazzyfatnastees)
5. Long Island Degrees

Disc 2

Side C (Yet A-Notha Side)

1. Betta Listen
2. Itzsoweezee (HOT)
3. 4 More (feat. Zhane)
4. Big Brother Beat (feat. Mos Def)

Side D (One More Side)

1. Down Syndrome
2. Pony Ride (feat. Truth Enola)
3. Stakes Is High
4. Sunshine

Disc 3

Side E (Plug Won Side, Instrumentals)

1. Intro (Instrumental Edit)
2. Supa Emcees (Instrumental Edit)
3. The Bizness (Instrumental Edit)
4. Yunonstop (Instrumental Edit)
5. Wonce Again Long Island (Instrumental Edit)
6. Dinninit (Instrumental Edit)
7. Brakes (Instrumental Edit)
8. Dog Eat Dog (Instrumental Edit)
9. Baby, Baby, Baby, Baby, Ooh Baby (Instrumental Edit)

Side F (Plug Too Side, Instrumentals)

1. Long Island Degrees (Instrumental Edit)
2. Betta Listen (Instrumental Edit)
3. Itzsoweezee (HOT) [Instrumental Edit]
4. 4 More (Instrumental Edit)
5. Big Brother Beat (Instrumental Edit)
6. Down Syndrome (Instrumental Edit)
7. Pony Ride (Instrumental Edit)
8. Stakes Is High (Instrumental)
9. Sunshine (Instrumental Edit)

Disc 4

Side G (Plug III Side, Bonus)

1. Chanel No. Fever
2. I Can't Call It
3. Itzsoweezee (HOT) [De La Soul Remix] (feat. Yankee B.)
4. Stakes Is High (J Dilla Remix) (feat. Mos Def and Truth Enola)
5. Stakes Is High (J Dilla Alternate Remix)

Chrysalis Records | Original Release: July 2, 1996 | This Pressing: October 23, 2026 | 4xLP Book Box Set, Spoke Effect Black & White Vinyl, UV Print Tribute Vinyl | UPC: 016998079270

Pre-order. Expected to ship October 23, 2026.