Stakes Is High

On their fourth album, the first not produced by Prince Paul, De La turns their attention outward, surveying the state of hip-hop culture and the state of the world at large and finding them lacking. Stakes Is High is a foundational text for Grown Man Rap, a sonic document of relationship troubles, stress from kids, a need to remain relevant as rappers, and a dissatisfaction with then-popular strains of highly commercialized rap. It’s a lot more fun than it sounds. Posdnous, always wise beyond his years, slides comfortably into the role of elder statesman. He and Dave (aka Trugoy) trade bars that are always a little off kilter, conversational and laid back, but approaching everyday language from a diagonal angle. It’s  a beautiful and inimitable rap style that rewards repeat listens. Elsewhere, DJ Maseo memorably gets mad about S.O.B’s, Common and Mos Def turn in classic guest verses, and outside producer Jay Dee presents blaring horns that sound like a warning that things are not quite all right but our narrators will make it through.