Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump

The four years De La Soul took off between Stakes Is High and 2000’s Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump featured more than one tectonic shift in rap’s sound and vision—Puff Daddy’s shiny suits, No Limit and Cash Money Records’ explosive bass, multi-platinum JAY-Z and Outkast albums, and a shadow economy of the indie rap De La paved the way for. They returned once again as square pegs, this time sailing a lush funk ship, mostly self-produced and anchored with soulful choruses—including one from Chaka Khan. With beats that have the rickety quality of contemporaries like J Dilla and Madlib (who each provide one—“Thru Ya City” and “My Writes”, respectively), De La proved they have one of rap’s best long games: “While you fools claim corners, we gon’ claim theories/Y’all some stickball n****s, we the World Series,” raps Trugoy the Dove on “Foolin’”.

Tracklisting

Position Title
A1 Spitkicker.com / Say R.
A2 U Can Do (Life)
A3 My Writes
A4 Oooh / Ghost Weed Skit 01
A5 Thru Ya City
B1 I.C. Y’All
B2 View
B3 Interluden
B4 Set The Mood / Ghost Weed Skit 02
B5 All Good?
C1 Declaration
C2 Squat!
C3 Words From The Chief Rocker
C4 With Me / Ghost Weed Skit 03
D1 Copa (Cabanga)
D2 Foolin'
D3 The Art Of Getting Jumped
D4 U Don’t Wanna B.D.S

Apple Music


Release Images

Release Information

Key Value
Wikipedia URL https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Official_Intelligence:_Mosaic_Thump
Format 2× Vinyl LP, Album, Reissue
Label AOI Records
Catalog Number RMM 055-1
Notes Release date of August 11, 2023 in the U.S. and September 15, 2023 Worldwide. “MADE IN CZECH REPUBLIC” sticker on back shrink RMM-055-1 on ‘hype’ sticker
Discogs URL De La Soul - Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump