
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 |