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
- Spitkicker.com / Say R. (1:19)
- U Can Do (Life) (4:23)
- My Writes (5:29)
- Oooh / Ghost Weed Skit 01 (5:27)
- Thru Ya City (3:29)
- I.C. Y’All (3:21)
- View (3:56)
- Interluden (0:22)
- Set The Mood / Ghost Weed Skit 02 (4:24)
- All Good? (4:58)
- Declaration (2:56)
- Squat! (4:14)
- Words From The Chief Rocker (1:01)
- With Me / Ghost Weed Skit 03 (4:52)
- Copa (Cabanga) (4:05)
- Foolin’ (4:22)
- The Art Of Getting Jumped (3:47)
- U Don’t Wanna B.D.S (4:13)
Apple Music
Videos
Thru Ya City
Release Images
Release Information
| Key | Value |
|---|---|
| Wikipedia URL | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Official_Intelligence:_Mosaic_Thump |
| Format | Vinyl 2× 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 |