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.
- U Can Do (Life)
- My Writes
- Oooh / Ghost Weed Skit 01
- Thru Ya City
- I.C. Y’All
- View
- Set The Mood / Ghost Weed Skit 02
- All Good?
- Declaration
- Squat!
- Words From The Chief Rocker
- With Me / Ghost Weed Skit 03
- Copa (Cabanga)
- Foolin'
- The Art Of Getting Jumped
- U Don’t Wanna B.D.S
Apple Music
Videos
De La Soul - Declaration ( Art Official Intelligence )
More Videos
- De La Soul - The Art of Getting Jumped
- My Writes - De La Soul - Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump (2000)
- De L Soul - Set The Mood (feat. Indeed)
- De La Soul - The Art of Getting Jumped
- De La Soul - My Writes (Official Audio) ft. Tash, J-RO & Xzibit
- De La Soul - Oooh (Official Audio) ft. Redman
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. |
| Discogs URL | De La Soul - Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump |