De La Soul - Stakes Is High (Official Music Video) [HD]

Listen/Stream - delasoul.lnk.to/stakesishighID
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***
Lyrics
(Vibes, vibrations)
Stakes Is High
You know them Stakes Is High
When we talkin' 'bout the
(Vibes, vibrations)
Stakes Is High, you know them Stakes Is High
We be talkin bout the
(Vibes, vibrations)
Stakes Is High
You know them Stakes Is High
The instamatic focal point bringing damage to your borough
Be some brothers from the east with them beats that be thorough
Got the solar gravitation so I'm bound to pull it
I gets down like brothers are found ducking from bullets
Gun control means using both hands in my land
Where it's all about the cautious livin'
Migrating to a higher form of consequence, compliments
Of strugglin', that shouldn't be notable
Man every word I say should be a hip hop quotable
I'm sick of bitches shakin' asses
I'm sick of talkin' 'bout blunts, sick of Versace glasses
Sick of slang, sick of half-ass awards shows
Sick of name brand clothes
Sick of R&B bitches over bullshit tracks
Cocaine and crack, which brings sickness to blacks
Sick of swoll head rappers with their sicker than raps
Clappers of gats, makin' the whole sick world collapse
The facts are gettin' sick, even sicker perhaps
Stickabush to make a bundle to escape this synapse
Man, life can get all up in your ass, baby, you betta work it out
Let me tell you what it's all about
A skin not considered equal
A meteor has more right than my people
Who be wastin' time screaming who they've hated
That's why the Native Tongues has officially been re-instated
(Vibes, vibrations)
Stakes Is High
You know them Stakes Is High
When we talkin' 'bout the
(Vibes, vibrations)
Stakes Is High, y’all know them Stakes Is High
We we dealing with the
(Vibes, vibrations)
Stakes Is High
Man them Stakes Is High
(what about that love?)
Yo, it's about love of cars, love for funds
Loving to love mad sex, loving to love guns
Love for opposite, love for fame and wealth
Love for the fact of no longer loving yourself, kid
We living in them days of the man-made ways
Where every aspect is vivid
These brothers no longer talk shit
Hey yo, these niggas live it
'Bout to give it to you 24/7 on the microphone
Plug One translating the zone
No offense to a player, but yo, I don't play
And if you take offense, fuck it, got to be that way
J.D. Dove, show your love, what you got to say?
I say G's are making figures at a high regard
And niggas dying for it nowadays ain't odd
Investing in fantasies and not God
Welcome to reality, see times is hard
People try to snatch the credit, but can't claim the card
Showing out in videos, saying they co-starred
See, shit like that will make your mama cry
Better watch the way you spend it cause the
Stakes Is High
You know them Stakes is high
When you’re dealin with the
(Vibes, vibrations)
Stakes Is High
Man them Stakes Is High
I think that smiling in public is against the law (what?)
Cause love don't get you through life no more
It's who you know and "How you, son?"
And how you gettin' in, and who the man holding heat
Yo, and how was the skins and how high
Yo what up, huh? I heard you caught a body
Seem like every man and woman shared a life with John Gotti
But they ain't organized!
Mixing crimes with life enzymes
Taking the big scout route and niggas know doubt
Better than they know their daughters and their sons
(Oh boy)
Yo, people go through pain and still don't gain
Positive contact just like my main man
Who got others cleaning up his physical and fluids
His mind got congested
He got the nine and blew it
Neighborhoods are now hoods cause nobody's neighbors
Just animals surviving with that animal behavior
Under I. who be rhyming from dark to light sky
Experiments when needles and skin connect
No wonder where we live is called the projects
When them Stakes Is High you damn sure try to do
Anything to get the piece of the pie
Electrify, even die for the cash
But at last I be out even though you wantin' more
This issue is closed like an elevator door
But soon re-opened once we get to the next floor where the
(Vibes, vibrations)
Stakes is high
Y'all know them Stakes Is High
When we dealin’ with the
(Vibes, vibrations)
Stakes Is high
Stakes Is high, come on
(Vibes, vibrations)
#DeLaSoul #StakesIsHigh #HipHop50
vevo.ly/3muWgS

[@jaywill6464]

Im sick of what everything has become in 2024, im sick of it all

[@Flyshtonly__]

Perseverance brother. We will make it! Through the storm and out the thunder.

[@moonlightw6]

This shit even make more sense now with drake and kendrick 😭

[@kellyrenae6850]

Yes, it feels like we are in another dimension. It just feels weird. 😊

[@egyptjones]

@@kellyrenae6850 The Matrix is glitching for real

[@null4624]

Brother, be happy that you know better than those kids. Love

[@leejordan9517]

2024 Anyone? 🔥

[@calvinbroad8618]

Yezzzirrr!! Sick and tired of this lame state of hip hop filled with sickness

[@jonmacie7581]

YES!! The Stakes are higher than ever before. FREEDOM is on the line now. Hip Hop leading the blind into the abyss

[@cnc41LORD]

They were ahead of their time. This message is relevant today, July 3, 2024.

[@goldmacnifmusicandvideos3738]

Facts​@@cnc41LORD

[@michellerogers9024]

Right here with ya!!!

[@atterburyeagle6299]

DILLA IS INSANE WITH THIS BEAT R.I.P

[@dontexroddy5012]

Mayne!!!! The drum slaps!! There flow is so precise with the beat. R.I.P. J Dilla

[@jamthacreator]

The King

[@tishawnfarrar6908]

This was a warning to where hip hop was going in 1996 and boy did they have a crystal ball.

[@baatil10]

They called it to a T

[@mondegreen9709]

"It's the money"

[@muzim8931]

1000% accurate.

[@jdilla999]

Facts fam!!!

[@matthawes4395]

They called it

[@mutechannel13]

This song is still applicable in 2023... OAN... That's Phife Dawg sitting on the rim and ref... R.I.P to our Soul Hip Hop Kings Phife and Trugoy

[@michaelmalapi4552]

Not to forget our white brother in Hip Hop on the right, MCA of beastie boys, may he rest well 2❤

[@baggofchips6770]

Is that common standing to the left of phife

[@HOSTILEMGTOW]

​@@baggofchips6770 Yup.

[@threvs]

Don't forget qtip at the beginning on the radio

[@michellebranic4329]

I totally agree . I’m sick of everything in 2023 that is popular now

[@chiarosuburekeni9325]

These are probably the most “hardcore” their delivery and lyrics have ever been. You can tell they were fed up with the direction of the industry at the time when they made this one 😂

[@champmorgan7166]

Rock Kane Flow with, MF Doom, matches that energy

[@gerimayawhyte154]

They're going at more than the industry. More like everything wrong with this world.

[@bookiebillions5519]

This song is more relevant now than ever. 30+ years in hip Hop. De La is one of the greatest groups ever.

[@prof3ssor178]

YUP! Regardless of genre

[@sethsantiago304]

Check yo self than create a new & improved you.

[@avabirbb]

real

[@johnbeaton4624]

Still loving dark chocolate ", mom93!! 3:00

[@JasonLiske]

Timeless space invaders are the OGs of music. Hendrix. U2. Marley. Where art illuminates life and holds high while throwing daggers on anyone trying for less. These are illuminated spirits. Stay illuminated peeps.

[@cat.227]

I remember being a kid in 5th grade and hearing my Uncle playing this song. He put me on De La Soul, MF DOOM, J Dilla and Nujabes. R.I.P Uncle.

[@pop11bropop11bro]

Your uncle sounds dope

[@muskulls4bones249]

Shout out to all them uncle funkles out there

[@clarkbruce_swe91]

"My father used to say it reminded me of b-bop"

[@carlosbryant1737]

RIP J Dilla. He killed this beat. RIP Trugoy the Dove. I remember I seen ATCQ, De La Soul and Alcoholics at the Mad Monk in Wilmington NC concert was 💥✊🏾💪🏾🤙🏾

[@dontexroddy5012]

Whoa!!! I know that concert was legendary!!!

[@dasbapoh]

This song is the pinacle of hiphop, real meaning behind this one and in todays world it has never had a stronger message. RIP to Trugoy the dove and Dilla🕊🕊

[@gotsmurb72]

Long live Trugoy, Dilla and DOOM ✊🏾

[@sibagiba]

On Topic… Still relevant. #delasoul

[@chrisdiss3439]

P

[@wadewilson6098]

💯

[@magnofrancoillest]

no doubt

[@anthonypetty2880]

Please never forget J DILLA R.I.P !

[@dfont31]

This monumental track was dropped 28 years ago today. It’s more relevant today than ever. I’ve been listening to this song for 28 years and plan to listen to it for at least another 28 years. Salute! Probably my favorite hip hop song ever!

[@Falliblelife]

It scares me how relevant this track still is...in fact, it's even more so now.

[@claudyromelus2228]

We're in 2024 and this is my favorite track. Don't know why I'm just now listening to this 😂😂 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@gorkaarmendariz6394]

Sameshittt🔥🔥🔥

[@averycovert9613]

My late Sister bought me Steaks is High album on vinyl tape and cd, but she got me the white label 12in vinyl single of Steaks is High it was a maxi single it had the remix with mos Def . Rest Easy Big Sis . The best late birthday gift ever

[@jamthacreator]

R.I.P to your sis, nuff love and gratitude, my condolences

[@jamthacreator]

She is with you always

[@kotic79]

This song has historical importance. I'm learning about this in my college class

[@yumaikai]

What class are you taking?

[@fulltimeweirdos]

@@yumaikaischool of hard knocks probably

[@GetUpTheMountains]

This song is so serious, like life itself. Thank you De La. 🙏

[@omniversiddhialterdestiny]

No wonder where we live is called the projects When them stakes is high you damn sure try to do (vibrations) Anything to get the piece of the pie (yeah) Electrify Even die for the cash But at last I be out even though you wantin' more This issue is closed like an elevator door But soon re-opened once we get to the next floor where the Stakes is high You know them stakes is high When we dealin' wit' the (Vibes, vibrations) Stakes is high Stakes is high, come on Vibes, vibrations

[@thisisslugadon]

Facts, every word still applies today 💯

[@magnofrancoillest]

Real life meaning down to earth but smart and got style!

[@WhyTheHellDoYouCareSoMuch]

Now the Stakes are truly High.

[@Krdean2]

One of the dopest individual songs in Hip-Hop HISTORY!!

[@9.NayDaGreat]

I loved this banger when it came out ,not fully knowing just how relevant it’ll be be almost 30 yrs later ! 🔥 CLASSIC 🔥

[@Jesusjablo]

Best rap song ever!

[@illyagardner8980]

THIS IS HIP HOP GEN ☠️ AT ITS FINEST

[@dontexroddy5012]

The golden era of hip hop had already ended at this time but these brothers were and are still in that golden era vibe.

[@rickdarula8036]

Applicable until the end of time!

[@user-pt8fg8ix1c]

One of the most needed tracks out...ever...rip jd trugoy

[@OswaldBatesIIIEsq]

Yeah. After twenty-three years, it still hits hard.

[@chrisg2282]

Like Tyson in his prime 💯

[@aquaticlife9251]

It's interesting that when this came out, not many were into this song.They were into whatever that was on the radio at the time. True Hip Hop heads dug it, but it wasn't universally received like it is today. But it seemed like the greatness of this song couldn't be denied. Some had to rediscover it. Most had to discover it and realize it's meaning. However you got here, I'm glad you made it. Took ya long enough. The definition of a slow burn.

[@rastagideon8236]

9D6 was wild. Stakes Is High is a 5 mic album but I was definitely sleeping on it. 2Pac was all I listened to.

[@togonumber]

" slow burn " :)

[@dLyT771]

A meteor has more "right/(meteo-)rite" than my ppl...i just got that😂😂 Endless props to De La Soul and J Dilla❤❤

[@WaveyD]

2024 and I’ll still put this track up against any “rap” song in this new era. No comparison, this will be undefeated 🔥🔥🔥

[@13jcarey]

100%

[@justindc5362]

These classics need to be shared with the next generation

[@cield.vangence]

For the old heads I'm 23 and we still listen to good music in today's time 😂

[@PROUDxRUSHxDENIER]

Who?

[@doncatalog]

Salute!!!!!!!

[@SRXDMN]

I’m 19 lmao💯

[@MrRiot-wm2pq]

That's great dude

[@wheredhego47]

We still in here brother.

[@mashan1978]

J dilla on the track and de la kicking knowledge ❤

[@AudiomoeTV]

One of the greatest songs of all time

[@TheKonducta]

2024 StiLL Stakes is High 💥🙌

[@veevee4461]

STILL!!!

[@38mishalkin]

Да. Всегда и навсегда!

[@andriolo]

Definition of a perfect hiphop song

[@mafiapuncc5389]

Q Tip is an underrated legend... literally everywhere

[@meyou5789]

yeah, but this song has nothing to do with Tip, well except for the fact that Posdnous had to trick Tip out of holding onto this beat so he could get if from J Dilla lolol

[@dannytarver4533]

I'm 51 and proud that I was born at the perfect time to see and hear the birth,crawl,walk and run of Hip-Hop. African-Americans are the youngest ethnicity in the world and we did something that makes the whole world not just notice but they had to be in. Hip-Hop is everywhere it's beautiful and I hope it's realized how much power it has because it really can change the world. It's done it already,not in the best way but maybe the right people will really step up and take charge. Then we can lose the invisible chains ⛓️

[@James-xz5rz]

J dillas production is spectacular here. James Brown and Ahmad Jamal….woah!

[@jthomas1716]

RIP J Dilla, RIP The Dove and Hip Hop..

[@NunYaBiz404]

The more you listen to it, the better it gets 👏🙃🙃

[@anarky305]

This is hands down the greatest and most timeless De La track created, beat and all.

[@HarrisPilton789]

The best was sampled from Ahmad Jamal’s Swahililand.

[@I_be_e]

Dilla created the track! Give the man his respect 🙏🏾🕊️🎧

[@Itgyrl909]

I love their brotherhood with other artists and men and general! Real Hip Hop has nothing to do with violence, $, or sex. Real Hip Hop is about Real Life!

[@angc1456]

I don´t agree .. storytelling about violence and sex is also real life, Music is about all aspects in life.

[@radioheadlover09]

@@angc1456 agree, a lot of the time when rappers talk about violence they're talking about their surroundings

[@brmbkl]

@@angc1456 the song was about pigeonholing, commerce and selling of violence. Using drama for likes, if you will. And they were lamenting the lack of variety.

[@scarecrowzw]

Loving the reclamation of your art! As always, RIP Trugoy The Dove. My respect and regards to family and friends.

[@FlameBlue9016]

I can’t get this Jam out of my head!♥️ RIP Dave and Phife.

[@x-man4350]

DOPE 🚩 hip-hop DEF 🚩 is FLY 🚩 the FRESH 🚩 best

[@brettgivner593]

So underrated. Song brings chills to my spine. True hip-hop. 🔥🔥🔥

[@muzim8931]

Oh man I cannot go a single day without listening to this record. Modern day events prove this song is very applicable.

[@BlumeBen]

Absolutely incredible song

[@everydaychristian8932]

The Top 50 All-Time Hip-Hop Song List, will always and must always include this song; Stakes Is High, by De La Soul. Beautiful, timely, serious, impactful, necessary music.

[@DMary27]

Please share some of your top 50!

[@everydaychristian8932]

@@DMary27 Here's another one in the top 50. "I Used To Love Her", by Common Sense. It was a landmark song which many top tier hiphop artists have since tried to mimic, including The Roots.

[@themalvaezshow5640]

This song gives me chills

[@SHIFTYCHEF]

Absolutely one of my all-time favorite SONGS ever, of any genre of music.

[@kushofulci7510]

Absolute Classic! R.I.P Plug Two!

[@seraphandsati]

rest in peace Jay, you forever missed.

[@mashondaknight9132]

2024 anyone this is a classic

[@NunYaBiz404]

A lot of familiar faces in here... Cameos were one of the craziest thing about nineties hip hop. So many chambers of lyrics, bearing a central bulb such that they spark and light comes out whenever they open up; all in one video 🥺

[@mason5540]

Gun control means using both hands! WORD

[@gxbrxxl9626]

Legendary beat

[@gotsmurb72]

Migrating to a higher form of consequence, compliments of strugglin', that shouldn't be notable Man, every word I say should be a hip hop quotable🌼☮

[@unc1589]

They were talking to a completely blind rap generation immersed in over the top materialism. They were like voices crying in the wilderness.

[@ramaluigi6846]

This is the PINNACLE of true hip-hop! The beat is sick, lyrics dope and the visuals are straight up vibez! Damn…

[@Pheonixboy1]

50 years of Hip-Hop. This is the song I’d choose to represent the culture.

[@Sputz3]

*This song is relevant today than it ever been.*

[@kylebourne6839]

One of the dopest albums...dopest rap trios...and joints in the history of hip hop! RIP Trugoy and Dilla. De La FOREVER!

[@fritzremy1444]

This song is stayin' on repeat!!!!🔥🔥🔥

[@Kwaku211]

Still holds meaning in 2023...

[@desoto6228]

I've always loved De la, realness

[@davidferreyra6855]

Jay Dee is Ready for this ! miss u bro , always the best

[@docgb5990]

This remains a total classic🙏🏽

[@user-bq9lg6kp6p]

27YRS. LATER AND IT'S SSOOO AMAZING HOW THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT THE INDUSTRY & CHANGING TIMES & MORALS BACKTHEN. THIS SONG IS ALL ABOUT TODAY.😞😥😞 ✊️👏🤝

[@6_feet_underground]

Posdnuos' introducing verse is quite possibly the most well delivered ever. Lyrically, creatively, punchlines, flow accuracy ratio is undefeated imo. Also possibly Dilla's most inspired beat.

[@gerimayawhyte154]

I read Pos lied to Q tip about not liking the beat because Tip would always swoop and grab a beat if Pos liked it.

[@6_feet_underground]

Interesting!

[@fireni328]

I was shook when the video for this track was taken down but now that it's back up I can say it still is amazing. De La Soul to infinity and beyond ! ✌🏼

[@fasghani]

Does it get any realer. Real hip hop. These were the days when the music I love meant something and was real. What a track still relevant today. Stakes still high!

[@havad3938]

So much wisdom in this song...And I really like their voices, faces, melodies, and style

[@MD-xb1qw]

Masterpiece.

[@brewcitymike1]

Got to see them live at the 2nd Detroit Electronic Music Festival in 2001 when their current MTV/radio hit was Oooh ft Redman and even though this was essentially a massive rave, DLS were actually one of the few hip hop acts that would get booked at raves so they were one of the headliners and when Oooh came on the entire massive crowd was waving their hands and there was a guy on crutches with a leg in a cast who was even waving his crutches back and forth. It was one of the most hype crowds I've ever been part of. The whole set was sick and was definitely the highlight of the event for me

[@thatonescrambler]

The nyc streets that are in my mind when i think of the rock i miss old nyc

[@nathanielgrant3909]

word

[@simonezannotti]

Another masterpiece from De La Soul. I want this in GTA VI

[@matthawes4395]

Dilla in the mix RIP Brother ❤

[@tenshyun]

The message is timeless.

[@tmgeza]

"These brothers nolonger talk sh#$t these brothers live it....." that is deep

[@grahamfleming324]

This tune is the best hip hop tone for 20 years

[@dalewimbish1435]

Peace to the two gods in their Ascension back to their final and most powerful form Phife and Trugoy are surely greatness on display or g o d it's 2024 I'm 64 and I'm still banging De La Soul❤

[@BlackManTravels]

RIP!!!!!! Senior year 1996. This song pivoted my life!

[@ericpurvis]

RIP DOVE....DE LA WAS A HUGE PART OF MY CHILDHOOD NO DOUBT

[@jermaineburgess3767]

I miss the good ole days 😢

[@carllthebigboy]

WOOP !!

[@RemofRenaissance]

How this song never gets the respect it deserves is beyond me. There should be millions of views on this. I can see also there’s been more awareness on de la soul on popular shows but still people don’t embrace. It’s sad

[@GinaLola-is7zz]

Dav3$ my bab3$

[@GinaLola-is7zz]

J D Dub

[@DJShawwtySwag]

First RIP 🪦 Trugoy The Dove, Phife Dawg, J Dilla And Ahmad Jamal 🙏🏿💯🙏🏿💯

[@4hunnid5thecentralspot10]

🫡

[@user-cb2xm5pm3q]

The richness of these colors come through even with a bad digital copy. Plz find the film negatives and scan this properly....film is magical

[@jouhsagreen1627]

I’m so happy their music started coming out on vinyl. So I can teach my son what this is all about. The meaning and message of what hip hop used to be about.

[@keepmoving2023-ku7nb]

I'm 42 years old and been around hip hop since the 80s and 90s it has evolved a lot😅

[@jouhsagreen1627]

Lately, I have been just listening to early hip hop since I’m from the 80’s. So I’ve been listening to buggy down productions, and special Ed, doc.

[@rastagideon8236]

This is good parenting.

[@JDKX15]

we need that

[@Deeman-212]

IM SICK OF THIS NEW RAP GEN

[@nettricegaskins1871]

RIP Plug 2. Thank you, Dave. Thank you, De La Soul.

[@Taberval]

De la 4ever

🎧😌 Damn that was such a great album when it dropped! I stayed bumpin' "Stakes Is High" in highschool. De La has been a part of my life from elementary school to my adulthood. 🙏🏾😌 Thank you fellas and Rest In Peace to Dave/Trugoy The Dove. We miss you brotha!

[@jkashdamoneyman5870]

R.I.P dilla, long live Ahmad, Fly High Trugoy

[@tyrelljohnson6874]

Rest easy trugoy and dilla

[@MsLuverofmusic57]

Now this is Hop Hop! 👏🏽❤👏🏽

[@sistamayleen71]

Quel plaisir de retrouver les clips de De La Soul en HD 😍😍 #ThankYouDave 🌼🌼🌼 #ThankYouJDilla

[@hightreestess]

Stakes is High is my favorite De La Soul album! ❤