>fsho
>
>I listened to that whole season of WHHW as well (all of the
>seasons actually). Per Paul, De La was very involved and
>proactive in crate digging, finding samples, and
>conceptualizing the sound. If he was the primary producer of
>Stakes, beyond the skits/humor/lightheartedness, he'd be
>taking those same samples and ideas used by De La but flipping
>them in his own unique Prince Paul style. His production with
>them is notably whimsical, dusty, eclectic. He inspired them
>to experiment with their deliveries and styles.
>
>Remember, this is when De La settled into their more
>monotonous, serious flow. Less playfulness and exploration
>with cadences. Stylistically, Stakes felt more in line with
>albums like The Score, Illadelph Halflife, Labcabin, Soul
>Food, or ATLiens whereas their first 3 albums were all on the
>vanguard and ahead of the times. As dope as Stakes was, it was
>very much of the times. I call it the post-Wu hangover of the
>mid-90's: less back and forths and more individual verses,
>more monotonous flows, punchier/harder sonics, more
>minimalistic usage of samples (less layering and sonic wall of
>sound a la the Bomb Squad).
>
>Although Paul was only a little older, he was from the old
>school.. He came up under Stet. De La not only had the vision
>for their own sound, they now had the skills and means to
>present it as they hear it. It wasn't just a shift in the
>group dynamic. The whole landscape was shifting.