Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump

Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump stands as the fifth studio album by the iconic American hip hop group De La Soul, hitting the shelves in August of 2000.

Envisioned as the inaugural segment of a planned three-disc collection, the album was originally conceptualised as part of a trilogy. Featuring an array of notable guests such as Redman, Tash and J-Ro of Tha Liks, Xzibit, Busta Rhymes, Mike D and Ad Rock of the Beastie Boys, Busy Bee, Freddie Foxxx, and soul sensation Chaka Khan, the album encapsulates a diverse spectrum of talent.

In contrast to their preceding album, Stakes Is High, Mosaic Thump marked a triumphant return for De La Soul to chart success, fueled by the popularity of hit singles like “Oooh.” and “All Good?”. The album earned a Grammy nomination, underscoring its critical acclaim.

The Japanese release of the album boasted album art crafted by renowned hip hop-inspired manga artist Santa Inoue.

In the United States, the album made a strong debut at number 9 on the Billboard 200, selling 81,000 copies in its initial week.

Critically, Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump garnered positive reviews. James Poletti of Yahoo! Music awarded the album eight out of ten stars, applauding De La Soul’s rejection of hip-hop nihilism. Michael Goldberg of Neumu echoed the sentiment, noting the lively atmosphere created by the multitude of guest stars.

Robert Christgau, in his evaluation, highlighted De La Soul’s evolution into hip-hop’s purest musicians, praising their brilliant musicality and intelligent lyrics. He drew parallels between their artistry and the greatness of black music, emphasising their beats, flow, and tunes.