A Tribe Called Quest | ||
| Allmusic Biography : Without question the most intelligent, artistic rap group during the 1990s, A Tribe Called Quest jump-started and perfected the hip-hop alternative to hardcore and gangsta rap. In essence, they abandoned the macho posturing rap music had been constructed upon, and focused instead on abstract philosophy and message tracks. The "sucka MC" theme had never been completely ignored in hip-hop, but Tribe confronted numerous black issues -- date rape, use of the word nigger, the trials and tribulations of the rap industry -- all of which overpowered the occasional game of the dozens. Just as powerful musically, Quest built upon De La Souls jazz-rap revolution, basing tracks around laid-back samples instead of the played-out James Brown fests that many rappers had made a cottage industry by the late 80s. Comprising Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and Phife, A Tribe Called Quest debuted in 1989 and released their debut album one year later. Second album The Low End Theory was, quite simply, the most consistent and flowing hip-hop album ever recorded, though the trio moved closer to their harder contemporaries on 1993s Midnight Marauders. A spot on the 1994 Lollapalooza Tour showed their influence with the alternative crowd -- always a bedrock of A Tribe Called Quests support -- but the group kept it real on 1996s Beats, Rhymes and Life, a dedication to the streets and the hip-hop underground. A Tribe Called Quest was formed in 1988, though both Q-Tip (b. Jonathan Davis) and Phife (b. Malik Taylor) had grown up together in Queens. Q-Tip met DJ Ali Shaheed Muhammad while at high school and, after being named by the Jungle Brothers (who attended the same school), the trio began performing. A Tribe Called Quests recording debut came in August 1989, when their "Description of a Fool" single appeared on a tiny area label (though Q-Tip had previously guested on several tracks from De La Souls 3 Feet High and Rising and later appeared on Deee-Lites "Groove Is in the Heart"). Signed to Jive Records by 1989, A Tribe Called Quest released their first album, Peoples Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, one year later. Much like De La Soul, Tribe looked more to jazz as well as 70s rock for their sample base -- "Can I Kick It?" plundered Lou Reeds classic "Walk on the Wild Side" and made it viable in a hip-hop context. No matter how solid their debut was, second album The Low End Theory outdid all expectations and has held up as perhaps the best hip-hop LP of all time. The Low End Theory had included several tracks with props to hip-hop friends, and A Tribe Called Quest cemented their support of the rap community with 1993s Midnight Marauders. The album cover and booklet insert included the faces of more than 50 rappers -- including obvious choices such as De La Soul and the Jungle Brothers -- as well as mild surprises like the Beastie Boys, Ice-T, and Heavy D. Though impossible to trump Low Ends brilliance, the LP offered several classics (including Tribes most infectious single to date, "Award Tour") and a harder sound than the first two albums. During the summer of 1994, A Tribe Called Quest toured as the obligatory rap act on the Lollapalooza Festival lineup, and spent a quiet 1995, marked only by several production jobs for Q-Tip. They returned in 1996 with their fourth LP, Beats, Rhymes and Life, which prominently featured Q-Tips nephew Consequence and production from Jay Dee (aka J Dilla). The album was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Rap Album category and reached platinum status. Before they released their next album, 1998s The Love Movement, the group announced it would be their final album and that they were splitting up. Each member pursued solo careers to varying degrees of success, but the call of the band proved strong enough that they reunited many times over the years. They headlined the Rock the Bells concert in 2004, toured heavily in 2006, featured on the Rock the Bells tours of 2008 and 2010, and played a series of shows in 2013, including some with Kanye West in N.Y.C. Though at the time Q-Tip stated that this was the last time the group would play together, they reunited again in November of 2015 to play The Tonight Show in conjunction with the 25th anniversary reissue of Peoples Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm. Sadly, Tribe co-founder Phife -- suffering from diabetes for many years and the recipient of a liver transplant -- died in March of 2016 at the age of 45. Later that year, Q-Tip announced that the group had finished a new album. The night of their Tonight Show appearance, the original four members of the group had decided to put aside their differences and start recording again. Sessions were held in Q-Tips well-appointed home studio, and the group welcomed guests like Busta Rhymes, Elton John, Kendrick Lamar, and André 3000 to contribute. Though Phife passed before the album was finished, Q-Tip was able to power through and complete it. We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service was released in late 2016, topping the American charts and earning the group attention from a new generation of fans. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 14 Title: People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm Released: 1990-03-12 Tracks: 11 Duration: 51:56 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Push It Along (07:42) 2 Luck of Lucien (04:33) 3 After Hours (04:39) 4 Footprints (04:02) 5 I Left My Wallet in El Segundo (04:06) 6 Bonita Applebum (04:11) 7 Can I Kick It? (04:52) 8 Youthful Expression (04:56) 9 Rhythm (Devoted to the Art of Moving Butts) (03:33) 10 Mr. Muhammad (05:27) 11 Ham n Eggs (03:54) |
| People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm : Allmusic album Review : One year after De la Soul re-drew the map for alternative rap, fellow Native Tongues brothers A Tribe Called Quest released their debut, the quiet beginning of a revolution in non-commercial hip-hop. Peoples Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm floated a few familiar hooks, but it wasnt a sampladelic record. Rappers Q-Tip and Phife Dawg dropped a few clunky rhymes, but their lyrics were packed with ideas, while their flow and interplay were among the most original in hip-hop. From the beginning, Tribe focused on intelligent message tracks but rarely sounded over-serious about them. With "Pubic Enemy," they put a humorous spin on the touchy subject of venereal disease (including a special award for the most inventive use of the classic "scratchin" sample), and moved right into a love rap, "Bonita Applebum," which alternated a sitar sample with the type of jazzy keys often heard on later Tribe tracks. "Description of a Fool" took to task those with violent tendencies, while "Youthful Expression" spoke wisely of the power yet growing responsibility of teenagers. Next to important message tracks with great productions, A Tribe Called Quest could also be deliciously playful (or frustratingly unserious, depending on your opinion). "I Left My Wallet in El Segundo" describes a vacation gone hilariously wrong, while "Ham n Eggs" may be the oddest topic for a rap track ever heard up to that point ("I dont eat no ham and eggs, cuz theyre high in cholesterol"). Contrary to the message in the track titles, the opener "Push It Along" and "Rhythm (Dedicated to the Art of Moving Butts)" were fusions of atmospheric samples with tough beats, special attention being paid to a pair of later Tribe sample favorites, jazz guitar and 70s fusion synth. Restless and ceaselessly imaginative, Tribe perhaps experimented too much on their debut, but they succeeded at much of it, certainly enough to show much promise as a new decade dawned. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 14 Title: People’s Instinctive Remixes Released: 1991 Tracks: 6 Duration: 28:52 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Can I Kick It (Boiler House mix) (06:41) 2 I Left My Wallet in El Segundo (Vampire mix) (05:57) 3 Bonita Applebum (12″ Why? edit) (05:33) 4 Description of a Fool (Talkie) (03:06) 5 Bonita Applebum (Hootie mix) (03:15) 6 Pubic Enemy (Saturday Night Virus disco mix) (04:18) |
 | Album: 3 of 14 Title: The Low End Theory Released: 1991-09-24 Tracks: 15 Duration: 48:04 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Excursions (03:54) 2 Buggin’ Out (03:38) 3 Rap Promoter (02:13) 4 Butter (03:38) 5 Verses From the Abstract (03:58) 6 Show Business (03:53) 7 Vibes and Stuff (04:17) 8 The Infamous Date Rape (02:53) 9 Check the Rhime (03:36) 10 Everything Is Fair (02:58) 11 Jazz (We’ve Got) (04:10) 12 Skypager (02:12) 13 What? (02:28) 14 Scenario (04:10) 15 Check the Rhime (Mr. Mohammed mix) (?) |
| The Low End Theory : Allmusic album Review : While most of the players in the jazz-rap movement never quite escaped the pasted-on qualities of their vintage samples, with The Low End Theory, A Tribe Called Quest created one of the closest and most brilliant fusions of jazz atmosphere and hip-hop attitude ever recorded. The rapping by Q-Tip and Phife Dawg could be the smoothest of any rap record ever heard; the pair are so in tune with each other, they sound like flip sides of the same personality, fluidly trading off on rhymes, with the former earning his nickname (the Abstract) and Phife concerning himself with the more concrete issues of being young, gifted, and black. The trio also takes on the rap game with a pair of hard-hitting tracks: "Rap Promoter" and "Show Business," the latter a lyrical soundclash with Q-Tip and Phife plus Brand Nubians Diamond D, Lord Jamar, and Sadat X. The woman problem gets investigated as well, on two realistic yet sensitive tracks, "Butter" and "The Infamous Date Rape." The productions behind these tracks arent quite skeletal, but theyre certainly not complex. Instead, Tribe weaves little more than a stand-up bass (sampled or, on one track, jazz luminary Ron Carter) and crisp, live-sounding drum programs with a few deftly placed samples or electric keyboards. Its a tribute to their unerring production sense that, with just those few tools, Tribe produced one of the best hip-hop albums in history, a record that sounds better with each listen. The Low End Theory is an unqualified success, the perfect marriage of intelligent, flowing raps to nuanced, groove-centered productions. | ||
 | Album: 4 of 14 Title: Revised Quest for the Seasoned Traveller Released: 1992-11-16 Tracks: 12 Duration: 57:26 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Bonita Applebum (12″ Why? edit) (05:33) 2 I Left My Wallet in El Segundo (Vampire mix) (05:57) 3 Description of a Fool (Talkie) (03:06) 4 Pubic Enemy (Saturday Night Virus disco mix) (04:18) 5 Check the Rhime (Mr. Muhammad’s mix) (03:39) 6 Luck of Lucien (main mix) (07:10) 7 Can I Kick It? (extended Boilerhouse mix) (06:40) 8 Scenario (Young Nation mix) (05:09) 9 If the Papes Come (remix) (04:17) 10 Jazz (We’ve Got) (re‐recording) (04:20) 11 Butter (Hip Hop mix) (03:58) 12 Bonita Applebum (Hootie mix) (03:15) |
| Revised Quest for the Seasoned Traveller : Allmusic album Review : As the years go by, the number of obnoxious remix collections multiplies faster than a tribble. The dance contingent is the worst criminal of this exercise, whereas the farthest hip-hop groups usually stray is by releasing "instrumental" versions of their albums. Thankfully, Revised Quest for the Seasoned Traveler is a refreshing exception to both such workmanlike rules. Fans will notice something pleasant right off the bat: The majority of the remixes on this compilation are actually done by the band themselves. So you get the rather faithful re-take of "Description of a Fool" by A Tribe Called Quest (and the Jungle Brothers), "Public Enemy" in a more club-friendly environment, and even the smiley "Bonita Applebum" turned into a fun piece of Top 40 cheese. Its most of the third-party perspectives that should be passed over (the simplistic house of Tom and Jerrys "Luck of Lucien" remix is as predictable as it sounds). Which means only a couple of these outsiders go much above and beyond the call of remix duty. The "Boilerhouse Mix" of "Can I Kick It?" adds a layer of dark solidity to the Lou Reed-sampling classic while Norman Cook (in his pre-Fatboy Slim days) does a fiesta, horn-blaring reggae take on "I Left My Walled in El Segundo." Both of these are unique -- and tasteful -- remixes done of such Tribe favorites. So generally, the quality is quite high here compared to what one may expect from cobbled-together remix albums. Its half-way personal, half-way engaging. Revised Quest for the Seasoned Traveler is a treat for both hardcore fans as well as those listeners curious enough as to how to properly compile a hip-hop remix collection. Especially without the tribbles. | ||
 | Album: 5 of 14 Title: Midnight Marauders Released: 1993-11-09 Tracks: 16 Duration: 57:51 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Midnight Marauders Tour Guide (00:45) 2 Steve Biko (Stir It Up) (03:11) 3 Award Tour (03:46) 4 8 Million Stories (04:21) 5 Sucka Nigga (04:05) 6 Midnight (04:24) 7 We Can Get Down (04:19) 8 Electric Relaxation (04:03) 9 Clap Your Hands (03:16) 10 Oh My God (03:30) 11 Keep It Rollin’ (03:06) 12 The Chase, Part II (04:02) 13 Lyrics to Go (04:09) 14 God Lives Through (04:15) 15 Hot Sex (02:46) 16 Electric Relaxation (Relax Yourself Girl) (instrumental) (03:48) |
| Midnight Marauders : Allmusic album Review : Though the abstract rappers finally betrayed a few commercial ambitions for Midnight Marauders, the happy result was a smart, hooky record that may not have furthered the jazz-rap fusions of The Low End Theory, but did merge Tribe-style intelligence and reflection with some of the most inviting grooves heard on any early-90s rap record. The productions, more funky than jazzy, were tighter overall -- but the big improvement, four years after their debut, came with Q-Tips and Phife Dawgs raps. Focused yet funky, polished but raw, the duo was practically telepathic on "Steve Biko (Stir It Up)" and "The Chase, Pt. 2," though the mammoth track here was the pop hit "Award Tour." A worldwide call-out record with a killer riff and a great pair of individual raps from the pair, it assured that Midnight Marauders would become A Tribe Called Quests biggest seller. The album didnt feature as many topical tracks as Tribe was known for, though the group did include an excellent, sympathetic commentary on the question of that word ("Sucka Nigga," with a key phrase: "being as we use it as a term of endearment"). Most of the time, A Tribe Called Quest was indulging in impeccably produced, next-generation games of the dozens ("We Can Get Down," "Oh My God," "Lyrics to Go"), but also took the time to illustrate sensitivity and spirituality ("God Lives Through"). A Tribe Called Quests Midnight Marauders was commercially successful, artistically adept, and lyrically inventive; the album cemented their status as alternative raps prime sound merchants, authors of the most original style since the Bomb Squad first exploded on wax. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 14 Title: Beats, Rhymes and Life Released: 1996-07-29 Tracks: 15 Duration: 51:19 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Phony Rappers (03:36) 2 Get a Hold (03:35) 3 Motivators (03:20) 4 Jam (04:38) 5 Crew (01:58) 6 The Pressure (03:02) 7 1nce Again (03:49) 8 Mind Power (03:56) 9 The Hop (03:27) 10 Keeping It Moving (03:38) 11 Baby Phife’s Return (03:19) 12 Separate/Together (01:38) 13 What Really Goes On (03:24) 14 Word Play (03:00) 15 Stressed Out (04:58) |
| Beats, Rhymes and Life : Allmusic album Review : With each of its first three albums, A Tribe Called Quest seemed to be on its way to bigger and better things, artistically and commercially. Beats, Rhymes and Life promptly ended that streak and still ranks as the groups most disappointing listen. Amplifying the bare beats-and-bliss of The Low End Theory but erasing the hooks of Midnight Marauders, Beats, Rhymes and Life simply wasnt a compelling record. In fact, A Tribe Called Quest sounded bored through most of it -- and, to put it bluntly, there wasnt much to get excited about either. Previously so invigorating and idea-driven, Q-Tip and Phife strutted through their verses, often sounding confused, hostile, and occasionally paranoid (check out the battle tracks, "Phony Rappers" and "Mind Power"). Meanwhile, the skeletal productions offered little incentive to decode the lyrics and messages, most of which were complex as expected. Though several other tracks had solid productions (like the spry, bass-driven backing to "Phony Rappers"), Beats, Rhymes and Life saw A Tribe Called Quest making its first (and only) significant misstep. (Constant touring off the success of Midnight Marauders may have been a factor.) Yes, they were still much better than the vast majority of alternative rappers, but it seemed theyd lost their power to excite. One of the few successes was a surprising R&B crossover called "1nce Again" (featuring Tammy Lucas). | ||
 | Album: 7 of 14 Title: The Jam EP Released: 1997-08-01 Tracks: 4 Duration: 15:59 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Jam (03:39) 2 Get a Hold (03:35) 3 Mardi Gras at Midnight (04:22) 4 Same Ol’ Thing (04:23) |
 | Album: 8 of 14 Title: The Love Movement Released: 1998-09-09 Tracks: 21 Duration: 1:13:33 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Start It Up (03:19) 2 Find a Way (03:23) 3 Da Booty (03:21) 4 Steppin’ It Up (03:22) 5 Like It Like That (02:46) 6 Common Ground (Get It Goin’ On) (02:50) 7 4 Moms (01:49) 8 His Name Is Mutty Ranks (01:56) 9 Give Me (03:52) 10 Pad & Pen (03:23) 11 Busta’s Lament (02:39) 12 Hot 4 U (03:16) 13 Against the World (04:00) 14 The Love (04:00) 15 Rock Rock Yall (04:16) 1 Scenario (remix) (05:19) 2 Money Maker (04:22) 3 Hot Sex (02:46) 4 Oh My God (remix) (04:02) 5 Jazz (We’ve Got) (re‐recording radio) (04:19) 6 One Two S**t (04:33) |
| The Love Movement : Allmusic album Review : Continuing with the subdued, mature stylistic flow of Beats, Rhymes and Life, The Love Movement, the fifth album from A Tribe Called Quest, is the groups subtlest album yet -- which may just be a polite way for saying its a little monotonous. Throughout the record, Tribe mines the same jazz-flavored, R&B-fueled beats that were the hallmark of Beats. Although the "love" concept provides a thematic cohesion to the album -- almost all of the songs are about love, in one way or another -- the overall effect is quite similar to its immediate predecessor: the music is enthralling for a while, but soon it all sounds a little too familiar. Part of the problem is that Tribe functions on a cerebral level, a point made painfully clear by Busta Rhymes and Redmans roaring, visceral cameos on "Steppin It Up." On their own, Tribe favors craft over raw skills. That means there are plenty of pleasures to be had from careful listening, but Tribe has reached a point where its easier to admire the Ummahs stylish production and the subtle rhymes of Q-Tip and Phife than it is to outright love them, which is ironic for an album bearing the title The Love Movement. | ||
 | Album: 9 of 14 Title: The Anthology Released: 1999-10-25 Tracks: 19 Duration: 1:14:47 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Check the Rhime (03:36) 2 Bonita Applebum (03:36) 3 Award Tour (03:28) 4 Can I Kick It? (04:25) 5 Scenario (04:10) 6 Buggin’ Out (03:38) 7 If the Papes Come (04:14) 8 Electric Relaxation (03:45) 9 Jazz (We’ve Got) (04:10) 10 I Left My Wallet in El Segundo (04:06) 11 Hot Sex (02:46) 12 Oh My God (03:26) 13 Stressed Out (04:53) 14 Luck of Lucien (04:33) 15 Description of a Fool (05:42) 16 Keeping It Moving (03:48) 17 Find a Way (03:23) 18 Sucka Nigga (03:56) 19 Vivrant Thing (03:11) |
| The Anthology : Allmusic album Review : For those who havent discovered that A Tribe Called Quest made several of the best LPs in hip-hop history, Anthology is a perfect way to encapsulate the trios decade-long career into one manageable portion. All of their best and biggest songs are here, from the early neglected joint "Luck of Lucien" to classic jazz-rap from The Low End Theory like "Jazz (Weve Got)," and their 45-rpm peak with "Award Tour," all the way to their last big hit, "Find a Way," from 1998s The Love Movement. Yes, anyone who enjoys hip-hop needs to own at least Midnight Marauders and The Low End Theory, but Anthology succeeds in delivering all the highest points from a great hip-hop groups career. The collection also includes the first solo track from Q-Tip, 1999s "Vivrant Thing." | ||
 | Album: 10 of 14 Title: Hits, Rarities & Remixes Released: 2003-06-17 Tracks: 18 Duration: 1:09:53 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Oh My God (remix) (04:02) 2 Award Tour (03:28) 3 Can I Kick It? (04:25) 4 One, Two, S**t (04:31) 5 Electric Relaxation (03:45) 6 Mr. Incognito (03:50) 7 I Left My Wallet in El Segundo (04:06) 8 Check the Rhime (03:36) 9 Lyrics to Go (Tumblin’ Dice remix) (03:50) 10 Scenario (04:10) 11 Same Ol’ Thing (04:23) 12 Buggin’ Out (03:38) 13 Bonita Applebum (03:36) 14 Jazz (We’ve Got) (04:10) 15 Glamour & Glitz (03:38) 16 Clap Your Hands (03:33) 17 The Night He Got Caught (03:11) 18 Peace, Prosperity & Paper (04:00) |
| Hits, Rarities & Remixes : Allmusic album Review : Unquestionably one of the most influential acts in the history of hip-hop, the Tribe left behind them a legacy few could contend with and most have revered since their debut release. And while Hits, Rarities & Remixes is not as thorough a compilation as 1999s Anthology, it does offer highly sought-after tracks that are out of print, including a few that were featured exclusively on movie soundtracks. A good number of the crowd-favorite anthems that made Tribe one of the most adored groups of its time are featured here, and a few that were secret weapons in many a DJ crate during their initial release. What separates this collection from the earlier anthology is its ability to function as a comprehensive road map through the groups career for the inquisitive first-timer as well as offer up obscure tracks for the die-hard beat heads. And while serious fanatics will already have all of these releases on CD, its well worth the purchase price to have them all in one place. | ||
 | Album: 11 of 14 Title: The Lost Tribes Released: 2006-03-15 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:01:13 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Oh My God (UK Flavor radio mix) (03:54) 2 Mardi Gras at Midnight (04:18) 3 The Remedy (04:23) 4 Can I Kick It? (Phase 5 mix) (Denmark) (04:19) 5 Stressed Out Remix (Baby Phife version) (04:17) 6 Scenario (remix) (05:19) 7 I C U (Doin It) (03:41) 8 Its Yours (04:01) 9 Jam (remix) (02:44) 10 Game Day (04:45) 11 Glamour & Glitz Weekendz (03:36) 12 Weekendz (02:55) 13 Hey (03:08) 14 Rumble in the Jungle (05:09) 15 Practice Session (02:27) 16 That Shit (02:17) |
 | Album: 12 of 14 Title: The Best of A Tribe Called Quest Released: 2008-03-24 Tracks: 15 Duration: 58:22 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Can I Kick It? (04:12) 2 Bonita Applebum (03:36) 3 Vibes and Stuff (04:17) 4 1nce Again (03:49) 5 Jazz (We’ve Got) (04:19) 6 Like It Like That (02:46) 7 I Left My Wallet in El Segundo (04:06) 8 Hot Sex (02:46) 9 Check the Rhime (03:36) 10 Description of a Fool (05:42) 11 Sucka Nigga (04:05) 12 Buggin’ Out (03:38) 13 Scenario (04:10) 14 Oh My God (03:30) 15 Award Tour (03:46) |
 | Album: 13 of 14 Title: The Collection Released: 2009 Tracks: 15 Duration: 00:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Can I Kick It? (?) 2 Bonita Applebum (?) 3 Vibes and Stuff (?) 4 1nce Again (?) 5 Jazz (Weve Got) (remix) (?) 6 Like It Like That (?) 7 I Left My Wallet in El Segundo (?) 8 Hot Sex (?) 9 Check the Rhyme (?) 10 Description of a Fool (?) 11 Sucka Nigga (?) 12 Buggin Out (?) 13 Scenario (?) 14 Oh My God (?) 15 Award Tour (?) |
 | Album: 14 of 14 Title: We Got It From Here… Thank You 4 Your Service Released: 2016-11-11 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:00:27 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 The Space Program (05:40) 2 We the People… (02:52) 3 Whateva Will Be (02:52) 4 Solid Wall of Sound (03:43) 5 Dis Generation (03:33) 6 Kids… (03:48) 7 Melatonin (04:44) 8 Enough!! (03:20) 9 Mobius (02:51) 10 Black Spasmodic (03:03) 11 The Killing Season (02:43) 12 Lost Somebody (04:18) 13 Movin Backwards (04:41) 14 Conrad Tokyo (03:31) 15 Ego (03:17) 16 The Donald (05:22) |
| We Got It From Here… Thank You 4 Your Service : Allmusic album Review : It seemed like the story of A Tribe Called Quest ended with the sad passing of original member Phife in early 2016. It began with their glory days as one of hip-hops greatest acts to years of sometimes bitter estrangement, then hit a high point with the group coming together in 2015 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their debut album Peoples Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm. They had a surprise up their sleeve, though. On the night they performed on The Tonight Show, the four original members of the Tribe decided the time was right to hit the studio and make a new album. Repairing relationships was the first step and once that happened, the group (minus Ali Shaheed Muhammad, who was in Los Angeles working on the music to Luke Cage) holed up in Q-Tips home studio and started working on their comeback, We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service. Q-Tip held down the producers chair with a mad scientists flair, searching near and far through his record collection for inspiration. Tip, Phife, and Jarobi brought rhymes that sounded like theyd been sealed up since the early 90s, then broken open and served fresh. Old collaborators Busta Rhymes and Consequence dropped by to add their skills and energy; new artists like Kendrick Lamar and Anderson Paak, who grew up on the Tribe, dropped by to add verses, and some big names like Andre 3000 and Kanye West jumped in feet first, especially Andre, whose rapid-fire verses with Q-Tip on "Kids" provide one of the records highlights. Jack White adds some of his guitar heroics on a few tracks and Elton John makes a cameo as well, singing the hook of the very odd "Solid Wall of Sound." The sheer number of guests, the long wait since their last album, the shifting tides of hip hop -- all these factors could have led to We Got It being a disappointment. Amazingly, it turns out to be almost the exact opposite. Thanks to Q-Tips visionary and pleasingly weird production, which draws from golden age hip-hop, old-school jazz, odd samples, dub reggae, and interplanetary electro, the fact the neither he nor Phife have lost even a small percentage of a step, and the seamlessly integrated contributions from the guests (especially Paak on "Moving Backwards"), the album is vibrant, intense, and alive. The group sound like theyre having a blast on party songs like "The Donald" or the buoyant "Dis Generation," get mad as hell on tracks like "Space Program" and "We the People," and generally come off like theyre still the greatest. This is no nostalgia trip or callous comeback. Its a giant exclamation point on the end of a brilliant career. Its also a tribute to the everyman genius of Phife, a widescreen look at the record-making skills of Q-Tip, and most importantly, its a pure, undiluted, joyous thrill to have the Tribe back and still sounding this vital. | ||