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'Beats, Rhymes and Life' is the fourth studio album by American hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest. Released on July 30, 1996, it followed three years after the highly regarded and successful 'Midnight Marauders'. Produced by The Ummah, the album is a departure from the joyful, positive vibe of the group's earlier albums and is regarded as their darkest album in content.

TRACK LISTING

1. Phony Rappers
2. Get A Hold
3. Motivators
4. The Jam
5. Crew
6. The Pressure
7. 1nce Again
8. Mind Power
9. The Hop
10. Keeping It Moving
11. Baby Phife's Return
12. Separate/Together
13. What Really Goes On
14. Word Play
15. Stressed Out

'Hits, Rarities & Remixes' is a compilation album by A Tribe Called Quest. Featuring at the time two previously unreleased songs ('Mr. Incognito' and 'The Night He Got Caught'), as well as remixes and some of the group's more familiar songs, it also contains songs that were featured in movie soundtracks.

TRACK LISTING

1. Oh My God [Remix]
2. Award Tour (featuring Trugoy)
3. Can I Kick It?
4. One Two Shit (featuring Busta Rhymes)
5. Electric Relaxation
6. Mr. Incognito
7. I Left My Wallet In El Segundo
8. Check The Rhime
9. Lyrics To Go [Tumblin' Dice Remix]
10. Scenario (featuring Leaders Of The New School)
11. Same Ol' Thing (from Men In Black: The Album)
12. Buggin' Out
13. Bonita Applebum
14. Jazz (We've Got)
15. Glamour & Glitz (from The Show Soundtrack)
16. Clap Your Hands
17. The Night He Got Caught
18. Peace, Prosperity & Paper (from High School High Soundtrack)

One of the finest hip-hop albums ever made, A Tribe Called Quest's debut record (featuring stone-cold classics like "Can I Kick It?" and "Bonita Applebum") took the idea of the boasting hip-hop male and turned it on its head. For many listeners, when this non-traditional, surprisingly feminine album was released, it was like hearing an entirely new form of music. In this book, Shawn Taylor explores the creation of the album as well as the impact it had on him at the time - a 17-year-old high-school geek who was equally into hip-hop, punk, new wave, skateboarding, and Dungeons & Dragons.

All of a sudden, with this one album, the world made more sense. He has spent many years investigating this album, from the packaging to the song placement to each and every sample - Shawn Taylor knows this record like he knows his tattoos, and he's finally been able to write a fascinating and highly entertaining book about it.

A Tribe Called Quest weren't rap's biggest hit makers, but their signature numbers indeed fill this collection with style, eclecticism, and laid-back but deliberate flow; indeed, the group's stature seems to have grown since its 1998 breakup. The continued importance of their music and ideals for many hip-hop fans will only be enhanced by Anthology's 18 tracks (Q-Tip's recent hit "Vivrant Thing," from the Violator album is a bonus track).

Those unfamiliar with Tribe's achievement should have their heads and booties set into motion by the fellas' many moods, from the playful "Check the Rhime" and "I Left My Wallet in El Segundo" to trenchant commentaries such as "Description of a Fool" and "Sucka Nigga." And with its inclusion here, the somewhat rare and all-the-way out "If the Papes Come" will doubtless re-establish itself as an underground favourite.​

TRACK LISTING

Side A
Check The Rhime
Bonita Applebum
Award Tour
Can I Kick It?
Scenario

Side B
Buggin' Out
If The Papes Come
Electric Relaxation
Jazz (We've Got)
I Left My Wallet In El Segundo

Side C
Hot Sex
Oh My God
Stressed Out
Luck Of Lucien
Description Of A Fool

Side D
Keeping It Moving
Find A Way
Sucka Nigga
Vivrant Thing

In 1991, A Tribe Called Quest released The Low End Theory, a groundbreaking album that solidified their status as hip-hop legends. Building on the jazz-infused sound of their debut, the album featured sparse grooves and expertly chosen bass samples, with jazz bassist Ron Carter contributing to 'Verses from the Abstract.' DJ Ali Shaheed Muhammad's minimalistic approach allowed Q-Tip and Phife Dawg's lyrical prowess to shine, showcasing their clever wordplay, humor, and social commentary. Tracks like 'Butter' and 'The Infamous Date Rape' addressed misogyny, while 'Rap Promoter' and 'Show Business' critiqued the music industry.

The album's production is consistently smooth, with standout tracks such as 'Check The Rhime' and 'Jazz (We've Got).' The posse cut 'Scenario,' featuring Leaders of the New School, is a legendary closer. The album's influence on hip-hop is undeniable, inspiring future artists like Kendrick Lamar and Outkast. The Low End Theory remains relevant and refreshing, a testament to Tribe's creativity and unflappable style. It's a masterful blend of thought-provoking lyrics and impeccable production, making it one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: It can be disheartening sometimes to see just how far hip-hop has diverged from its original themes and message. Against a backdrop of regression, with violence and misogyny seemingly rife amongst current drill and trap styles; ‘The Low End Theory’ serves as a consistent reminder of the genre’s positive, innovative and socially-engaging roots.

TRACK LISTING

Side A
Excursions
Buggin' Out
Rap Promoter
Butter

Side B
Verses From The Abstract
Show Business
Vibes And Stuff

Side C
Infamous Date Rape
Check The Rhime
Everything Is Fair

Side D
Jazz (We've Got)
Skypager
What?
Scenario

The Love Movement" stands as A Tribe Called Quest's fifth studio album. It was initially launched on September 29, 1998, under the Jive Records label. This album is a concept masterpiece delving into the theme of love through its 15 album tracks and 6 bonus tracks, spread across 3 LPs. Notable singles from the album include "Find A Way" and "Hot Sex".

TRACK LISTING

DISC 1 - LP - Side A
Start It Up
Find Away
Da Booty
DISC 2 - LP - Side B
Steppin’ It Up
Like It Like That
Common Ground
4 Moms
His Name Is Mutty Ranks
DISC 2 - LP - Side A
Give Me
Pad & Pen
Busta’s Lament
Hot 4 U
DISC 2 - LP - Side B
Against The World
The Love
Rock Rock Ya’ll
DISC 3 - LP - Side A
Scenario (Remix)
Money Maker
Hot Sex
DISC 3 - LP - Side B
Oh My God
Jazzy (We’ve Got) (Re-recording)
One Two Sh*t

The third and last of the 'classic' Tribe records (preceding the addition of Jay Dee and the formation of the Ummah production team), "Midnight Marauders" sees the group at their most musically sophisticated, marrying the distinctive Tribe sound with groundbreaking sampling and adventurous rhymes. The logical evolution of the bop-influenced hooks which characterized "Low End Theory", "...Marauders" seemlessly balances jazz, soul and reggae influences with pure golden age hip hop, graduating from a cool school aesthetic to an electric jazz sound (reminiscent of fusion-era Miles Davis). Lyrically "Midnight Marauders" finds the group's abstract poetics in excellent form as usual, and Phife is miles ahead of the 'mayor-flavor' rhymes of "Can I Kick It." As per the title, the album develops the introspection of "After Hours" into a nocturnal feel which winds its way through "Midnight," the party-rock of "We Can Get Down," "Clap Your Hands" and the complex layers of "God Lives Through." No review of this LP would be complete without a moment in tribute to the majesty of the Ronnie Foster sampling "Electric Relaxation", a flawless cut which sees Q-Tip and Phife Dawg trading killer bars with effortless flow. All in all, a true classic from back in the day, which no home should be without.

TRACK LISTING

Midnight Marauders Tour Guide
Steve Biko (Stir It Up)
Award Tour
8 Million Stories
Sucka Nigga
Midnight
We Can Get Down
Electric Relaxation
Clap Your Hands
Oh My God
Keep It Rollin'
The Chase (Part II)
Lyrics To Go
God Lives Through

All-time classic hip-hop of the highest possible grade from A Tribe Called Quest, featuring that verse from Busta Rhymes. Replica reissue of the prized, Germany-only 7” from 1992, cut loud.

TRACK LISTING

Scenario (Album Version)
Scenario (Young Nation Mix)

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. People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm floated a few familiar hooks, but it wasn't 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. Includes "Can I Kick It?", "Bonita Applebum", "I Left My Wallet In El Segundo", "Description Of A Fool", "Luck Of Lucien" etc.

TRACK LISTING

1. Push It Along 7:42
2. Luck Of Lucien 4:32
3. After Hours 4:39
4. Footprints 4:00
5. I Left My Wallet In El Segundo 4:06
6. Pubic Enemy 3:45
7. Bonita Applebum 3:50
8. Can I Kick It 4:12
9. Youthful Expression 4:52
10. Rhythm (Devoted To The Art Of Moving Butts) 4:01
11. Mr. Muhammad 3:33
12. Ham ’n’ Eggs 5:27
13. Go Ahead In The Rain 3:58
14. Description Of A Fool 5:42

Just when it looked like The Avalanches had the 'unlikely comeback of the year' award sewn up, legendary hip hop ensemble A Tribe Called Quest return with their first album in eighteen years, months after the death of group member Phife Dawg. Recorded at Q-Tip's home studio after the group's reunion on Jimmy Fallon, the set sees Q-Tip, Phife and Jarobi swapping the mic at will, exchanging couplets and finishing each other's lines like they'd never been apart. Musically, "We Got It From Here..." finds the group flipping their well loved jazz samples into contemporary arrangements alive with collaborative performances from a whole host of A-list guests, while the free flowing lyrics meditate on culture, sociology and the total shit show which is US politics. As a longtime fan of ATCQ, I'd have been happy with a decent rehash of their early nineties stylings, but "We Got It From Here" excels with modern production and pointed subject matter, serving up a stinging critique of society's ills over the most infectious grooves. Simply put, it's a masterpiece.

TRACK LISTING

1. The Space Program
2. We The People...
3. Whateva Will Be
4. Solid Wall Of Sound
5. Dis Generation
6. Kids... 
7. Melatonin
8. Enough!!
9. Mobius
10. Black Spasmodic
11. The Killing Season
12. Lost Somebody
13. Movin Backwards
14. Conrad Tokyo
15. Ego
16. The Donald