A Tribe Called Quest

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albums

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- The Low End Theory
- Released 1991

- Anthology
- Released 1999

- Midnight Marauders
- Released 1993

- Beats, Rhymes and Life
- Released 1996

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 Soul's jazz-rap revolution, basing tracks around laid-back samples instead of the played-out James Brown-fests which many rappers had made a cottage industry by the late '80s. Comprised of 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 1993's Midnight Marauders. A spot on the 1994 Lollapalooza Tour showed their influence with the alternative crowd -- always a bedrock of A Tribe Called Quest's support -- but the group kept it real on 1996's 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 Quest's recording debut came in August 1989, when their single, "Description of a Fool," appeared on a tiny area label (though Q-Tip had previously guested on several tracks from De La Soul's 3 Feet High and Rising and later appeared on Deee-Lite's "Groove Is in the Heart").

Signed to Jive Records by 1989, A Tribe Called Quest released their first album, People's 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 Reed's 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 1993's 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 End's brilliance, the LP offered several classics (including Tribe's 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. Returning in 1996 with their fourth LP, Beats, Rhymes and Life, Tribe showed signs of wear; it was a good album, but proved less striking than The Low End Theory or Midnight Marauders. While touring in support of 1998's The Love Movement, the group announced their impending breakup. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide

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comments

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- - I miss all of them together...
  - - By BigVeney24
    - 3/30/2009 22:52:08
  - Phife going at Tip's neck for his choice in going a little R&B with his flow, and Ali doing his alternative thing, they need to come back together and give us one last banger to be proud of, I would definitely buy it, I miss the True Tribe.
  - 1 out of 1 people
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- - The Tribe
  - - By Virginia Zoon
    - 2/9/2009 22:54:27
  - When Tribe showed up on the scene i was a white teenager in suburbia but they blew my mind away. I was just discovering Eric B Rahkim, NWA, Easy E, Run-DMC, LL, Doug E. Fresh and many others.
    
    But Tribe hit me in the brain, they challenged me on an intellectual level. This is part of the roots and history of hiphop. So much of hiphop today is one hit wonders or flash in the pans. Tribe transcends and holds up today against even the best hiphop.
  - 2 out of 3 people
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- - They on point!!!
  - - By AwesomenessEric
    - 1/10/2009 04:09:22
  - That kid's Niiiiiiiiiceeee (from 1nce again)
    
    In order to know hiphop, you gotta learn about old school and the basics of hiphop.
    People can learn a thing or two from listening to them.
    
    Also if any1 likes them, im sure ya'll would like De La Soul, Slick Rick wit Doug E Fresh, and other old school stuff!!!
    
    We need to keep real hip hop alive with some of the on going and future artists (Comon,Nas,LupeFiasco,K-os,etc)
  - 3 out of 3 people
  - think this is useful

- - Amazing
  - - By Tymiegie
    - 10/18/2008 17:04:38
  - The only negative thing I can say about Tribe is that I wish they had made more albums. Totally phenomenal group!
  - 5 out of 5 people
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- - yes you can
  - - By MoVeMenT
    - 8/27/2008 17:27:14
  - tribe best hip hop if you don't know get Schooled
  - 4 out of 4 people
  - think this is useful