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The Low End Theory, album by A Tribe Called Quest . One of the best jazz rap albums and best hip hop albums period.
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The Low End Theory is the second studio album by American hip hop group "A Tribe Called Quest" released in the year 1991 following their debut album "People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm"
The album's executive producer is Q Tip and co producers include Skeff Anselm and DJ Ali Shaheed Muhammad.
The main MCs include Q Tip and Phife Dawg(R.I.P.)
Lyrically, the album features social commentary, word play, humor and interplay between group members Q-Tip and Phife Dawg.
The main MCs include Q Tip and Phife Dawg(R.I.P.)
Lyrically, the album features social commentary, word play, humor and interplay between group members Q-Tip and Phife Dawg.
Track 1: Excursion (10/10)
This track perfectly sets the theme for the album. It includes verses soleley from Q Tip that consist of witty lyricism and humour. He talks about his father liking the sound ofcJazz "bebop" mixed with hip hop music.
This track perfectly sets the theme for the album. It includes verses soleley from Q Tip that consist of witty lyricism and humour. He talks about his father liking the sound ofcJazz "bebop" mixed with hip hop music.
Track 2:Buggin Out(9/10)
Q Tip and Phife go back an forth and display the great chemistry they have over a smooth jazzy baseline and a "boom thack" sounding beat.
The refrain on the chorus is very catchy. The music vid for this song was also groundbreaking for hip hop.
Q Tip and Phife go back an forth and display the great chemistry they have over a smooth jazzy baseline and a "boom thack" sounding beat.
The refrain on the chorus is very catchy. The music vid for this song was also groundbreaking for hip hop.
Track 3:Rap Promoter(8.5/10)
Q Tip is the sole MC featured on this track. He talks about the monetization of rap music and warns rappers to be aware of the shady tactics used to record labels to scam money. Q Tip's voice beautifully compliments the mellow instrumental.
Q Tip is the sole MC featured on this track. He talks about the monetization of rap music and warns rappers to be aware of the shady tactics used to record labels to scam money. Q Tip's voice beautifully compliments the mellow instrumental.
Track 4: Butter(9.5/10)
Phife Dawg talks about his relationship struggles in High School. He says good girls are hard to find and has a problem distinguishing true love from getting played. Q Tip is on the hook. The production on the track is minimilistic.
Phife Dawg talks about his relationship struggles in High School. He says good girls are hard to find and has a problem distinguishing true love from getting played. Q Tip is on the hook. The production on the track is minimilistic.
Track 5: Verses from the Abstract(9/10)
Q Tip is the sole MC on the track. The hook includes Q Tip as well as background vocals by Vinia Mojica.
Q Tip displays his skills as an MC by his unorthodox and smooth flow. He shouts out prominent rappers during the time in the song.
Q Tip is the sole MC on the track. The hook includes Q Tip as well as background vocals by Vinia Mojica.
Q Tip displays his skills as an MC by his unorthodox and smooth flow. He shouts out prominent rappers during the time in the song.
Track 6: Show Business(ft. Lord Jamar,Sadat X,Diamond D)(10/10)
This is personally my fav track on the whole album. The beat is upbeat and all the MCs spit brilliant verses and bring much needed energy to the album. They talk about details and personal experiences in the business
This is personally my fav track on the whole album. The beat is upbeat and all the MCs spit brilliant verses and bring much needed energy to the album. They talk about details and personal experiences in the business
Track 7:Vibes and Stuff(9/10)
This track has more of a laid back, lowkey vibe. Q Tip sends prayers to artists taht had recently passed including MC Trouble, Trouble T Roy and Scott La Rock. Q Tip also compares himself to a "Midnight Marauder" which is the name of their next album
This track has more of a laid back, lowkey vibe. Q Tip sends prayers to artists taht had recently passed including MC Trouble, Trouble T Roy and Scott La Rock. Q Tip also compares himself to a "Midnight Marauder" which is the name of their next album
Track 8:Infamous Date Rape(8/10)
Tribe covers the major issue of date rape occuring during that time. Both MCs paint vivid pictures of a date rape situation.
Tribe covers the major issue of date rape occuring during that time. Both MCs paint vivid pictures of a date rape situation.
Track 9: Check The Rhime(10/10)
One of the most quintessential Tribe songs. The instrumental is stellar and Q Tip and Phife go back and forth on the track. Phife Dawg really steals the show with extremely strong verses.
One of the most quintessential Tribe songs. The instrumental is stellar and Q Tip and Phife go back and forth on the track. Phife Dawg really steals the show with extremely strong verses.
Track 10: Everything is Fair(8/10)
This song includes a social commentary about crime and survival in New York City. There was a huge west coast, east coast rivalry at that time but Tribe appealed to both the coasts as they talked about real issues that everyone could relate to
This song includes a social commentary about crime and survival in New York City. There was a huge west coast, east coast rivalry at that time but Tribe appealed to both the coasts as they talked about real issues that everyone could relate to
Track 11: Jazz(We've Got)(9/10)
Q Tip and Phife both have solid verses on the track. The production features a mellow,soulful beat and a haunting piano loop.
Q Tip and Phife both have solid verses on the track. The production features a mellow,soulful beat and a haunting piano loop.
Track 12: Skypager(10/10)
One of the best instrumentals of the album. The beat samples Ron Carter's bass playing from Eric Dolphy's "17 West". Q Tip and Phife talk about the importance of skypagers and deliver very strong verses.
One of the best instrumentals of the album. The beat samples Ron Carter's bass playing from Eric Dolphy's "17 West". Q Tip and Phife talk about the importance of skypagers and deliver very strong verses.
Track 13: What?(10/10)
This is a short song consisting of one verse by Q Tip. Q Tip asks a series of rhetorical questions over an unorthodox beat. I personally love this song.
This is a short song consisting of one verse by Q Tip. Q Tip asks a series of rhetorical questions over an unorthodox beat. I personally love this song.
Track 14: Scenario(ft
Leaders of the New School)
The album ends just as good as it started. All the MCs deliver outstanding verses and the chemistry is unreal. Busta Rhymes finishes the album with a top 10 feature verse in hip hop history.
Leaders of the New School)
The album ends just as good as it started. All the MCs deliver outstanding verses and the chemistry is unreal. Busta Rhymes finishes the album with a top 10 feature verse in hip hop history.
Final Thoughts:
Overall Score:10/10
Discography Ranking: 1st
Fav Tracks: Excursions,Show Business, Check The Rhime, Skypager,What? , Scenario
Skips: No skips
Brilliant production and rapping throughout the album
Overall Score:10/10
Discography Ranking: 1st
Fav Tracks: Excursions,Show Business, Check The Rhime, Skypager,What? , Scenario
Skips: No skips
Brilliant production and rapping throughout the album
This album is definitely classic and is a blueprint of jazz rap that many groups such as the Roots,Outkast have been inspired by and tried to follow.
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