The Low End Theory

One of my favorite hip hop albums. They perfect their style here, with no second feeling wasted. They get straight to the point, with one song immediately getting to the action and leading straight to the next. It's harder to find a more consistent album. I felt excited for every song with tons of highlights that stand out as some of the most iconic songs hip hop has to offer. The jazz samples and beats sound incredible, deep and dark, distinctive from what everyone else was doing. It sounds really cool on top of Q-Tip's and the others' raps. Q-Tip is by far my favorite rapper. He's funny and conscious, clear and precise. His flow is smooth and aligns with the samples. I'm obsessed with his cool voice. But the other rappers aren't bad either. They contribute to a vibrant and lively vibe, and several of them give a passionate performance without coming off as too grating.

Goat

Liked this album back in the day, love it now.

Pretty different from what I am used to listen, I also really like the production on this album!

Best: Jazz (We’ve Got) Worst: Skypager people gotta stick their nose in the business

All time great hip hop album, an absolute masterpiece

Just absolutely amazing hip-hop.

One of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. From the first subdued seconds of "Excursions", with its iconic basslines, to the blast of "Scenario", here's a record that ages like fine wine--the sort of jazzy rap album that even foretells Kendrick Lamar's forays into similar subgenres decades after the fact. Other reviews in here just perfectly encapsulated how essential this album is. Just to give you one example, "(We've got) Jazz" is proof that this record looks into the past while being of its time, and yet can still be considered timeless. And almost each track from this masterpiece shows those sorts of assets. As I'm writing this short assessment on my phone, a friend of mine just looked over my shoulder and said: "Oh this is *The Low End Theory*, by A Tribe Called Quest, right?". It just took him two seconds to recognize the cover. This is how iconic this album is for a whole generation (and hopefully, for many others to come). Number of albums left to review: 655 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 173 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 82 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 96

Så jävla bra

One of the best albums there is!

A Tribe Called Quest, and Q-Tip in particular, really paved way for a new era of hip hop with The Low End Theory blasting it’s way into the 90’s. The beats are kept to a jazzy minimal with Q-Tip and Phife Dawg providing almost flawless lyrical performances one after another. When it comes to hip hop, Quest truly is something else.

I was but a small child when this was released (9 to be precise) and really would have only heard this from the environment around me. In discovering Tribe in college, I spent more times with Midnight Marauders than this one, but always thought this was a classic. Nowadays, I think it is a matter of my mood as to which one I prefer. Regardless, a classic album without really any weak points. An album that's certainly among my 20 favorite hip-hop albums of all time, this is an easy one to score and rate.

A classic. No notes.

One of my all time favorite hip hop albums. I don't know if it was the first, but it was the first one I noticed a real Jazz influence in. This was the peak of golden age beats and lyrical invention.

FUNKY, FRESH, and an absolute CLASSIC. Happy to listen through this album again, it's good vibes every time. Rest in peace Phife, modern day masterpiece.

Love them

The low key beats, the flows, the whole package. What more do you want?

Back in the days on the boulevard of Linden We used to kick routines and presence was fittin' It was I, The Abstract And me the five footer I kicks the mad style so step off the frankfurter Yo, Phife, you remember that routine That we used to make spiffy like Mr. Clean? Um, um, a tidbit, um, a smidgen I don't get the message so you gots to run the pigeon One of the best. Rhymes like literally no one else has ever produced and the purest east coast hip hop that the 90s ever had. 5/5

So good

I've listened to this album enough to know it's a five-star. It speaks for itself. RIP PHIFE DAWG. 5/5.

I’ve never been the biggest hip hop fan, but Tribe has always held a special spot for me. So good.

Very cool, very smooth. Clever lyrics and a great vibe. Not too many standout songs, but you can jump into any part of this album and you will enjoy it. The only criticism I have is that it can be a little repetitive in parts. 4.5 stars

Never heard a full album from Tribe Called Quest. I loved it

Funky and jazzy early 90s hip-hop. Very enjoyable.

An incredible melding of hip-hop and jazz, each track flowing seamlessly into another. A Tribe Called Quest adeptly make social commentary both fun and funny.

Eu ouvi The Follow End Theory quando era bem mais novo. E é incrível ouvir de novo.

These Jazz sonorities really are hitting hard. The Bass is so groovy this really puts you in the mood. The flow is also super catchy. The prods tend to be on the minimalist side though and yet they manage to be efficient. The voice is really used an extra instrument which gives a nice result. This is a vibe from start to end. Listening in one go might be a bit repetitive but I guess this is a bit symptomatic of the boom bap prods. 4.5 / 5

Hehe 5/5

I'd heard of TCQ but never given em a go, really enjoyed the album.

Easy to listen to as an intro the style/genre. Definitely needs another listen or 3 for the lyrics to really hit home.

Another one of my favourite albums, and one of the best hip hop albums ever in my opinion. The instrumentals and samples throughout this album are flawless, particularly the bass and drums. Love the live jazz feel! The rapping is great also, and has a lot of variety between Q-Tip and Phife Dawg sharing tracks, and also the several guests featuring here and there. There are a few lyrics that haven't aged well, but not as many as other albums from the same era. The "gold digger" trope rears its head a bit in a few songs, and "Infamous Date Rape" starts off very well but loses its way a bit towards the end. Maybe men weren't really ready to talk about menstruation in 1991? At least they tried, I guess. On another note, "Skypager" aged poorly in an amusing way. Kids listening today probably have no idea what's going on with that track. Overall though, there's fantastic songs all over this album, and it's both relaxing and fun to listen to. In my opinion it's the best hip hop album from this scene, and it's interesting to follow this branch of the hip hop tree as it grew throughout the 90s and 00s.

Loved it

Great Album

HOT DIGGITY DAWG! THIS ALBUM IS HOTTT!! These guys just got the flow, their rhymes and the beat oh my. The rhythm is bumping and the lyrics go hard. The album cover is dope too. So good. 55/5

Not no Parkay Not no margarin Strictly butter Strictly butter

Absolute classic hip-hop album. Their bears are next level.

Didn't really get TCQ before. this is a great album. pity wasn't more mainstream and drive the direction of hip-hop in the 90's

one of my favorite old-school hip-hop albums and I think it’s safe to say A Tribe Called Quest is my favorite old-school rap group (Lauryn Hill is my favorite old-school solo rapper) just an amazing album so much to appreciate here too good to rate

10/10, best rap album of all time

Banging. So good. One of my fave hip hop records

Very good! 👍

What is there to say about LET that hasn't already been said. Foundational hip hop. Smooth, soulful, insightful- eminently groovable from top to bottom. Worst thing you could say about it is that maybe some bits and pieces lyrically have not aged well- but I don't think that's worth nitpicking over in the face of the rest of it. Phife and Tip were kings of the craft.

MOTHER FUCKING TRIBE I've heard this a thousand times over and will listen a thousand times again. The most influential hip hop album of all time and for good reason. 5/5

My first true love. Where it all began for me.

A Tribe Called Quest has a very smooth style of rapping. I often don't listen to the lyrics and focus more on the flow, which makes their music good for background music imo. The songs cut off super quick at the end, making it hard to discern the end of one song and the start of another. Favorite song: Butter Worst song: Scenario or What

So good! A true hip-hop classic.

A classic. Very good addition here. Happy to have been nudged to listen to it again.

I sport New Balance sneakers to avoid a narrow path

What can I say that hasn't been said about this album? One of my favs from this era, probably my favorite A Tribe Called Quest release, and I love pretty much everything The Native Tongues collective did during this period. It made me want to listen to more from the time and I'm still angry none of De La Soul's early work is on Spotify.

One of my all-time favorites!

one of the best rap albums oat

Just a great vibin' album

Rating: 9/10 Best songs: Buggin’ out, butter, Verses from the abstract, Check the rhime, Everything is fair, What?, Scenario

Loved this; has and rap go so well together. Amazing sophomore album for Tribe

A must-listen, often replayed.

What a great album. I haven't heard a bad album from A Tribe Called Quest. Every song is good and my favorite song "Scenario" they've saved for last. Give it a listen!

When this album came up on the generator, I knew what rating I had to give it. A quintessential classic in the hip-hop genre and a all time classic album of the 90s. Being introduced to this record all those years ago whilst confused about my musical tips (hehe) was the push I needed to not only get into hip-hop but into jazz as well, as Tribe's cutting up, sampling and incorporating of various jazz legends (Ron Carter is on the bass!) does more than the work necessary and required for the album. From the 91 decade to the 2000 decade and beyond, The Low End Theory remains a significant part of the Tribe lore and one of the greatest albums of all time.

Absolute genius, from a band who knew for sure who and what they were.

Really enjoyed the easy flow of the music

La producción, los beats y los flows son irrepetibles. Un álbum sin un solo skip.

Really chill. I loved it.

5.0 + There are hip hop records I like better but none that brings the flow, bars, beats and bangers with such consistency. This is a record that's equally effective in the front-and-center as it is in the background. There's not a single bum rhyme or questionable moment on this record. I love the nods to jazz legends that make this heady, sophisticated fun.

J’adore cet album. Je pourrais écouter Q-tip pendant des heures, son flow est tellement naturel. Cette formation utilise aussi beaucoup de sample de jazz, en plus d’engager Ron Carter pour jouer la contrebasse sur une pièce. Ça, ça me rend heureux. Finalement, les sujets abordés sur l’album sont intelligents et exempts de violence gratuite ou de propos sexistes.

Un classique que j'ai découvert tellement trop tard, grâce à la série Hip Hop Evolution sur Netflix. J'écoute régulièrement cet album qui est brillant et tellement bien fait. Mon meilleur du groupe.

Ok some hip hop. I have heard this album front to back many times and it's a classic. Giving it another spin. What a banger album. I gotta find this one on vinyl too. Just makes you want to nod your head. 5/5

Качественно

One of my all time favorite hip hop albums. This is one of the albums I always tell people to listen to when they’re starting out with the genre. 5/5 Tribe is one of my personal favorite hip hop groups of all time Favorites: Buggin Out, Check The Rhime, and Scenario

I listened to it five times in two days. What a revelation! Undeniably booty-shaking. (Prior rating)

I'm hard pressed to think of a more perfect hip-hop album. The flows and wordplays are sublime. The subject matter of the tracks covers a range of substantial topics with a perfect balance of seriousness and humor. The backing tracks are a genius fusion of jazz, break loops and samples and an art form unto themselves, which have influenced countless artists and genres since. An absolute gem!

Classic beats, with a twinge of jazz and funk. Classic rhymes and bars from tip and phife. Check the Rhine is top 10 rap songs of all time and there are amazing features from an upcoming Busta Rhymes, and honestly this album is a easy 5. If your not into stripped down rap though this might not be your thing.

Absolute MASTERPIECE. Oh boy. This is one of the most breakneck, flawlessly funky rap albums ever. I'm convinced "Scenario" is the most fun I'll ever have listening to a rap song. "Everything Is Fair" is also a highlight, and features one of the MANY heart-stoppingly infectious samples/instrumentals on this album. Perfect!

Dang, these guys can rip! I’ve actually heard a number of these songs before but have never heard of the band before. Great album.

Un classique découvert tard pour moi. C'est intelligent, Jazzy et ça groove. J'ai écouté en boucle et j'y reviens souvent. Mon meilleur du groupe.

THE GOAT. Electric. Groundbreaking.

n tem o q fazer

This album is so ridiculously good. The writing is witty, the production is innovative, just fantastic

I may not be too well-versed in hip-hop but I know that this album rules.

YES YES YES YES YES!!! Perfect album

Best rap album ever. Easily just listen to Buggin' Out.

Even though this does not have the wow factor that most of my 5 star albums have, the album as a whole has such a nice flow to it. It has a very clear jazz influence, sounds funky with very cool bass lines, and the delivery of the lyrics is flawless.

Maravilloso

Amazing album.. Hip hop at it's finest.

Love me some Tribe Called Quest. MmmmmMmmm

CLASSIC

The ingenuity it took to make beats and adding samples in early hip hop is a great example of my favorite kind of art. I don't know if there is a word for it or not, but the type of art made by people who just want to make art no matter what. They may not be classically trained in music or painting, so they create their own style, they use whatever they have around them or can figure out. Almost like the spirit of the piece is so powerful it will find its way out even if the artist doesn't have a traditional set of skills.

Listened twice through on a flight to Sydney - perfectly suited to the occasion.

lo AMÉ literalmente uno de los mejores álbumes que me ha salido acá en un tiempo. me tuvo todo el tiempo que duró cantando y vibrando aunque no conocía ni un tema, 10/10

A great rap album. 9/10.

Hip hop gold - simple but very effective

A veryold favourite

Smooth hip hop that still stands up decades later. Timeless

Coming from one of the most influential hip hop groups of all time, this album is at the very least a top ten hip hop album of all time. Along with De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest invented the acid jazz sound.

In terms of rap music, as a whole, I genuinely don't think it gets much better than this. A step up from their debut, the beats are just as fresh as the day this came out. The rhymes are great, lyrics great. Thirty years later, and it's still amazing. "Check the Rhime" is still one of the best rap songs ever released. Favorite tracks: "Check the Rhime", "Buggin' Out", "Jazz (We've Got)"

I just might have found my favorite hip hop album. And no it's not only because it's 48 minutes long with short, succinct songs ... I love the vibe they create with their jazzy samples. And the rapping is intelligent and creative and I don't think I heard the word nigga or bitch ot even once. Great creative al bum that I loved from beginning to end 5 🌟

Smooth beats and great flows. Stellar showing from Special Ed and Q-Tip on this timeless release.

This album bumps

Maybe the best album by a band with mostly great albums

Smoothest beats of all time. A timeless classic.

Always fun to get an album on here that you're familiar with. I love this album and their sound/style. Favourite songs: Excursions, Verses from the Abstract, Show Business, Check the Rhime

This album renewed my faith in rap music and made me start exploring true artists instead of pop rap.

Perfect rap album. Phife’s voice is incredible. Rhymes come at you fast. Have to work hard to catch all their lines. Super analog sound. When I think hip hop/rap, this is the sound I think of in my head.

Brilliance. 90s rap at it's purest! You can find the abstract listenin to hip hop. 5 stars listen to this one a lot!

An absolute classic. I listened to this album years ago, but I don't know if I ever heard it front to back. I don't know what I was thinking, because every track is fire.

8th November 2021 Listened on the living room speaker while working, chilled one. Love it, as ever, 80s/90s rap is the best.

A classic. A legend. I'm not cool enough for this album.

No notes needed

Probably one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time.

Badass

Class, know this one well. Already had an older Tribe album. This is sick though, a classic. Not even started listening and know it's gonna be a 5. Yeh, 5, easy.

classic!

Old schull good shit

Flat-out classic album. Six stars.

Chance el mejor disco de rap de la historia.

The jazz influence on this album really amazed me the first time I heard it. Some excellent lyrics as well, and I really love the delivery. Unrelated to the music, but I also love the album cover.

I've heard this before but one of the easiest 5s on the list. Such a good and important rap album

Nothing needs to be said

“Bust a nut inside your eye to show you where I come from” …cmon now

a classic

I listened to it five times in two days. What a revelation! Undeniably booty-shaking.

Awesome 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

old school hip hop honestly all bangers

One of the best rap albums of all time, and one of the best albums regardless of genre. Just so good.

Old school 90s rap viiiiiiibes! Wholesome <3

Smooth flow. Game changing beats. Very relaxed and an incredible play off each others' strengths. All 3 voices flow so smoothly. As they say: "We got the vibe"

This album just blew me away. The production is phenomenal and is the perfect complement to the incredible, complex rapping. I think this is probably the best thing I've heard while doing this so far.

Just classic

This is a group I’ve always wanted to get into so I was excited to dive into this one today. This album is so awesome from beginning to end! Love the combination of jazz and hip-hop with intelligent lyrics. Wish I’d discovered this sooner.

Best tracks: Check The Rhime, Buggin’ Out, Verses From The Abstract, What?

The best

Always good.

Tribe called quest is legend.

Good one

This is great. Considered a 4 star as I didn't think there were any standout tracks but that's only because they are all great

So gooood. Groovy rhythms.

Excellent hip hop, fun rhyme schemes and superb flow

What a surprise! I loved it!

Sehr geil

Very good jazz hip funk shit

Listened to it 10 times loved it

Very nice finding! I loved it!

One of my favorite rap albums ever, and my favorite by ATCQ. About as close to a perfect rap album as you can get. I love ATCQ.

All day Phife and Tip. 5 foot Cypher and the Abstract. Love love love the Young Zulu Nation.

Rhythm and jazz and hip-hop with such distinct world-view and atmosphere--really, really, really good.

Near perfect.

Full of bangerz

This was epic!! I LOVED it!! Great great hip hop album!! Will most definitely listen to this again and again!!

Despite being the least favourite of the Native Tongues, still a classic in rotation.

One of the best rap albums of all time.

Just a powerhouse album, beats too good and rhymes masterful

Probably one of my top rap albums of all time, there are so many great songs on this. The vibe on this album is essentially the best overall.

A tribe called quest is awesome. Early '90s backpack rap always makes me nod my head.

A band I really need to listen to more. Hooks you within seconds.

Fitting that I got this album on MLK day. Definitely one I'd listen to again.

So much flow and creative. Midnight Marauders is also cool.

Nice. Funky rap.

I don’t know why I’ve never listened to this before. Awesome stuff

Effing loved it

Classic 90s hip-hop, top 10 hip-hop album of all time

one of the best hiphop/jazz rap records of all time.

All time classic from the legendary Tribe.

Classic cerebral rap. Best track: Scenario

Even better than the first album. I can feel the jazz influence

Love the story telling and the consistent groove

Feels like clean sheets, shaved legs, and a water bottle with ice water.

I did not think I'd enjoy it as much as I did. Some of the best hip hop beats I've ever heard. I liked the Maryland call out in Vibes and Stuff and North Cakalacky in Scenario.

I actually can't believe I hadn't listened to this album in full before. I loved it, its exactly the kind of music I could listen to whenever, and it reminded me of Xavier which was sweet!

Dope.

Tribe tickles a lot of my spots. A fair amount of the flow has not aged super well, but the production has held up for sure. A bunch of good tracks on this one including Check the Rhime, Vibes and Stuff, and Scenario.

sick

Primera vez que escucho Hip Hop, y muy bueno! Fresco

An amazing album with great flow and incredible funk. I really enjoyed What? and Show Business

Actually listened to this one a few months ago, which is rare for me. It seems these hip hop albums follow a pattern of sounding great, but a lot of the songs just sound too similar to each other and they're not something I'd come back to.

There's something kinda quaint about how these early entries in rap and hip-hop compare to today's vulgar and heavily auto-tuned music from the same genre. Ground-breaking, smart, catchy as all hell. This whisked me right back to my teenage years.

Honestly I was gonna skip this album because my abusive ex’s favorite artists was a Tribe Called Quest but fuck that guy, this music is amazing idc. Very buttery album I love it.

It's jazzy, it's fresh, it's solid.

Just a classic old school hip hop album. One of the best, and a cornerstone to the hip hop I love. The sound is smooth, cool, and infectious, the lyrics are thoughtful and full of soul. I have and will continue to listen to this album over and over again.

One of those albums that sounds effortlessly cool. The jazzy beats, smooth flow and laid-back vibe just work from start to finish. A timeless hip-hop classic.

you’ll always find me giving every black artist a high rate bc why are they so good at everything

I like this one better than the debit. It's classic for a reason

#376 I’ve always liked Q-Tip but that’s usually come via well known Tribe songs and Chemical Brothers collaborations, and of course, there is one song very much in vogue right now. Of course, he’s not the only rapper but he’s always been the most notable to me. It has been good to dive a little deeper into their albums, both of which I have got on well with but a quick check and realise I only gave their debut 3 stars and wonder if I’ve been a tad harsh. Anyway, this must have landed better but I’ll revisit both. Heard before? ❌ Would I revisit? ✅ Listen before you die? ✅ Fave track(s): Vibes and Stuff; Scenario Rating: 8/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Shout out to Scott Skiles for being immortalized in hip hop history. This is one of those records where I wish this site gave half stars. A very strong 4.

I really loved this. I’ve heard about Quest for a long time and this was my first experience listening to an album in full. It was exhausting trying to follow the lyrics but worth it.

Bought this recent enough, very cool album. Solid, great beats and rhymes, might be too laidback sometime, but overall a classic. 4 Heard before? Yes Owned: Yes, 92/345 (26%) Will I get: Already have

Great album

It's a really really good hip-hop album but there is not much variety. I gave all the songs a 4.

*guy who's only listened to MF Doom* Getting real MF Doom vibes from this

Amazing rap album, A Tribe Called Quest never misses. I’ve listen to songs on the album but the is the first full listen. Scenario is the highlight of the album for me!

As much as I praise this album for being so lowkey and laid back without coming off lazy, I don't think people should ignore the problematic track 8. I feel like this song doesn't lay down it's motivates well enough thus making it seem very predatory and insensitive. In case you didn't know there is also original lines for Show Business which were also very controversial and homophobic but thankfully the label rejected that song and made them rewrite their lines. You can still find the demo online and I highly suggest you check it out to educate yourself on the controversial recording of this project. While yes I very much love this album it does really hurt to say that Track 8 really holds this down from being something I consider excellent.

Gran hip-hop y jazz álbum de Quest, sobretodo las letras y storytelling es sumamente enriquecedor de escuchar atentamente, hay cosas que no entiendo, sea por contexto, historia, etc. Fuera de eso, es un álbum bastante disfrutable e histórico. Escurridizo, misterioso, discreto y directo.

Simple beats yet effective classic songs and a good time

Groovy.

Haven't listened to this since middle school. Lots of bangers

Man this was such a great 90s hip hop album. So many good beats and tracks, and the flows were great too.

Already had listened to but not in a while so fun listen

Great hip hop album! I can't believe I haven't heard this before, but it's right up my alley. Has a very Jurassic 5, early Black Eyed Peas feel to it; it's great!

WOW

was my one and a halfth time around with this one. absolute banger. perfect go-to album in time of emergency. captivates you from the beginning to the very end. very good very cool. at least 8.5/10

Prime rib of OG rap

It’s like butta baby. Good beats, very chill. Same vibe as Q-Tip that I listened to yesterday, but 90’s style. (4)

Very good. I like this type of boom bap and jazz influenced rap. Only marking down a star as it was a tad samey but still great

Okay, I love Tribe very much, and while I adore the sound and composition in this all-time record, I can't give it a perfect score. Usually, Tribe is super respectful and progressive, but this one ain't great to women. Tracks like butter, infamous date rape and what? feature some low-key misogynistic lyrics. I want to give this 5 stars, but I just can't. 8/10

Goat unc rap

A beautiful period in music history. Crackling jazzy samples and people pushing into new territory. Scratches an itch the brain.

for me its kinda boring. just boom bap, just rap, nothing else. prolly ts album is important for hiphop history but its gave me nothing new. And lyrics not resonate with me either

High 4, such an easy listen.

I liked the vibe of old school hip Hop and mix of Genres with jazz and funk

classic. funky beats

great instrumentals

Beats too good it made my fall in love with the abstract. Much bigger fan of this compared to where rap is at today

Great album, my kind of hip hop

goated

Пьяное ожидание жирного бургера. С первого вступления и басового проигрыша, ты понимаешь тебя ждёт что-то цепляющие. Я никогда не слышал настолько четкого и структурированного фристайла - вообще ни в одном треке не чувствуется выжимка или натянутость. Все согласовано все легко и свободно. Не покидает ощущение какого-то опьянения или сонливости, но при этом наполненность энергией до краев. В конце прослушивания я ушел в свои не очень позитивные мысли и на удивление альбом показал себя утвердительным, утешительным и что самое интересное - благосклонным к будущему. Обязательно нужно отдельно выделить подход к выступлениям - они настолько продуманы что кажутся идеальными, а в треках вас ждёт множество умопомрачительных пауз, которые придают всему альбому нужный антураж и движение. Этому альбому ставлю 7,5/10, неожиданная даже для меня оценка, с учётом описания, мне показалось что как альбом его нужно было сделать немного короче на пару песен, потому что как бы хорош не был подход - к концу альбома притирается.

Fun album- old school radio rules!

Não conhecia, mas gostei. Bem jazzy

Interessante

A trule great old school hop hip album, innovative, Q-Tip flow is smooth.

Got to be a little samey, but a good listen

unbelievable album, love the vibe and the low bass

8/10

They weren’t lying about the low end

Undeniably a rap classic, and the album that put jazz rap on the map. The beats and the flows on this album are, in general, insane. I say in general because I think the first half is a bit weaker than the second one. Still very good, and has "Excursions", which is one of my favourite tracks, but I believe that the latter half is way more packed. The album itself I would say it is very straight forward, but also incredibly well done. The beats are not very busy yet incredibly infectious and super smooth, specially the ones where the double bass is more predominant. The vocal delivery is also on point, mixing very well with the beats. As one of the songs says, they flow is basically like butter. In addition, there are also some bars that go incredibly hard, and some really interesting lyrics and storytelling, like in the already mentioned "Excursions", "Butter" and "Check the Rhime". Another thing I want to point out is, despite of the sound being very chill, there are some tense moments as well. While not incredibly intense, still noticeable compared to the smoothest parts. So in the end, a great album. I wish some of the songs in the first half hit as hard as everything from "Check the Rhime" to "Scenario", but it is a great and fun experience nonetheless.

Iconic bassline starts. Q-Tip seems to have hyperrhythm somehow when he raps, like more rhythm than rhythm. And I like their little stories and nonsensical observations, and surprise references to things like chemical compounds and Ralph Kramden. And Busta is here! Overall, this is fun :)

😎🆒👟🎧🔮

I like Tribe. I like their flow and lyrics. The mixed vocals helps add variety.

pretty peak

isk vatra, za sad samo dve pesme al je opusteno i zanimljivo u isto vreme rap i jazz? u isto vreme

My fourth or fifth time trying to listen to this and it finally clicked! It bounced all over my cab and I fell in love with it! What I don’t understand is the hip hop and rap types aiming most of their music about sex, but this worked and I was bobbing along. The production was on point, I can only imagine how many layers there is to putting this album together. One thing that gave it a bonus over other albums like this on the list is the ability to showcase their talents without having to do those stupid intros every few songs so that was nice. Best track- I absolutely loved the blatant not caring what anybody thought about what they were writing and rapping about in ‘infamous date rape’ Worst track- ‘skypager’ I didn’t need to hear a pager noise in a track 😂 Surprised myself here but 9/10

I know this is an iconic album, but it’s just not quite five stars for me, more out of personal taste than anything. Clearly great rappers, can’t fault them there even if the lyrics don’t always connect with me, and I did enjoy it. Most of my gripes with this are down to genre preference, and my ratings are based on my feelings not technical analysis.

historically never cared much for tribe called quest. but it’s working for me today. didn’t feel nearly as corny this time.

#144/1001 🇬🇧 This is an album that i regularly see propped up on display on the shelves of record collectors. Its genuinely my first listen and first impressions are stripped back beats, jazzy samples and great lyrics. Best tracks: Jazz (We've Got), Excursions, Bugging Out.

Overall: 8/10 There was a lot of jazzy stuff going on with the first Quest album, but this one goes all in on the jazz rap concept and they absolutely kill it. The flow is always on point and while the lyrical content isn't perfect, it's always interesting. I think I like this one slightly more than the first album. Fav Song: Jazz (We've Got)

bamger

groovy

Intelligent and interesting. I need to slow down and listen.

*Solid hip hop album but like the genre for me, it can get similar sounding at times.

1001 albums, ya don't stop

A real triumph and cornerstone of hip-hop. The seamless combination of jazz samples, dope baselines and great lyrics make this a fantastic album. In comparison to Run-DMC’s Raising Hell party sound, this is the kind of hip-hop you want to sit and listen to. 4/5

Favorite track: Scenario

the epitome of 90s hip hop. I liked it!

Diferente de todo rap que ja escutei. Foi uma boa surpresa. 4/5

I really enjoyed this one.

Enjoyable, chill

Какой-то реп и баста раймс

Very nice groove. This is the sound that brings me back to my decade

The early '90's might just be the best era of hip hop. Tribe really sets the bar for that. As a middle aged white guy, I definitely don't relate to the content, but I sure as hell love the grooves.

Fun and nostalgic

Good time fun listen through out but not my usual choice for hip hop, good to lay back to though I'll definitely chuck a few songs on a playlist for relaxed listening.

4/5

The last time we reviewed A Tribe Called Quest it was their debut record, now a few hundred albums later we’re reviewing their second record. I enjoyed the instrumental side of the first record, the beats and production are all excellent. That continues to be true on this second album. My main complaint on the first record was the large amount of, in my eyes, shallow and predictable lyrics. I have to say I’m pleasantly surprised by this record in comparison. The lyricism feels sharper, less predictable, and the flow is, to my ear, significantly smoother. I enjoyed this record quite a bit, still nowhere near my favourite hip-hop record, but I wouldn’t mind if someone put this on in the car. 3.5*

As someone who doesn’t listen to hiphop music often this album is still great and amazing just to have in the background to relax and do whatever you need too

Not my thing

До кінця альбому стало наче трохи гірше, ніж на початку, але все ще дуже добре

classic 90’s

Groovy, but not jazzy

Lepší straana rapu, ne pro me, ale dobry viby.

Maybe I actually like rap?

yessssss!! Briks favorite album of allll time

Back when this came out I was mostly just exposed to 'gangsta rap' and I figured I just didn't really care too much for rap. I wonder if I had heard this back then if it would have given me a greater appreciation for the genre and set my life in a different course. At either rate, I didn't find this until a few years ago, and I really dig it. I also like to set off a 'radio station' based on this album. Good stuff.

The album where Tribe came into their own. The big change from their debut is the even split of verses between Q Tip and Phife Dawg, and the two MCs are perfect compliments to each other, both vocally and lyrically. Phife's fun and brash persona is the perfect counterpart for Tip's measured approach. There are tons of quotables on this, especially on "Buggin' Out," and "Scenario" is one of the best posse cuts ever. The beats are chill and perfect for a summer day. If I have one complaint with the album it's that the beats get a bit too similar after a while. They're pretty far from what I think of as jazz rap now, being very bass heavy. When horns show up, like on "Butter" and "Check the Rhime," they massively elevate things.

Such a vibe. Ideal album to hear while driving.

Very good 👌

Awesome.

Pretty good

Good album. I’m becoming a fan for sure. Good file, nice use of jazz samples.

Have I listened to this album before? No How familiar am I with this album? I know scenario How do I feel about this artist? I don’t listen to a lot of hip-hop but I find Tribe very fun. This is one of the groups that I’ve been looking forward exploring with this generator. First impressions: I think this will be a fun album. I like Tribe’s overall style in the songs that I know. The album art is fun. Favorite track(s): Scenario, Show Business Overall Thoughts: A fun Monday with A Tribe Called Quest. I never connect much to the lyrics and hip-hop, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the beats. I like the way they blend elements of jazz. Super fun album that I can tell influenced a lot to follow.

old school funk hip hop, buen ritmo, buenas rimas, unos avanzados. tiene buen mood en general, no es superb, pero se deja escuchar muy bien, 4/5 porque son legacy

Would be perfect but Infamous Date Rape is on here, I know Tribe aren't advocating for date rape, but the sex jokes in a song with that theme flies in the face of otherwise conscious credentials

Well known album but did you know this album released the same day as Nirvana's Nevermind and RHCP Blood Sugar Sex Magik?

Reminds me so much of Hamilton the musical? Its all i could think of while listening 😭 but love it so far, did some digging and found the cultural significance, its an easz listen, would love to give it more time and attention to read up on lyrics etc

Rap and nice beats. I enjoyed listening to the whole thing

I’ve listened to this album 1,000 times and it hits every. single. time. The beats are absolutely amazing and Q-Tip and Phife Dawg are ridiculous lyricists. They never get overly excited when on the mic and deliver hard hitting rhymes like they work at Fed Ex. Their song topics are contemporary and they shout out a million different artists from the industry from song to song. This is as close to a “5” without being a “5” as it gets.

Such a good rap album omg Lives the crew and what everyone bring to the songs

Vibey

Listened to this twice. A great hip-hop album with elements of jazz. I thoroughly enjoyed it with a few notable songs. would absolutely listen to this again and would like to discover more. Check the Rhime or butter was maybe my standout. 4 stars

JAZZ 90S HIPHOP

It can get a little monotonous at times. But overall a very jazzy, smooth, and cool listen. Likes: Excursions; Buggin Out; Butter; Verses From The Abstract; Check The Rhime; Everything Is Fair; Jazz (We’ve Got)

Smooth like butter 91 was a great year in hip hop - everything from Ice T at his most O.G to Mantronix. “The low end theory” might have gone unnoticed with its blend of jazz and hip and slower pace eschewing money and hoes for musically and lyrically interesting songs.

I’ve tried Tribe before, but found them a bit samey. On listening, the lyrics are really good. With a good variety of social themes

Listened on 1st February 2025. Favourite song is Jazz (We've Got).

Really strong album, probably deserves a more critical listen but if nothing else is great to just vibe to. Might be worth a 5 tbh.

This is the real deal! Innovative and original music aligned with poetry!

I think I'm on an island here, but man i love Tribe CQ. My first car was a gold 93 Volvo a 5 cd changer in the trunk... This was in there from time to time and I could not get enough of the snare slamming on the 2 on Buggin Out. Or the horns at the VERY end of Excursions. Little moments. Q Tip cool as hell. Mostly though it's the beats. Really one of a kind sound and generally sick. Since our last review it is harder for me to ignore some of the corny raps, but I don't really care. Midnight Marauders is where they really reached their potential, hope we get there.

Ja heel goed, maar na een tijdje klinkt het wel heeel erg hetzelfde. Kan altijd maar een half album luisteren van tribe called quest

A Tribe Called Quest made some of the grooviest East Coast hiphop ever. I love jazz rap!

god zo'n heerlijk album

хороший реп мб надо послушать нормально я ща не хочу

nice hiphop . I like the lyrics . cool

Pretty basic but good overall

I love ATCQ, I think I spent more time listening to Midnight Marauders but some of their best are on this album. Phife and Q-Tip will always have a place in my playlists. Favorite track: Scenario (or Buggin Out? (or Check the Rhime?))

Rate: 9.5/10. I'M BIASED pero es que me gusta demasiado el rap y A Tribe Called Quest tienen un sonido muy particular, destilan puro maldito flow.

It's worth the listen to get to The Scenario It's worth listening to The Scenario for Busta Rhymes's verse It's worth listening to Busta Rhymes's verse for his delivery of the line "rawr rawr, like a dungeon dragon."

This album was a great listening experience. This is one of those albums that resonates well with you. Great lyrical verses, flow, and the overall vibe of the album was mellow and smooth. 8.5/10. Favorite Song: Butter

Smart and contemplative. Love the hooks and jazz vibe. Excellent production. Tribe lives up to their legend.

It reminded me of the time when I was in junior high school and listening to Schadaraparr a lot.

My first old school rap, hip hop album and it exceeded my expectations, frankly I loved it. Favourite Songs: What?, Jazz (We've Got), Verses from the Abstract, Butter, Excursions

This had me from the first bass notes on the first track. And why not, when Ron Carter is playing? This is cool, bebop influenced, laid back, minimal rap. The rhymes are witty. The beats are sublime. Jazz (We've Got) is an absolute banger, but the rest of the tracks aren't far behind. Enjoyed this a lot.

Old school of hip hop with a singular mixtapes, it's good but not spectacular

Smooth like butter

we got the jazz

Hell yeah