A Tribe Called Quest

New York

A Tribe Called Quest were without question one of the most progressive and crucial rap groups of the 1990s. Along with their brothers and sisters in the Native Tongues -- a crew that also included <a href="spotify:artist:2iclO3rlyF0YVNE46ctYRj">the Jungle Brothers</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:5m7wCUhYhBh7A3A3YMxrbt">Queen Latifah</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:1Z8ODXyhEBi3WynYw0Rya6">De La Soul</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:7dupCiguCFkYZRisA3foPu">Monie Love</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:0NnCgUxhtWt1yBtpDyvFQf">Black Sheep</a> -- Tribe struck a natural balance between ruminative and carefree lyrical content, examining personal and deep societal issues without forgetting to have a good time. Just as creative and powerful as producers, Tribe helped create new paths for hip-hop with visionary and inventive sampling from previously unutilized '60s and '70s jazz recordings, among other styles ranging from bossa nova to prog rock, and even collaborated with some of the players whose names were listed in the liner notes they scoured. The group's first five albums, highlighted by the all-platinum run of The Low End Theory (1991), Midnight Marauders (1993), and Beats, Rhymes and Life (1996), added up to one of the decade's most vital artist discographies, rap or otherwise. Six years after their 1998 split, they reconvened onstage and continued to occasionally tour into the 2010s. We Got It from Here...Thank You 4 Your Service (2016), their final LP, became their second number one album months after the death of founding member <a href="spotify:artist:5D7j3YOhscvrld2WzjSIpN">Phife Dawg</a>.  

Although it wasn't until 1988 that they became known as A Tribe Called Quest -- named by peers <a href="spotify:artist:2iclO3rlyF0YVNE46ctYRj">the Jungle Brothers</a> -- the group started to take shape three years earlier, with Queens native <a href="spotify:artist:3ZotbHeyVQKxQCPDJuQ4SU">Q-Tip</a> (born Jonathan Davis) and high school classmate <a href="spotify:artist:6adBZwsyxZuWDoty0Tg0lt">Ali Shaheed Muhammad</a> (a Brooklynite) recording demo material with pause-tape beats. The rapper/producer and DJ/producer duo eventually became a quartet with the addition of <a href="spotify:artist:3ZotbHeyVQKxQCPDJuQ4SU">Q-Tip</a>'s childhood friend <a href="spotify:artist:5D7j3YOhscvrld2WzjSIpN">Phife Dawg</a> (born Malik Taylor) and neighbor slash part-time member Jarobi (short for Jarobi White). <a href="spotify:artist:3ZotbHeyVQKxQCPDJuQ4SU">Q-Tip</a> was heard first on <a href="spotify:artist:2iclO3rlyF0YVNE46ctYRj">the Jungle Brothers</a>' 1988 album Straight Out the Jungle. The next year, he was featured <a href="spotify:artist:1Z8ODXyhEBi3WynYw0Rya6">De La Soul</a>'s "Buddy," and a version of that track, dubbed "Buddy [Native Tongue Decision]," added Phife to the mix. The recorded debut of A Tribe Called Quest followed later in 1989 with "Description of a Fool," issued on <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Jive%22">Jive</a>. (The group had recorded a demo for <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Geffen%22">Geffen</a>, but the major label balked on offering a contract.) The following April, Tribe released their first album, People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm. Much like <a href="spotify:artist:1Z8ODXyhEBi3WynYw0Rya6">De La Soul</a>, Tribe looked more to jazz as well as '70s rock for their sample base; "Can I Kick It?," which followed "I Left My Wallet in El Segundo" and "Bonita Applebum" into the Top Ten of Billboard's rap chart, plundered <a href="spotify:artist:42TFhl7WlMRXiNqzSrnzPL">Lou Reed</a>'s "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, released in September 1991 (after Jarobi's departure for culinary school), exceeded all expectations and has held up as perhaps the best hip-hop LP of all time. In addition to its rich assemblage of samples, it featured jazz legend <a href="spotify:artist:4wnzivx3OQ3vjrySAdTdJP">Ron Carter</a> on double bass for "Verses from the Abstract." Like the debut, it yielded a trio of charting singles. "Check the Rhime" topped the rap chart, and "Scenario," featuring <a href="spotify:artist:5V2urhkwH9CIcojcYnvKRg">Leaders of the New School</a> (with future solo star <a href="spotify:artist:1YfEcTuGvBQ8xSD1f53UnK">Busta Rhymes</a>), went to number six. The Low End Theory included several tracks with props to hip-hop friends, and Tribe affirmed their support of the wider rap community with their third album, Midnight Marauders. The album cover and booklet insert included the faces of over 70 hip-hop luminaries, a coast-to-coast assortment that included members of <a href="spotify:artist:1Z8ODXyhEBi3WynYw0Rya6">De La Soul</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:2iclO3rlyF0YVNE46ctYRj">the Jungle Brothers</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:03r4iKL2g2442PT9n2UKsx">Beastie Boys</a>, as well as <a href="spotify:artist:0eGh2jSWPBX5GuqIHoZJZG">Ice-T</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:4sb7rZNN93BSS6Gqgepo4v">Too $hort</a>. The LP entered the Billboard 200 at number eight, easily the group's highest placement to that point. It offered several classics, including "Award Tour," the group's sixth Top Ten rap hit, and a sound that was harder than the first two albums. During the summer of 1994, Tribe were part of the fourth Lollapalooza lineup, and the next year were comparatively quiet, apart from several production jobs for <a href="spotify:artist:3ZotbHeyVQKxQCPDJuQ4SU">Q-Tip</a>. They returned in July 1996 with their fourth LP, Beats, Rhymes and Life, which prominently featured <a href="spotify:artist:5KkgZ31b9eDwkvo9oMIrSm">Consequence</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:3ZotbHeyVQKxQCPDJuQ4SU">Q-Tip</a>'s cousin, and production associate <a href="spotify:artist:16L1SS4OancaZUTu3qWqHb">Jay Dee</a> (of <a href="spotify:artist:1020a42xVklY6c56imNcaa">Slum Village</a>), who had gained notice for his work on <a href="spotify:artist:7yk35uHNQclPXFGFoTU44w">the Pharcyde</a>'s Labcabincalifornia. The album topped the Billboard 200, was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Rap Album category, and became the group's third consecutive platinum LP. The single "1nce Again" was also up for a Grammy in the rap field. 

Before they released their next album, The Love Movement, the group announced it would be their final statement and that they were splitting up. After The Love Movement debuted at number three and earned the group their second Best Rap Album Grammy nomination, each member pursued solo projects to varying degrees of success, but the call of the group 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 <a href="spotify:artist:5K4W6rqBFWDnAN6FQUkS6x">Kanye West</a> in New York. They reunited again in November 2015 to play The Tonight Show in conjunction with the 25th anniversary reissue of People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm. 

The group's performances post-Love Movement helped pay for increasing medical expenses faced by Phife. Diagnosed with diabetes in 1990, Phife eventually needed multiple kidney transplants. In March 2016, Phife died (at the age of 45) due to complications related to the condition. Later that year, <a href="spotify:artist:3ZotbHeyVQKxQCPDJuQ4SU">Q-Tip</a> announced that the group had completed a new album. The night of their Tonight Show appearance the previous year, the group's original four members decided to put aside their differences and start recording again. Sessions were held in <a href="spotify:artist:3ZotbHeyVQKxQCPDJuQ4SU">Q-Tip</a>'s well-appointed home studio, and the group welcomed guests like <a href="spotify:artist:1YfEcTuGvBQ8xSD1f53UnK">Busta Rhymes</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:3PhoLpVuITZKcymswpck5b">Elton John</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:2YZyLoL8N0Wb9xBt1NhZWg">Kendrick Lamar</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:74V3dE1a51skRkdII8y2C6">André 3000</a> to contribute. Though Phife died before the album was finished, <a href="spotify:artist:3ZotbHeyVQKxQCPDJuQ4SU">Q-Tip</a> was able to power through and complete it. We Got It from Here...Thank You 4 Your Service was released in November 2016 and topped the Billboard 200 on its way to gold status. <a href="spotify:artist:3ZotbHeyVQKxQCPDJuQ4SU">Q-Tip</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:6adBZwsyxZuWDoty0Tg0lt">Ali Shaheed Muhammad</a> continued with assorted musical pursuits. Tribe were nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. ~ John Bush & Andy Kellman, Rovi

A Tribe Called Quest: Greatest Hits

Listen here for all the classics! Can I Kick It, Electric Relaxation, Award Tour, Scenario, Buggin Out, Jazz (We've Got) &amp; more

The late J Dilla became one of hip-hop’s most influential producers as part of The Ummah, the group that produced A Tribe Called Quest’s final albums. This playlist gathers the hottest tracks from those records.

A Tribe Called Quest - The Dilla Joints

A Tribe Called Quest is one of hip-hop’s most legendary, beloved and revered groups of all time. A pioneer of alternative hip-hop, ATCQ’s style is easily recognized for their unique approach to rap music by employing jazz infused soundscapes to playful rhymes. The debut album, People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, released in 1990, includes “Bonita Applebum" and “Can I Kick It?”. However, it was the sophomore album, The Low End Theory, which helped the group rise to commercial and critical success and earned them a spot on Rolling Stone’s Greatest Albums of All Time with songs like “Buggin’ Out,” “Check the Rhime,” and “Scenario.” ATCQ went on to release three more studio albums 1993 – 1998 before taking a break. 

After 18 years of silence, ATCQ surprised the world with the release of a sixth (and final) studio album We got it from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service in November of 2016 which includes original members, Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and Jarobi.


Busta Rhymes in his vintage days, love it! ❤❤

Oh my God yes Oh my God.👍🏼❤️😎

Is it me or is Busta Rhymes looking like or sounding like Redman to you?

ATCQ always a pleasure to see them remembering the old Busta Rhymes

London, Tokyo. Right, true.👍🏼❤️😎

Quest and DeLa, When they did &quot; Award Tour&quot;, HipHop wasn&#39;t prepared for this one. MixMaster Mace killed it on the equip.ent side of the game! Rest In Paradise Malik Taylor, aka &quot;Phife Dog&quot;, and Truglo The Dove&quot;.

Quest and DeLa, When they did " Award Tour", HipHop wasn't prepared for this one. MixMaster Mace killed it on the equip.ent side of the game! Rest In Paradise Malik Taylor, aka "Phife Dog", and Truglo The Dove".

&#39;Back in 89 I simply slid into place&#39;

This is the song that made the word &quot;dope&quot; a legit hop hip term in the 90s.

This is the song that made the word "dope" a legit hop hip term in the 90s.

One of those tunes that brings you to a time and place

Relax yourself girl, please settle down.❤️

Yep. Her name is Crystal Michelle Blake. She&#39;s a photographer. She has a website named after her. Drop the middle name though. She also has a page on YouTube and IMDB.....

Yep. Her name is Crystal Michelle Blake. She's a photographer. She has a website named after her. Drop the middle name though. She also has a page on YouTube and IMDB.....

Now here&#39;s something back in the day you would find me bumping in the back of my trunk actually let me rephrase that I still do hip hop will never compare to the old school 80&#39;s-95

Now here's something back in the day you would find me bumping in the back of my trunk actually let me rephrase that I still do hip hop will never compare to the old school 80's-95

The Low End Theory

Listen here for all the classics! Can I Kick It, Electric Relaxation, Award Tour, Scenario, Buggin Out, Jazz (We Got) & more

Official HD Video for ”Oh My God” by A Tribe Called Quest
Listen to A Tribe Called Quest: https://ATCQ.lnk.to/listenYD
Watch more videos by A Tribe Called Quest: https://ATCQ.lnk.to/listenYD/youtube

Subscribe to the official A Tribe Called Quest YouTube channel: https://ATCQ.lnk.to/subscribeYD

Follow A Tribe Called Quest
Facebook: https://ATCQ.lnk.to/followFI
Instagram: https://ATCQ.lnk.to/followII
Twitter: https://ATCQ.lnk.to/followTI
Website: https://ATCQ.lnk.to/followWI
Spotify: https://ATCQ.lnk.to/followSI
YouTube: https://ATCQ.lnk.to/subscribeYD

Ask your voice device to play A Tribe Called Quest! 

Lyrics:
Oh my God! Yes, oh my God!

#ATribeCalledQuest #OhMyGod #OfficialVideo #HDRemastered

a tribe called quest - oh my god #FIFTYDEEP #hiphop50 #ATCQ #officialvideo #shorts

Official HD Video for ”Award Tour” by A Tribe Called Quest
Listen to A Tribe Called Quest: https://ATCQ.lnk.to/listenYD
Watch more videos by A Tribe Called Quest: https://ATCQ.lnk.to/listenYD/youtube

Subscribe to the official A Tribe Called Quest YouTube channel: https://ATCQ.lnk.to/subscribeYD

Follow A Tribe Called Quest
Facebook: https://ATCQ.lnk.to/followFI
Instagram: https://ATCQ.lnk.to/followII
Twitter: https://ATCQ.lnk.to/followTI
Website: https://ATCQ.lnk.to/followWI
Spotify: https://ATCQ.lnk.to/followSI
YouTube: https://ATCQ.lnk.to/subscribeYD

Ask your voice device to play A Tribe Called Quest! 

Lyrics:
We on a world tour with Muhammad, my man
Going each and every place with the mic in their hand
New York, NJ, NC, VA
We on a world tour with Muhammad, my man
Going each and every place with the mic in their hand
Oaktown, LA, San Fran, St. John

#ATribeCalledQuest #AwardTour #OfficialVideo #HDRemastered

a tribe called quest - award tour #FIFTYDEEP #hiphop50 #ATCQ #officialvideo #shorts

Official HD Video for ”Electric Relaxation” by A Tribe Called Quest
Listen to A Tribe Called Quest: https://ATCQ.lnk.to/listenYD
Watch more videos by A Tribe Called Quest: https://ATCQ.lnk.to/listenYD/youtube

Subscribe to the official A Tribe Called Quest YouTube channel: https://ATCQ.lnk.to/subscribeYD

Follow A Tribe Called Quest
Facebook: https://ATCQ.lnk.to/followFI
Instagram: https://ATCQ.lnk.to/followII
Twitter: https://ATCQ.lnk.to/followTI
Website: https://ATCQ.lnk.to/followWI
Spotify: https://ATCQ.lnk.to/followSI
YouTube: https://ATCQ.lnk.to/subscribeYD

Ask your voice device to play A Tribe Called Quest! 

Lyrics:
Relax yourself, girl, please settle down
Relax yourself, girl, please settle down

#ATribeCalledQuest #ElectricRelaxation #OfficialVideo #HDRemastered

A Tribe Called Quest

We got it from Here... Thank You 4 Your service

The Love Movement

Beats, Rhymes & Life

Midnight Marauders

The Low End Theory

Scenario (Remixes)

Luck of Lucien / Butter (Remixes)

People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm (25th Anniversary Edition)

Check The Rhime (Remixes)

Jazz (We've Got)

Hot Sex