Frenchy’s Favorites: A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory
General Description
Artist/Band: A Tribe Called Quest 
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Album Title: The Low End Theory
Year: 1991
One hundred percent intelligent black children
How I Got Into This Music
For me these guys are one of the most important rap groups of the business: A Tribe Called Quest. And this album is another one of my favorites.
Reviews: 
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Videos: 
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Have a listen on:
Tracks that got my attention:
Excursions
Jazz? Jazzy influences in rap? In 1991? For me, that was one of the first times I paid attention to rap bands using jazz.
Opening bass line, tasty and scrumptious! Vocal samples from the Last Poets.
Beats that are hard, beats that are funky
It could get you hooked like a crackhead junkie
What you gotta do to is know that the tribe is in the sphere
The abstract poet, prominent like Shakespeare
Rap Promoter
Just a groovy track, love the guitar riff sample!
Butter
Phyfe on the solo trip, being a total bad boy, heheh.. The man is one of the best rappers with an unbelievable flow. The horn sample in the chorus is Smoothness.
Well here comes Flo, with the crazy whip appeal
And I’m all true man, like Alexander O’Neal
Is this really love, then again, how would I know
After all this time tryin’ to be a superhoe
She finally played me, but yo, I’d find another
Cause I got the crazy game and yo, I’m smooth like butter
Verses From The Abstract
Q-Tip AKA The Abstract in his best form. A soft reggae flow with mister Ron Carter on Bass, oooohhwweeeee!!
The world is kinda cold and the rhythm is my blanket
Wrap yourself up in it, if you love it, then you’ll thank it
One of my favorite lyrics ever.. You could put it on my tombstone, yes please, thankyouverymuch..
Show Business
Nice tempo, sometimes a bit boring, sometimes still interesting. If I’m not mistaken, this track’s the first time they had other rappers on their work.
Vibes And Stuff
The choppy keyboard sample has been used many a time since I heard it on this album. Love it! Great dedication track.
The Infamous Date Rape
A very serious subject, putting things in perspective, I guess.
Check The Rhime
Gotta try and remember where the horn sample’s from.
Classic anthem!!! (repeat to infinity:)
Q: you on point, Phife?
P: all the time, Tip
This is a master class in rap lyrics, boys-n-girlz, pay attention!
now here’s a funky introduction of how nice I am.
Tell your mother, tell your father, send a telegram.
I’m like an energizer ’cause, you see, I last long.
My crew is never ever wack because we stand strong.
Got this one printed on a t-shirt:
One hundred percent intelligent black child.
Another shout-along:
Industry rule number four thousand and eighty,
Record company people are shady.
Everything Is Fair
Female equality, a flipside story.
Jazz
Another mellowed out track, sweet bass work and nasty horns on the sampler.
Back and forth just like a cameo song
If you dig this joint then please come dance along
What?
Momma, this is hurting me fine!! A minimalistic setup: a basic loop and beat, mixed with Q-Tip’s vocals.
A lot of very smart questions:
What’s duke ellington without that swing?
What’s alex haley if it doesn’t have roots?
What is hip-hop if it doesn’t have violence?
Scenario
Yeah.. It took me some time to like this chant, but I love it now and it still rocks!
Here’s the video, made by Spike Lee:
Guest performances from the Leaders of the New School with a very young Busta Rhymes.
Conclusion
The importance lies in the production and choice of samples: jazz is given a serious center stage without being to preachy about it and mixing it all up into a very broad spectrum. It still is an accessible record for the rap crowd while triggering interest from the non-rap crowd.
Also the lyrics: seriously, these guys were setting new standards with the words and vocals.
This album’s a favorite, still prefer Midnight Marauders though.
Go have a listen!
September 6th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Beautiful and rich review on this classic hip hop album. Brings back sweet memories.. *where did that Leader of the New School album go?*