#43 A Tribe Called Quest, 'The Low End Theory' (1991)

Previously #153

“If there's one thing this challenge has taught me, it's how to appreciate good hip hop. I'm disappointed that I've gone so long without listening to this album.” That was my review of this album the last time around. A Tribe Called Quest taught me to appreciate Hip Hop. This was the key that unlocked Hip Hop for me. The group’s second release was a departure in sound from their debut. It was more minimalistic, with more of a focus on bass (some of my favourite bass sounds on record), drum breaks and a heavy Jazz influence. Group member, Q-Tip, mostly handled production duties and pushed the boundaries in terms of what had been done before. In particular, it was one of the first records to fuse Hip Hop with Bebop and Hard Bop Jazz. A fitting musical partnership considering the two genres were both born out of racial inequality and struggle, both improvisational art forms. It’s also notable for its use of double bass throughout.

With this release, Phife Dawg established himself as one of the leading MCs in Hip Hop, but it’s a breakout verse on the final track, ‘Scenario’ that would help launch the career of a 21-year-old Busta Rhymes. ‘Buggin’ Out’ incorporated two drum breaks simultaneously. It’s an aural wonderland. The famous brass on the lead single, ‘Check The Rhime,’ samples Funk Rock band, Average White Band, although Q-Tip manages to make it sound like it was taken from an old school Jazz song. On the opening track, ‘Excursions,’ Q-Tip raps “My pops used to say, it reminded him of be-bop/I said, well daddy don't you know that things go in cycles,” and that just sums up this record. This record was a major influence on artists like Kanye West, The Roots, Pharrell Williams, D’Angelo, Nas, Kendrick Lamar, even Jack White. The list could go on forever. But not just them, this record was a major influence on me. The key that unlocked a section of my mind.

#rs500albums