Name: The Low End Theory
Brand: A Tribe Called Quest

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

82876535492

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2010-02-08

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Sony

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

828767825120

Total Cap

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

A Tribe Called Quest

Genre GB

Hip Hop

Label GB

A Tribe Called Quest was a critically acclaimed rap group formed in 1988 in Queens, New York City. The group consisted of Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Jarobi, and Phife Dawg. They were part of the Native Tongues Posse along with Queen Latifah, De La Soul, Black Sheep, Monie Love, and the Jungle Brothers. Their music blended jazz and hip-hop influences to create a unique sound.

After their debut in 1989 with "Description Of A Fool," they gained popularity with hits like "Bonita Applebum" and "Can I Kick It?" Their album "The Low-End Theory" showcased their blend of boom bap beats with jazz, funk, and soul melodies. ATCQ collaborated with jazz bass player Ron Carter and incorporated samples from artists like Lou Reed and Stevie Wonder.

Throughout their career, ATCQ released several successful albums including "Midnight Marauders," which earned them the Group Of The Year award at the Source Magazine Hip Hop Award Show in 1994. Their album "Beats, Rhymes And Life" debuted at number 1 on the Billboard chart in 1996. Although their later album "The Love Movement" received critical acclaim but lacked the spark of their earlier works.

De La Soul are remembered as the premier native tongues posse, those rappers who got low-key, self-consciously thoughtful, and jazzy in the face of gangsta's hardcore threats. But A Tribe Called Quest may have been even stronger, especially on their excellent second album, the bass-thumping, heavily jazz-sampled The Low End Theory. According to the opening 'excursions,' rapper Q-Tip's old man says the disc's jazz-rap 'reminded him of bebop,' and Q calls himself 'prominent like Shakespeare.' But if Charlie Parker had ever written poetic couplets and backed them with funky-drummer and ron carter-on-bass grooves this irresistible, he might have been as big as the bard and brother james combined.

The Low End Theory

Music GB

Buy A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory (Vinyl, CD) now from Rough Trade - independent purveyors of great music, since 1976.