Coming from the Streets of New York came something called Native Tongues, which was a super collective consisted of mostly groups and solo rappers. The original people were Jungle Brothers, who released their albums in 1988 and 1989, along with De La Soul having their debut in 1989 (3 Feet High & Rising). But am I here to talk about these people? Well not really. After those 2 had their shine, A Tribe Called Quest was up next...
A Tribe Called Quest consisted of Q-Tip (the lead), Phife Dawg (the secondary), Ali Shaheed Muhammad (the DJ) and Jarobi White (who was mostly an occasional member). Q-Tip already had his early guest appearances on both Jungle Brothers and De La Soul's albums, while Phife Dawg would later appear on De La Soul's "Buddy (Native Tongues Decision)" Later on, the group would release their debut People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm in 1990, known for some of their best songs, but ended up being an underrated piece of work (even to this day), with positive reviews noticing their immaturity and unfocused content. Tip was the one that actually lead the group, doing most of the songs, with Phife having minor contributions. But later on, occasional member Jarobi would leave the group, turning the group into Phife, Tip & Ali. Phife, finding out that he was diabetic, managed to have a discussion with Tip after the album's release, and they decided to have him participate more in the group. So with that, the group started working on what would be a certified classic: The Low End Theory.
The Low End Theory was their sophomore effort released on Jive (back when it was a credible hip-hop label and didn't sign any pop acts yet) at the start of Fall 1991. It consists of 14 tracks and features fellow peripheral Native Tongues groups including Brand Nubian and Leaders of the New School along with Vinia Mojica and Diamond D. The album was preceded by the first single "Check The Rhime" released in the Summer of 1991, and was released at the time where Tribe were gaining a loyal fan base. While not their darkest album yet (Beats, Rhymes and Life would feature darker content than this), Tribe showed their dark side as they touch on social issues and problems with Jive throughout the album.
The Low End Theory was one of the first records to mix hip-hop with a laidback jazzy atmosphere, and can be seen as their finest piece of work, either behind or in front of their next album, Midnight Marauders. Since the album is overall an alternative hip-hop album, it managed to change the shape of alternative hip-hop, having positive reviews with 5 stars by so many music magazines. Actually, member Jarobi White recorded vocals for the album, but when he left the group while the album was still in the works, they omitted it and made it just Tip & Phife. Do I know how much it sold? Well, no. But it did reach the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums at #13, and peaked down at other charts. "Scenario", the album's final track, would be also seen as hip-hop's greatest posse cut, as Leaders of the New School squeezed into the song, having a big influence, especially when Nicki Minaj interpolated one of Busta Rhymes' lines in "Roman's Revenge" (yeah, I just thought I should add that in). Unlike people nowadays, Tribe didn't sell many records like others, especially with this album, but The Low End Theory has proven to be a classic so much, that you would probably maintain a big friendship with someone if they have it on their record collection or on their phone.
But yeah, on to The Low End Theory...
1. Excursions
This was a very interesting opening to the album. The Abstract takes the song on his own, instead of adding Phife at least to the middle or something. The positive vibes found in this song were alright, but at the same time, you can hear some dark atmosphere here, even if they want you to vibe to it. Anyway, on to the next one.
2. Buggin' Out
Now this is where it goes down. Phife is here and outstandingly outshines his partner. I always love it when that happens, and Phife still comes with that heat, especially when he starts out so flawless. What had managed to be a highlight for me was the second verse where it had so much great lines from Phife. I thought he did... oh yeah, we're talking about A Tribe Called Quest here, not just Phife. Tip was decent on it, and I liked how he got into the song nicely, while on a funky beat provided here, making everything combined together here a standout on the album.
3. Rap Promoter
A little nice song from Tip, with a span of 2 minutes, which I don't mind, to be honest. I still don't know why Tip had to call this a "fly love song".
4. Butter
An impressive solo from Phife, which I'm glad he managed to get on the album, because here and there, I had got sick and tired of Tip just leading the album on his own especially on People's Instinctive Travels previously, he could've gave the mic to Phife then, but why now? Anyway, this song was a really great song. I didn't really like the first verse, although Phife delivered it well. He did go back into his raw flow in the 2nd verse, which I liked the most. Tip only contributes on the hook, which was alright, to be honest. Oh yeah, and the beat was "smooth like butter".
5. Verses From The Abstract
A few people have found this boring but actually, this is a very good song. As the song suggests, this is a big solo song from Tip aka The Abstract, whose verses actually flows well on here. Vinia Mojica's singing during the hooks was smooth and I really digged it. Ron Carter took part on the double bass in the track, and he was outstanding on it. This has managed to be my favourite solo from Tip out of all the Tribe albums, mainly because of the smooth vibes that were portrayed a lot more than in the other albums. An outstanding effort.
6. Show Business (Feat. Diamond D, Lord Jamar & Sadat X)
This is funky as hell, and Tribe along with 2/4 of Brand Nubian and Diamond D rap about Industry Rule #4080 (which is "record labels are shady", see Check The Rhime). All rappers flow well on this song, and they don't really sound like guest appearances, to be honest. Diamond D managed to standout very much on this track, with the content being a lot more clearer and lyrical than everyone else, and his last line having some good wordplay on "Wild Pitch". One thing is that this song was supposed to be called "Georgie Porgie", but due to it being very homophobic to the eye (check it out on YouTube, there are so much dislikes). it ended up luckily not being properly released and turned into this one hell of a great song. If released today, it'd probably take a jab at the "new generation" and people like Young Thug. Thank God "Georgie Porgie" was rejected.
7. Vibes and Stuff
It actually feels like Tribe didn't really have a name for this, so they just slapped this title there, but this is a very decent song. They both do their thing on here. Yeah, I actually got nothing else to say.
8. The Infamous Date Rape
This was alright. I liked the content, where it can go in a 2nd person situation, and Tip & Phife both flowed well here. Not a standout, but it's a really decent track
9. Check The Rhime
This song right here is a freakin' CLASSIC! Almost 25 years later, this proves to be something so epic and it shows Tip & Phife at their goddamn finest. And out of all the songs on albums I've listened to from People's Instinctive Travels to The Love Movement, this song is probably their best they've ever done behind "Electric Relaxation", and maybe "Jazz (We've Got)". Hold on, excuse me for my hyper mood, I'm just saying that this song is very great. I really liked how the song came on, and it was funky as hell, as Tip & Phife share the mic on the track with no problems. The positive vibes manages to be portrayed the most on here, and doesn't revolve around dark content, and while the previous tracks were either chill, laidback or dark in content, this just breaks the ice. I don't see why anyone wouldn't like this song.
10. Everything is Fair
I really liked the beat and Tip's lyrical content, but that vocal sample that makes the hook is just so disturbing!
11. Jazz (We've Got)
This song remains one of the greatest hip-hop songs of all time, and it actually does deserve that. This is something I can "boom in my Jeep", but I'm young, so I don't have a Jeep. I wish I did. But I digress, this is so great, and the jazz elements are so excellent and portrayed way better than most of the 90s songs that had jazz in it. The bass & jazz was just... too freaking much, god damn! But let's talk about how the two did: while Tip did an excellent job starting it off, I really liked Phife's verse, where the content was actually great, and was better to put in my head, I did like how Tip came back though, with a better verse and ended the song with the "...and you don't stop" adlibs. Overall, this is my favourite Tribe song, not only on this album, but actually as a whole (I didn't forget about you, "Electric Relaxation").
12. Skypager
A short song from Tip & Phife, which I didn't care about back then. Has my thoughts changed? Er...*does moonwalk*...nah!
13. What?
Tip does a solo, which is actually very decent. He does "question rhymes", as he asks questions which are really interesting. The beat sounds like something on a movie, to be honest. But the questions that managed to hit me were "what is a child who doesn't know puberty" and "What are laws if they ain't fair and equal", which were really interesting lyrics on the song. Anyway, on to the next one!
14. Scenario (Feat. Leaders of the New School)
Now this song deserves to be hip-hop's greatest posse cut, because it is such a great song that freakin rocks. Here, no-one steals the shine other than Busta Rhymes who does an excellent job as he goes through his crazy wild flow (which people had compared to ODB a lot), and murks this track the most dangerous way possible. And while Phife, Q-Tip, Dinco D & Charlie Brown did decent on the track, no one did it better than Busta, who'd have such an adequate career, making hits and having a few ups and downs (yeah, he just recently left Cash Money, I swear that label is just something else, damn!). This is a classic, need I say more?
At 14 tracks and 48 minutes, The Low End Theory manages to be a very overwhelming classic. People's Instinctive Travels was a decent effort for a debut, but the focus on the album was silly, immature and around the place, with some boring songs here and there. However, Low End happens to be much improved, and Tip, Phife & Ali began to be very mature. The album finally features better and refreshed instrumentals instead of some good and some mediocre, with the album's focus being much better, and actually revolving around a certain thing. The group's content feels better and nice and Tip & Phife brought up very interesting topics, including the industry, show promoting and social issues like date rapes and girls etc. The basslines on the tracks are just on point and so wonderful. Heck, Ron Carter did his thing on his double bass on "Verses From The Abstract", and the others, including Diamond D and Phife on "Show Business". Although Tip remains my favourite off Tribe, his solos can annoy me, and isn't always necessary. I didn't like "Excursions" much although it was a good starter, and "Rap Promoter", although funky, was kinda boring. I always wondered why Phife didn't get enough solos on the album, it was always 1 per album, while Tip gets 4 or 5. Oh well, then again, everything here is what made The Low End Theory a freakin classic. So is it even worth buying? HELL YEAH!!! Phife comes through with the heat, and he finally contributes a lot more, and Tip stepped up a little instead of sounding bland like he did with People's Instinctive Travels (he did alright on that album though, and although he kept that positiveness in this one, the focus on the previous album was a little unpleasant). It's a classic, a masterpiece, a piece of art, so much words to describe. And God help you if you don't like it...
The Furious 5ive
Jazz (We've Got)
Check The Rhime
Scenario
Verses From The Abstract
Buggin' Out
Honourable Mentions
Butter
What?
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