How “The Low End Theory” Helped A Tribe Called Quest Find Their Iconic Sound
By Miles Hagan
Jazz and hip hop aren't supposed to go together. One is calming and is supposed to be listened to exclusively by those who are 40 years of age and older. The other is loud and aggressive and is listened to by angry teenagers and young adults. Apparently, A Tribe Called Quest didn't get the memo. In 1991 they released arguably their best album The Low End Theory. With unmatched flows and wordplay from members Q-Tip and Phife Dawg, it is actually the innovative production that has allowed for this album to withstand the test of time. It features a myriad of slick jazz samples and bass guitars and other unique sounds that pay homage to an older form of music while pushing the hip-hop genre forward.
This was Tribe’s second studio album and based off their first, this new jazzy sound was completely unexpected. The group had gained some popularity from their previous work but nothing too crazy. The group began session for their new album right after they concluded work on People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm. There was creative energy and vibe that the group didn't want to waste so they got to work right away on The Low End Theory. One of the Key contributors to the success of the second album was the increased participation of Phife Dawg. The five-foot assassin took a backseat to Q-Tip on the groups first project, and after he was diagnosed with diabetes and considered leaving the Tribe. Instead, the group ended up deciding that he needed to have a bigger role in the group moving forward. This coupled with the inspiration Tribe drew from NWA’s Straight Outta Compton record set the stage for this creative masterpiece.
This is not a project that only relies on production to carry it. The group had several important messages that they were trying to communicate throughout The Low End Theory. A prime example of this is the song “The Infamous Date Rape.” Q-Tip and Phife trade witty verses offering their own commentary on date rape which was a very serious issue at that time. They are able to offer several different perspectives on the issue while also not taking themselves too seriously. The production features some deep drums sampled from Jackie Jackson’s “Is It Him or Me” from 1973 and the pianos in the background come from Cannonball Adderley’s 1972 song “The Steam Drill.” The skillful interpretation of samples from songs like this are what create the jazzy atmosphere around The Low End Theory. This cut was only a precursor for the next track on the album, “Check The Rhime,” which was the only single put out before the release of the album. Call and response was very popular form of rapping in the early 90s and 80s and this song is one of the best examples. Tip and Phife have a conversation with each other basically discussing their standing in the rap game and how they got there. The horns that echo throughout the track will have the listener humming the song all day long, and the bass guitar behind every verse is absolutely perfectly placed. Q-Tip also closes the song by coming at record executives and their suspect activities, once again reminding us that despite the fun flows and bouncy production that this group still has a message to share.
Though the two rappers in A Tribe Called Quest compliment each other in every sense, “Excursions” and “Butter” showcase Q-Tip and Phife Dawg as individual rappers and they do not disappoint in the slightest. “Excursions” sets the tone for the album and transports the listener to New York as we follow Q-Tip as he explains literally what can be expected from the album. He talks about his love for and the importance of jazz in music as well as the Afrocentric themes of his art and the way he lives life. On “Butter” Phife becomes maybe the most relatable he's ever been on a track. He talks about how he has dealt with girls both as a young man in high school and even in the present now that he’s achieved large amounts of money and fame. Moments like these are what tie the album together beautifully and allow it to be played in today’s world. There are some things that they rap about on The Low End Theory that people in 2019 can't relate too just simply because it came out so long ago. Kids today have no idea how a pager works and the extent of our knowledge about Bo Jackson comes from watching low-quality highlights on YouTube. Yet they are able to bring us back into the loop with great flows, incredible beats, and the special moments when they are just people talking about life and ideas that they are passionate about.
While The Low End Theory is probably the most notable piece of work that A Tribe Called Quest put out, their next album Midnight Marauders was exceptional and they even released a very impressive album in 2016 called We Got it from Here… Thank You 4 Your service. This was the group's final album which seemed fitting after the very unfortunate passing of Phife Dawg in the same year. On this effort, it seemed like the group didn't miss a beat from their rapping to production, each moment on this album lived up to expectations. The Low End Theory set the stage for the rest of their careers as rappers, while also doing tremendous things for rap as a whole. That’s why even if some people disagree and say that this isn't their best album, it can not be denied that this is what created the sound that they stayed with for the duration of their careers. Not only did it set the course for the rest of Tribe’s career, but this masterpiece also inspired many others to get more creative with the way they made their music. Today artists like Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, and many others frequently site Tribe Called Quest as an inspiration and look back to times way before them to figure out new and creative ways to incorporate that sound into their own. Tribe should be celebrated for their creative take to music so early on and the influence of the Low End Theory won't be forgotten anytime soon.
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