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The Low End Theory
From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work
The Low End Theory is the second album by A Tribe Called Quest and was released in September 1991 on Jive Records. It was recorded mainly at Battery Studios in New York, directly after the debut. Rapper Phife Dawg had just learned that he had diabetes, and the group decided to give him a larger role. Q-Tip produced most of it himself, with Ali Shaheed Muhammad behind the turntables.
The sound is minimalist and consists of bass, drum breaks and jazz samples, with influences from bebop and hard bop. In the lyrics, social criticism, wordplay and humour alternate, with a lively interplay between Q-Tip and Phife Dawg. At first critics and the people at Jive doubted its commercial success, but Jazz (We've Got) and Scenario attracted a great deal of attention. The album is regarded as a milestone of alternative hip hop and launched the careers of artists such as Busta Rhymes.
Listening
Track list
- 1Excursions3:55Apple Music ↗
- 2Buggin' Out3:37Apple Music ↗
- 3Rap Promoter2:13Apple Music ↗
- 4Butter3:39Apple Music ↗
- 5Verses from the Abstract (feat. Vinia Mojica & Ron Carter)3:59Apple Music ↗
- 6Show Business (feat. Diamond D, Lord Jamar & Sadat X)3:53Apple Music ↗
- 7Vibes and Stuff4:18Apple Music ↗
- 8Infamous Date Rape2:54Apple Music ↗
- 9Check the Rhime3:37Apple Music ↗
- 10Everything Is Fair2:58Apple Music ↗
- 11Jazz (We've Got)4:10Apple Music ↗
- 12Skypager2:12Apple Music ↗
- 13What?2:29Apple Music ↗
- 14Scenario (feat. Busta Rhymes, Dinco D & Charlie Brown) [LP Mix]4:10Apple Music ↗
30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗