From 1989/1990-1998, A Tribe Called Quest was welcomed in to the Hip-Hop community's ear through plenty of tape decks, CD changers, record players, homes and parties, etc. Also after their original reign they were loved and missed. Following the passing of ATCQ member Phife Dawg earlier this year, the group is back after 18 years with their sixth and final studio album. This album gives you classic Tribe as far as sound and feel, along commentary about current issues and older issues that they rapped about during their time, that still stand this day. A respectable 16 track double disc album along with an admirable feature list from Andre 3000, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Anderson. Paak, Talib Kweli, Busta Rhymes, Elton John, amongst other honorable names.
Disc One Highlights: 'Dis Generation' with Busta Rhymes is a needed song in Hip-Hop because I feel it will convince some of the closed minded people of the older hip-hop community who are stuck in the 90's to give the newer generation a chance because Tribe said so. 'Kids' featuring Andre 3000 is similar to the 'clean rap for kids' that Will Smith & DJ Jazzy Jeff were known for. 'Whateva Will Be' featuring Consequence is him and Tribe letting you know that whatever will happen is gonna happen. 'Solid Wall Of Sound' is Tribe and Busta Rhymes telling us they know they'll get good and electronic music from them (most of us expect no less) along with guitar from Jack White and soulful vocals from Elton John. 'The Space Program' is Tribe saying they're not the stereotypical black men or rap group. 'We The People' is Tribe expressing how minorities are people too but not treated as such.
Disc Two Highlights: 'Black Spasmodic' and 'The Killing Season' are black empowerment and oppression tracks that (not both) feature Kanye West, Talib Kweli and Busta Rhymes. 'Lost Somebody' a tribute/dedication to Phife Dawg but like 'Crossroads' from Bone Thugs, it's very relatable because we've all lost somebody. 'Movin Backwards' featuring Anderson. Paak is a positive song about moving forward and reaching full potential. 'Conrad Tokyo' featuring Kendrick Lamar is Phife setting the tone for K. Dot's important worldwide social commentary verse about worldwide oppression based on race and other usual suspects.
In a nutshell this is a classic sounding Tribe album that maintains itself as being modern with slight experimentation which the group is no stranger to. Definitely worth buying and will find its way into my Tribe album collection as this album helps solidify Tribe as one of the 4-5 greatest hip-hop groups of all time. Thank you A Tribe Called Quest for everything you all have done for hip-hop culture, the community, and music in general. RIP to arguably my favorite Tribe member, the one and only Phife Dawg.
Rhymes = 4/5
Content = 4.5/5
Beats = 4/5
Overall = 4.25/5
Watch my Video Review on YouTube
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