A TRIBE CALLED QUEST
As part of the original threesome who formed the Native Tongue
crew, A Tribe Called Quest have
single-handedly influenced hip-hop in so many ways. Although
generally viewed as consisting of
three members, A Tribe Called Quest is really a four man crew:
Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Mohammad,
Phife, and Jarobi. Q-Tip is traditionally referred to as the
leader of ATCQ contributing to all aspects of
their music like production, lyrics, and even the business side
of things. Ali is essentially the lead
producer/DJ of the group famous for his thick basslines and abstract
beats. Phife is what you'd call
the take-no-shorts battle rhymer of the crew who can often be
counted on for some very memorable
lines. Jarobi's role in the whole crew is somewhat unknown but
it is generally accepted that he was a
friend of the crew who helped out with beats and rhymes.
When they first came onto the scene with "People's Instinctive
Travels...", some heads were calling
them "the yuppies of rap" as their music was often associated
with the more "elite" cirlces in hip-hop
who were sick of the "braggadocio" flavoured tracks. But over
the course of their careers, their music
has gained the respect of all types of fans, whether it be the
most "underground" head who frowns
upon any radio-type joint to the big wigs at mainstream publications
like Rolling Stone and Billboard.
It seems that Q-Tip, Muhammad, and Phife have been able to create
high quality music that's
appreciated by folks from both ends of the spectrum.
To be continued (when I have more time)...
Albums
People's
Instinctive Travels
and the Paths of
Rhythm Jive 1990
(1331)
Tribe's 1990 debut was a
sleeper hit that didn't really
pick up until the release of
"Bonita Applebum" as a
single. The majority of this
album is carried lyrically by
Q-Tip, helping to overcast
shortcomings in rhyme by a
young, unpolished Phife
Dawg.
Push It Along
Luck of Lucien
After Hours
Footprints
I Left My Wallet In El Segundo
Pubic Enemy
Bonita Applebum
Can I Kick It?
Youthful Expression
Rhythm (Devoted to the Art of
Moving Butts)
Mr. Muhammad
Ham 'N' Eggs
Go Ahead In The Rain
Description of a Fool
People's
Instinctive
Remixes Jive 1990
I guess Jive decided to keep
the hungry Tribe fans happy
by releasing this little remix
EP. Well...some of them are
pretty hot like the 'Pubic
Enemy' remix and the Why?
edit of 'Bonita Applebum'
but then inclusions like the
annoying Vampire mix of
'...El Sugundo' was it's only
drawback...
Can I Kick It? (Extended
Boilerhouse Mix)
I Left My Wallet In El Segundo
(Vampire Mix)
Bonita Applebum (12" Why? Edit)
Description of a Fool (talkie)
Pubic Enemy (Saturday Night Virus
Discomix)
The Low End
Theory Jive 1991
(1418)
This sophomore
phenomenon remains on a
majority of hip-hop
collectors' all-time lists.
Remarkably solid and stable
beats and rhymes
throughout, "Low End
Theory" maintains a similar
vibe from beginning to end -
the artists' realization that
they had something good
going, and therefore did not
try to mix things up
musically. Tracks are
differentiated by MC
personnel rather than
production. Q-Tip and Phife
shine on solo shots "What"
and "Butter" respectively,
while mass posse cuts like
"Scenario" and "Show
Business" rule the other
end.
Excursions
Buggin' Out
Rap Promoter
Butter
Verses From The Abstract
Show Business
Vibes and Stuff
The Infamous Date Rape
Check The Rhime
Everything Is Fair
Jazz (We've Got)
Skypager
What?
Scenario
Revised Quest For
The Seasoned
Traveller -
Jive/Zomba 1992
(130)
Neat little remix compilation
which contains some of the
stronger mixes/b-sides of
ATCQ's 12"'s from their first
two LP's. The "Luck of
Lucien" house mix and the
"...El Segundo" Vampire mix
are really the only weak
tracks on this album.
Everything else is pretty
damn solid.
Bonita Applebum (12" Why? Edit)
I Left My Wallet In El Segundo
(Vampire Mix)
Description Of A Fool (Talkie)
Luck Of Lucien (Main Mix)
Pubic Enemy (Saturday Night Virus
Discomix)
Check The Rhime (Mr
Muhammad's Mix)
Can I Kick It? (Extended
Boilerhouse Mix)
Scenario (Young Nation Mix)
If The Papes Come (Remix)
Butter (Hip Hop Mix)
Jazz (We've Got) (Re-Recording)
Bonita Applebum (Hootie Mix)
Midnight
Marauders Jive
1993 (42186)
A little more varied than
"Low End", resulting in
some standout new sounds
like "God Lives Through",
"Award Tour" and "Keep It
Rollin", but also some flat
tracks that interrupt the
album's continuity.
"Marauders" is chock full of
dopeness but isn't the
complete full-length of its
predecessor.
Midnight Marauders Tour Guide
Steve Biko (Stir It Up)
Award Tour
8 Million Stories
Sucka Nigga
Midnight
We Can Get Down
Electric Relaxation
Clap Your Hands
Oh My God
Keep It Rollin'
The Chase, Part II
Lyrics To Go
God Lives Through
Hot Sex (import double LP Only)
Beats, Rhymes
And Life Jive 1996
(41587)
The Quest take a different
turn on their fourth and
most recent album, the first
under the new production
vibe entitled the "UMMAH",
a more mellow and melodic
approach than before. Also
the first album released
without a lead retail single.
So far this album has been
unable to equal the sales of
the previous three releases.
Phony Rappers
Get A Hold
Motivators
Jam
Crew
The Pressure
1nce Again (featuring Tammy
Lucas)
Mind Power
The Hop
Keeping It Moving
Baby Phife's Return
Separate/Together
What Really Goes On
Word Play
Stressed Out (featuring Faith
Evans)
The Love
Movement Jive
1998 (41638)
[blah blah blah]
Start It Up
Find A Way
Da Booty
Steppin' It Up (feat. Busta Rhymes
& Redman)
Like It Like That
Common Ground (Got It Goin' On)
4 Moms (feat. Spanky)
His Name Is Mutty Ranks
Give Me (feat. Noreaga)
Pad & Pen (feat. D-Life)
Busta's Lament
Hot 4 U
Against The World
The Love
Rock Rock Y'all (feat. Punchline,
Wordsworth, Jane Doe & Mos Def)
Bonus vinyl:
Scenario (Remix)
Money Maker
Hot Sex
Oh My Got (Remix)
Jazz (We've Got) (Re-recording
Radio)
One Two S**t (feat. Busta Rhymes)
Singles
Description Of A
Fool - Jive/Zomba
1989 (1241)
Interesting choice of track
for a lead-off 12" given the
soon to be widespread
popularity of other
selections on the album. Not
a bad 12" regardless as the
powerful Q-Tip solo wound
up being a favorite of many
a Tribe fan.
[Thanks to Alexander
Poulikakos at the Hip Hop
Vinyl Heaven for hooking
me up with the scan of this
12" cover.]
Description Of A Fool (Talkie)
Description Of A Fool (Silent)
Instrumentalism Of Fools
I Left My Wallet In
El Segundo -
Jive/Zomba 1989
(43368)
The first of the two El
Segundo 12"'s was to
feature some of Tribe's
crazier sounding music that
was to gain quite a following
in the early days. The
Feature Length version of El
Segundo was almost a bit
much to the ears but it had
some funny moments. The
Saturday Night Virus
Discomix was that dope and
bouncy remix to the LP
version of 'Pubic Enemy'. All
in all, a decent 12" from our
Native Tongue affiliates.
Pubic Enemy (Saturday Night Virus
Discomix)
I Left My Wallet In El Segundo
(Feature Length)
Pubic Enemy (Silent)
I Left My Wallet In El Segundo
(Silent)
I Left My Wallet In El Segundo
(Excerpt)
I Left My Wallet In
El Segundo -
Jive/Zomba 1990
(1300)
This great little green vinyl
offering featured both the
album and phenomenal
discomix versions of 'Pubic
Enemy' in addition to the El
Segundo mixes. It was a
nice little 12" which
managed to gain people's
interest in the group before
the LP was to drop shortly.
I Left My Wallet In El Segundo
(Feature Length)
I Left My Wallet In El Segundo
(Talkie)
I Left My Wallet In El Segundo
(Silent)
Pubic Enemy (Saturday Night Virus
Discomix)
Pubic Enemy (Talkie)
Pubic Enemy (Silent)
Bonita Applebum -
Jive/Zomba 1990
(1368)
Ah yes, the first of many
'Bonita Applebum' 12"
offerings. With the neat little
Hootie Mix (featuring *that*
sample) and the Mr.
Muhammad b-side, it was
clear that the Tribe was
going to try to reach as
many people as possible
with this cool little club track.
[Thanks to Alexander
Poulikakos at the Hip Hop
Vinyl Heaven for hooking
me up with the scan of this
12" cover.]
Bonita Applebum (Hootie Mix)
Bonita Applebum (Album Version)
Bonita Applebum (Instrumental)
Bonita Applebum (Radio Edit)
Mr. Muhammad (Album Version)
Mr. Muhammad (Instrumental)
Bonita Applebum -
Jive/Zomba 1990
(1384)
[Insert LP/12" description
here]
Bonita Applebum (UK 12" Mix)
Bonita Applebum (UK Radio Edit)
Mr. Muhammad (Album Version)
Bonita Applebum (Radio Edit)
Bonita Applebum (Remix)
Bonita Applebum (LP Version)
Bonita Applebum (Instrumental)
Bonita Applebum -
Jive/Zomba 1990
The last of the Bonita 12"'s
was a decent record
showcasing the 12" Why?
edit and then a crazy 10
minute Boys mix. The Boys
mix is probably the stronger
of the two with its smooth
and laid back production.
Bonita Applebum (12" Why
Version)
Bonita Applebum (Boys Mix)
Can I Kick It? -
Jive/Zomba 1990
(1400)
Ahhhh...the mother of all
Quest 12"'s. Packed with
wicked Can I Kick It?
remixes and the incredible
"If The Papes Come"
soundtrack cut, this was to
become one of the more
coveted Tribe 12"'s for both
fans & DJ's. The Spirit Mix
of 'Can I Kick It' is
hands-down the best mix of
the three which also
happens to be the track
used in the video.
Can I Kick It? (Spirit Mix)
Can I Kick It? (Edit)
Can I Kick It? (Phase 5 Mix)
Spirits
If The Papes Come (with Baby
Bam)
If The Papes Come (Remix)
Can I Kick It? (LP Version)
Check The Rhime -
Jive/Zomba 1991
(42010)
The Lead-Off single for
"Low End Theory" was one
of the stronger tracks off
their classic sophmore LP.
The LP version is clearly the
strongest of the three mixes
but Ali & Skeff's mixes come
very close in terms of quality.
Check The Rhime (LP Version)
Check The Rhime (Mr.
Muhammad's Mix)
Check The Rhime (Skeff's Mix)
Check The Rhime (Instrumental)
Skypager
Jazz (We've Got) -
Jive/Zomba 1991
(42035)
More classic ATCQ layed
down on a nice little 12".
Interestingly enough, they
made a remix of 'Jazz...'
which completely changed
up the beats & the lyrics so
it almost sounds opposite to
the original version. It was
still very dope and fit in
nicely with the hilarious
'Buggin Out'.
Jazz (We've Got) (LP Version)
Jazz (We've Got) (Re-Recording)
Jazz (We've Got) (LP Radio
Version)
Jazz (We've Got) (Re-Recording
Radio)
Buggin' Out
Jazz (We've Got) (Re-Recording
Instrumental)
Scenario -
Jive/Zomba 1992
(42056)
This was one of the more
popular 12"'s from the 3
man crew featuring the
hugely successful
"Scenario". Amazingly
enough, the remix (new
track & new lyrics) is just as
hype as the original with
good production and
featuring a new MC called
Hood (who tragically died
after the release of the
song).
Scenario (LP Version)
Scenario (Instrumental)
Scenario (Remix)
Scenario (Remix Instrumental)
Butter (LP Version)
Scenario -
Jive/Zomba 1992
(302)
This massive import
basically takes the title for
the most solid 12" off "Low
End Theory". Not only do
you get the same LP edits &
remix off the domestic on
the b-side, but the a-side
features two slammin' mixes
of both the LP version
(Young Nation's Mix) and
the Remix (7 MC's Mix). This
hype 12" was thankfully
around much longer than
the domestic - to the delight
of fans & DJ's all over.
Scenario (7 MC's Mix)
Scenario (7 MC's Instrumental)
Scenario (Young Nation Mix)
Scenario (Young Nation
Instrumental)
Scenario (LP Version)
Scenario (Instrumental)
Scenario (Remix)
Scenario (Remix Instrumental)
Hot Sex Jive 1992
(42094)
From the "Boomerang"
soundtrack, "Hot Sex" is a
little unconventional lyrically
for Quest between the "Low
End Theory" and "Midnight
Marauders" albums, which
may explain why it's never
appeared on any other US
release. Also contains the
first domestic appearances
of UK remixes for "Scenario"
and (CD single only)
"Butter", also found on the
"Revised Quest" import
compilation.
Hot Sex (LP Version)
Hot Sex (Instrumental)
Scenario (Young Nations Mix)
Everything Is Fair (LP Version)
Butter (U.K. Hip Hop Remix) (CD
Bonus Track)
Can I Kick It? -
Jive/Zomba 1992
(324)
Decent UK import 12" off
their remix LP containing the
'Hot Sex' Boomerang track
and the additional
Boilerhouse Mix of 'Can I
Kick It?' that was not
included on the domestic
12". Not as nice as the
domestic "Can I Kick It" 12"
though...
Can I Kick It? (Extended
Boilerhouse Mix)
Can I Kick It? (Phase 5 Mix)
Hot Sex (LP Version)
Hot Sex (Instrumental)
Award Tour Jive
1993 (42186)
The lead single for "Midnight
Marauders" wasn't exactly
what people expected after
the success of "The Low
End Theory", but hip-hop
dancefloors eventually gave
in to the track's explosive
production and feel-good
rhymes. Flipside contains a
one-verse bonus version of
"The Chase, Part II"
featuring the debut of
Consequence.
Award Tour (LP Version)
Award Tour (Radio Version)
Award Tour (Instrumental)
The Chase, Part II (LP Version)
(CD Bonus Track)
The Chase, Part II (featuring
Consequence)
Electric Relaxation
- Jive/Zomba 1994
(42196)
"Relax yourself girl, please
set-tle down...." The lyrics of
that infamous verse off
'Electric Relaxation' which
no one could figure out.
Anyways, no remixes on this
one, just a couple of the
more solid tracks of the LP.
Electric Relaxation (LP Version)
Electric Relaxation (Instrumental)
Midnight (LP Version)
Midnight (Instrumental)
Oh My God Jive
1994 (42211)
Quiet but strong third single
to close out the third album.
Good remixes for both "Oh
My God" and "Lyrics To Go",
and a bonus track "One Two
S**t" with Busta Rhymes
during his tenure of
guesting on everyone and
their mother's tracks.
Oh My God (LP Version)
Oh My God (Remix)
Oh My God (Know Naim Remix)
Lyrics To Go (LP Version)
Lyrics To Go (Remix)
One Two S**t (featuring Busta
Rhymes)
Oh My God -
Jive/Zomba 1994 (r
355)
The UK 12" for 'Oh My God'
just can't touch the
domestic in terms of quality.
The Kool Summer Vibe Mix
was alright but nothing
special and the Bonita &
Kick It remixes were kind of
a waste given that they're
already widely available on
other records.
Oh My God (LP Version)
Oh My God (Kool Summer Vibe
Mix)
Bonita Applebum (12" Why
Version)
Can I Kick It? (Extended
Boilerhouse Mix)
Oh My God
Remixes -
Jive/Zomba 1994 (t
355)
This was an interesting
collection of remixes done
by various DJ's in the UK.
The 'Master Mix' and 'Organ
Mix' carry the bulk of the
wieght on this release with
surprisingly good beats
backing the track. In short,
this was an album for Tribe
fans as most would probably
opt for the domestic 12".
NOTE: including the LP
version, this brings the total
number of 'Oh My God'
remixes to 8 with at least 5
or 6 being incredibly dope!!!
Oh My God (UK Flavour Radio Mix)
Oh My God (Red Eye Mix)
Oh My God (Master Mix)
Oh My God (Organ Mix)
EP - Jive/Zomba
1994 (374)
One of a few EP's ATCQ
were to release. This one
wasn't too bad, showcasing
a bunch of solid non-12"
tracks from their 3 LP's.
Basically a record for DJ's
and hardcore Tribe fans
alike.
[Big shouts out to Scott
Wilson for hooking me up
with a scan for this EP"]
We Can Get Down
Clap Your Hands
Verses From The Abstract
Footprints
Classics -
Jive/Zomba 1996
(42362)
Another EP released to
generate interest in the trio
as they set to release their
4th album. A good selection
of hits from their first two
albums.
Check The Rhime
Bonita Applebum
Can I Kick It?
Scenario
I Left My Wallet In El Segundo
1nce Again -
Jive/Zomba 1996
(42388)
The dissapointing debut
single off their new album.
Fans were already starting
to accuse Tribe of selling
out and watering down their
music to broaden their fan
base. '1nce Again' was just
not what fans were
expecting to hear after
Tribe's lengthy 2 year hiatus.
1nce Again (Radio Version)
1nce Again (Instrumental)
1nce Again (Album Version)
1nce Again (Acappella)
1nce Again -
Jive/Zomba 1996
(399)
I guess Jive decided that
'1nce Again' needed some
help from older, unreleased
material to push the 12".
You really begin to see the
contrasts between '1nce
Again' and the B-Side
material.
1nce Again (Album Version)
1nce Again (Instrumental)
One, Two, S**t
Scenario (Remix)
1nce Again Pt. 2 -
Jive/Zomba 1996
Again, Jive tries to push a
remix to '1nce Again' with
Tribe's classic material from
the past.
1nce Again (Featuring Tammy
Lucas)
Bonita Applebum (Album Version)
Can I Kick It? (Album Version)
Scenario (Remix)
Stressed Out -
Jive/Zomba 1996
A natural choice for a
follow-up 12" featuring
high-profile Bad Boy artist
Faith Evans. In terms of
quality, a rather poor choice
in songs to release;
however, both Jive & ATCQ
hoped that this record will
expand their fan base even
more.
Stressed Out (Radio Version)
Stressed Out (Instrumental)
Stressed Out (Album Version)
Stressed Out (Acappella)
Stressed
Out/Word Play/The
Jam - Jive/Zomba
1996 (42420)
So far, this 12" remains the
best of the 12" singles
released from "Beats,
Rhymes, and Life". Sure,
the Stressed Our rmx is
average at best, but the
inclusion of better quality
cuts off the album, 'Word
Play' and 'The Jam', salvage
this from being another poor
offering for fans.
[Thanks to Alexander
Poulikakos at the Hip Hop
Vinyl Heaven for hooking
me up with the scan of this
12" cover.]
Stressed Out (Remix - Radio)
Stressed Out (Remix Instrumental)
Word Play (Radio)
Word Play (Instrumental)
The Jam (Radio)
The Jam (Instrumental)
Stressed Out/1nce
Again - Jive/Zomba
1996
Again, not really much to
talk about on this one. Still
more bland re-workings of
two of the weaker tracks off
the album.
Stressed Out (Baby Phife's
Version)
Stressed Out (Saadiq's Remix)
Stressed Out (Vocal)
1nce Again (vocal)
1nce Again (instrumental)
1nce Again (Baby Phife's
Instrumental)
The Jam EP -
Jive/Zomba 1997
Now here's a little EP which
garnered Tribe a bit more
support and interest from
die hard Questers. The only
really 'new' song is 'Mardi
Gras At Midnight' featuring
a reasonable appearence
by Raw Digga. However,
'Same Ol' Thing', a nice
Q-Tip solo track, along with
two very high-quality songs
off "Beats, Rhymes, and
Life", have all been seen
before ('Same Ol' Thing' was
on the Men In Black
soundtrack). Still, this EP
was probably the best
record Tribe has put out in
some time.
The Jam
Get A Hold
Mardi Gras At Midnight
Same Ol' Thing
Find A Way -
Jive/Zomba 1998
(42534)
[blah blah blah]
Find A Way (Radio Version)
Find A Way (Instrumental)
Find A Way (LP Version)
Steppin' It Up (Radio Version)
Steppin' It Up (Instrumental)
Steppin' It Up (LP Version)
Additonal Tracks
>From "The Show" Soundtrack - Def Jam 1995 (314 529 021)
Glamour And Glitz
>From "High School High" - Big Beat 1996
Peace, Prosperity & Paper
>From "Get On The Bus" Soundtrack - Interscope 1996
The Remedy
Guest Appearances
De La Soul "Sh.Fe.MC's" (Q-Tip, Phife)
De La Soul "A Roller Skating Jam Named Saturdays" (Q-Tip)
Fu-Schnickens "La Schmoove" (Phife)
Whitey Don "Artical" (Phife)
Mobb Deep "Drink Away The Pain" (Q-Tip)
Jungle Brothers "In Time" (Q-Tip)
Jungle Brothers "The Promo" (Q-Tip)
Jungle Brothers "Promo No. 2" (Q-Tip)
Del The Funkyhomosapien "Undisputed Champs" (Q-Tip)
Chi-Ali "Let The Horns Blow" (Phife)
De La Soul "Buddy" (Q-Tip)
Black Sheep "La Menage" (Q-Tip)
Tiger "Who Planned It" (Q-Tip)
Tha Alkaholiks "All The Way Live" (Q-Tip)
Deee-Lite "Groove Is In The Heart" (Q-Tip)
Jungle Brothers "On The Road Again (Q-Tip Remix)" (Q-Tip)
Craig Mack "Get Down (Remix)" (Q-Tip)
Heavy D & The Boyz "Don't Curse" (Q-Tip)
Beastie Boys "Get It Together" (Q-Tip)
Big Daddy Kane "Come On Down" (Q-Tip)
Jungle Brothers "Black Is Black" (Q-Tip)
Jungle Brothers "Doin' Our Own Dang" (Q-Tip)
Mad Skillz "Extra Abstract Skillz" (Q-Tip)
Jungle Brothers "How Ya Want It" (Native Tongues Mix) (Q-Tip)
Web Sources
Kyle's A Tribe Called Quest Page
A Tribe Called Quest from "Street Heat"
Tribe Lynk
T-O's Tribe Page
Charles Isbell's review of "The Low End Theory"
Charles Isbell's review of "Midnight Marauders"