Creative Writer With A Passion For Music

A Tribe Called Quest: We got it From here… Thank You 4 Your service

The distinctive, characteristic pioneers of contemporary Hip Hop culture A Tribe Called Quest have recently released their sixth album after 18 years and it’s what everyone is talking about.

Three weeks after its release and I still can’t stop playing the perspicacious album, which strides through its fast-forwarded generation, ahead of its time. Tribe ticks off all the boxes on my list to what candidly makes real Hip Hop music. The beauty of the sound Tribe produces is that they present old school Hip Hop in the present. They swiftly interconnect the romantic sound of Jazz into the feel-good tones of youthful Hip Hop. They bring together the memoirs of an idealistic passion by having a true belief in something, whether it is for love, music or political aspirations. Tribe reminds us that these thriving passions, what ever they may be, do in fact matter.

 

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A Tribe Called Quest, renowned as a musical genius, was driven by the like-minded peers Q Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammed, Jarobi White and Phife Dawg who sadly passed away in March this year. Formed in 1985, Tribe was set for greatness, with Q Tip leading with success at just the age of 19, followed by the unanimous group winning a Special Achievement Award at the Billboard R&B Hip Hop Awards. Year after year they brought out sensational albums leaving their listeners thirsty for more.

There is a clear transformation from Tribe’s first album People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm (1990) fast forwarded six albums to We got it here… thank you 4 your service (2016). Perhaps it’s the coming of age element, where there is a real essence of youth in their previous five albums, whereas compared to their sixth album you can very much feel the hardships, success and groundbreaking life experiences.

People’s Instictive Travels & the Paths of Rhythm is embodied with youthful hopes and dreams. The whole album shares lighthearted content where there is a genuine refinement towards the forward thinking future. For instance, Stevie Wonders’ “Sir Duke” is sampled in track “Foot Prints” which primarily gives the song its feel-good component, which instantly alerts the listener of the groove. This track is the epitome of what Tribe represents. “If there’s a storm that’s brew’in, it won’t keep us from doin/Our thing, as we start swingin’, travellin is bringin’/Joy inside the domes as we hit the road to roam”. Nothing will stand in the way of achieving their hopes and dreams; No matter what problems they face, they will imprint their musical status. And who would have known, 18 years on they are the iconic A Tribe Called Quest.

 

Evolving onto their next journey, Tribe takes on the capability to progress onto bigger and better ventures as they express daily struggles and social issues ongoing through music. This advanced approach proves a success ahead of time over the typical themes of money, sex and fame. This is especially portrayed in “Buggin Out”, one of my favourite tracks from the Low End Theory (1991) album. Moving away from the usual mellow tone, Tribe stride into this tune with attitude and stance. The rap addresses socio-political issues in America involving race and social class. The world is fundamentally ‘buggin out’ due to being so blind sighted by the media and the political government. Tribe is essentially opening our eyes to what is stood in front of us, and this is what we should be so thankful for.

 

After collaborating with prominent artists including Busta Rhymes, Faith Evans, J Cole and Pharell Williams they went on to receive multiple awards and going platinum on their next two albums. So of course when the potential of a new album was announced after a whopping 18 years this was something to get excited about. We got it from here… Thank you 4 your service acts as a memorial to the late, legendary Phife Dawg. However, it was never to be an album of sadness and desolation, but a compilation of celebration and memorization. In “The Donald” especially, the up-lifting tones honor Phife’s memory. In addition, elements of reggae are infused into the track, bringing forth a cultural representation, giving the under tones of the song a personally acclaimed background.

 

Tribe continues to follow their legacy of realists through the recurring concepts of socio-political issues in their musical ensemble. They focus on the racial issues and political corruption. In “The Space Program” as they fiercely rap onto the steady front-line, a virtual reality is created for the listener. Tribe builds up a sturdy tension whilst a sinister laugh leads the track almost representing what they are up against. However, there is true passion and belief in their hearts and souls, even 18 years later, the motivation from their youth still remains; “A small step for mankind but a big step for us”, “Got to get it together forever/Got to get it together for brothers/Got get it together for sisters/For mothers and fathers/Let’s make something happen.”

 

Some critics have commented on how Tribe saw ahead of their time, and almost predicted the US presidential election. However, I disagree. I think it draws down to the fact that not only were they were very intelligent but they also became used to the corruption of the US. And yes, indeed this meant the majority of the people of America were foolish enough to vote for a man who would lead them to their doom. This controversial topic was brought to light from their track “We the People”, another favourite of mine. The song relinquishes an inner youth. Rallying a crowd together and building up a piercing fire in the pit of your stomach. Tribe manages to create comedy out of the unwitting Trump by mimicking the prejudice, shedding light on its ludicrous manner. As they rap “All you black folks you must go/All you Mexicans you must go/All you poor folks you must go/Muslims and gays, boy we hate your way” they highlight the underlying issues of the power of the media and how the brain washing technique is successful in its tragic works. Tribe respectively attempts to reveal the bigger picture to the unknowing, and acts as a spokesman for those who do not have the capacity to be heard.

 

Finally, as the album almost hits its close, “Movin Backwards” invites us into another track of inspiration and memorization. This song especially explores the coming of age factor, where the success and failures in life are revisited. Of course, this is a song of spiritual healing for those dealing with tricky life troubles. Perhaps another memorial to the late, tremendous Phife Dawg, be as it may. The mellow tone through out the tune insists on providing clarity to the listener.

This album has given me great pleasure. You know, one of those albums with a collection of high refinement, bringing out banger after banger. This album has the capability to rile up your emotions, and of course connects to each individual on a personal level. There are rumours that there could potentially be a world tour, although their last tour. Now this is something to look forward to.

 

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