The Low End Theory is regarded as one of the most influential albums in hip-hop history, with Corbin Reiff of Complex declaring that it "broke major ground and pushed the sonic envelope of the entire rap genre." [56] It has been stated to have helped shape alternative hip-hop in the 1990s, as the group's "mellow innovations" helped jazz rap gain significant exposure from 1992 to 1993. [57] [58] [59] With the album, the group is credited for showcasing how hip-hop was made before commercial success influenced many rappers' creativity, and for challenging the "macho posturing" of hardcore and gangsta rap. [27] [31] [60] a b c "20 Facts About A Tribe Called Quest's 'The Low End Theory' ". Vibe. September 24, 2016 . Retrieved October 6, 2017. British album certifications – A Tribe Called Quest – The Low End Theory". British Phonographic Industry. Dave Heaton of PopMatters stated that the album is "the point where their sound truly came together", also describing it as a "remarkable experience, as aesthetically and emotionally rewarding as any work of music I can think of." [20] Preezy Brown of Vibe called it a "tour de force of groundbreaking rap tunes" and a "signature record in the group's superior discography." [43] For Time's All-Time 100 Albums, writer Josh Tyrangiel described the album as a "grand exception" to jazz rap being "more wishful thinking on the part of critics than anything actual", also calling it "socially conscious without being dull." [44] Accolades [ edit ]

a b c d e f Bush, John. "The Low End Theory – A Tribe Called Quest". AllMusic . Retrieved November 14, 2015.a b "Producers Speak on the Influence of A Tribe Called Quest's The Low End Theory". XXL. September 24, 2011 . Retrieved October 6, 2017. a b c d e Chavez, Danette (March 23, 2016). "R.I.P. Malik "Phife Dawg" Taylor, co-founder of A Tribe Called Quest". The A.V. Club . Retrieved October 6, 2017. Wang, Oliver (2003). Classic Material: The Hip-Hop Album Guide. Entertainment, Culture, Writing Press. p. 102. ISBN 1-55022-561-8. a b Christgau, Robert (2000). "A Tribe Called Quest: The Low End Theory". Christgau's Consumer Guide: Albums of the '90s. Macmillan Publishers. ISBN 0-312-24560-2 . Retrieved October 11, 2020.

Upon its release, The Low End Theory received widespread critical acclaim. It was awarded a perfect five mic rating in The Source, with reviewer Reef lauding their "progressive sound" and "streetwise edge", adding that "there's no sophomore jinx to be found here—only real hip-hop." [24] Iestyn George of NME praised the album as a "quantum leap" from People's Instinctive Travels, noting, "Gone are the quirky samples that gave them their lighter edge, replaced by stark, hard-hitting beats." George also credited Q-Tip and Phife Dawg for "trading lines like psychic sparring partners", as they "pause, interject, charm and challenge with understated aplomb." [23] In the years since its release, The Low End Theory has received further widespread acclaim from music critics and writers, many of whom regard it as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time. [30] [31] [41] In The New Rolling Stone Album Guide, writer Mac Randall lauded it as a "hip-hop masterpiece." [42] AllMusic writer John Bush, who declared it "the most consistent and flowing hip-hop album ever recorded", stated that the record "outdid all expectations and has held up as perhaps the best hip-hop LP of all time." [27] Bush also praised the group's use of the double bass, drums and samples: "It's a tribute to their unerring production sense that, with just those few tools, Tribe produced one of the best hip-hop albums in history, a record that sounds better with each listen. The Low End Theory is an unqualified success, the perfect marriage of intelligent, flowing raps to nuanced, groove-centered productions." [19] Writing for The Quietus, Angus Batey summed up the album's broad appeal: a b c Savage, Mark (March 23, 2016). "Tribe Called Quest star Phife Dawg dies aged 45". BBC News . Retrieved October 6, 2017.a b c d Hart, Ron (September 21, 2016). "A Tribe Called Quest Sparked Hip-Hop's Love Affair With Jazz on 'Low End Theory' ". The New York Observer . Retrieved October 6, 2017.

Excursions" contains samples from "Time Is Running Out" performed by The Last Poets and written by Omar Ben Hassen. Watrous, Peter (October 23, 1991). " The Pop Life". The New York Times. Accessed November 11, 2008. A Tribe Called Quest returned with their sophomore album The Low End Theory in 1996. The album offers a minimalist sound that combines bass, drum breaks and jazz samples. Lyrically, the album features social commentary, word play, humor and interplay between group members Q-Tip and Phife Dawg.Murphy, Keith (March 23, 2016). "Phife Dawg: Memories Of Native Tongues' Five Foot Assassin". Vibe . Retrieved October 6, 2017. Christgau, Robert (2000). "A Tribe Called Quest: Midnight Marauders". Christgau's Consumer Guide: Albums of the '90s. Macmillan Publishers. ISBN 0-312-24560-2. Best Albums of the Nineties: A Tribe Called Quest, 'The Low End Theory' | Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012 . Retrieved 2012-01-03. Manufactured for Vinyl Me, Please by Sony Music Entertainment, 25 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010-8601

Moon, Tom (October 20, 1991). "A Tribe Called Quest: The Low End Theory (Jive)". The Philadelphia Inquirer. In a 2015 interview with Rolling Stone , Phife remembered, “A couple of months before we started working on Low End, I just happened to run into Q-Tip on the train leaving from Queens going into Manhattan. He was like, ‘Yo, I’m about to start recording this next album. I want you on a couple of songs, but you have to take it serious.’… I took that into consideration along with the last couple of shows we did for that first album. I saw how fruitful things could get.” a b " 153. A Tribe Called Quest, 'The Low End Theory'". Rolling Stone (2012). Accessed December 26, 2017. The Rapping: As actual technical rappers, I can't say Phife or Tip are the most amazing rappers, they don't have that incredibly hard hitting wordplay like Pharoahe Monch (who I still hold as an incredible MC who's terribly underrated.) nor that incredible blasting presence (i.e GZA or Ghostface, who isn't that great but has stage presence). However I can't deny, these guys are smooth as butter. Really, they've got some excellent flow, great lyrics and some very good wordplay. I'd say these two also have some fantastic chemistry too, they play off each other constantly, it really is a joy to hear. No complaints here, it's also very nice that they actually go with the beat very well. This is something some rappers should take note of. Also I really do like their subject matter, even when they're talking about women. It works. It's thoughtful. It really is nice. Admittedly it's not the most cerebral of rhymes but I still find that they know how to be one with the beat. And it's clear that Q-Tip blows Phife away, but still neither disappoint. Far from it. I'll say this though, this is one of those albums that you have to listen to a few times to start liking it more. Seidman, Lacey (July 26, 2013). "VH1 ALBUM-VERSARIES: A Tribe Called Quest Reminisces About The Low End Theory At 20 (PART II of II)". VH1 . Retrieved August 13, 2021.

Tracklist

a b c d e f g h i j Cowie, Del F. (February 2008). " A Tribe Called Quest - Verses from the Abstract". Exclaim!. Accessed December 28, 2008. Facts About A Tribe Called Quest's 'The Low End Theory' ". Vibe. September 24, 2016 . Retrieved October 6, 2017.