The Low End Theory
Joint Society Review.
Formed in 1985 in Queens, New York, A Tribe Called Quest are regarded by many as pioneers of alternative hip-hop, largely due to their jazz-funk influence. This is notable on their first studio album, People’s Instinctive Travels and Paths of Rhythms (1990), but when the group released The Low End Theory in 1991, they truly came into their own as jazz-rap legends.
Opinions on the album differed, with a third of people stating that they would ‘definitely’ listen to the album again. Another third said that they would ‘possibly’ listen to the album again, and the final third did not see themselves revisiting the LP.
Those who enjoyed the album described it as a ‘very funky, chilled album’ that had ‘melodic lyrics with good meaning behind them and a solid combination of genres.’ Many pointed to the quality of Q-tip’s flows, as well as the memorable higher-pitched voice and delivery from Phife Dawg. The Low End Theory is considered to be Phife Dawg’s breakout album, with the MC providing a lyrical showcase on his solo track Butter. The track, a semi-autobiographical account of Phife Dawg’s romantic endeavours and his difficulty distinguishing love from being ‘played’, was the most popular among society members. It was described as ‘one of the better songs lyrically’ and most people loved the piano hook, a sample derived from Young and Fine by Weather Report (1978).
The album’s final track, Scenario, was similarly well-received, and is celebrated by critics as one of the best posse cuts of all time. Featuring the group Leaders of the New School, Scenario is hailed as the breakout for Busta Rhymes, whose verse was described by society members as ‘brilliant’ with ‘impressive delivery’. Fans of the album also pointed out that ‘the groovy tunes and catchy hooks make the album accessible to new hip-hop listeners’, with Tribe’s laid-back atmospheric jazz and lack of profanity contrasting the hardcore ‘gangsta’ rap that was prominent at the time of release.
However, there were aspects of the album that people did not enjoy. Perhaps the most common criticism was that the album is ‘quite repetitive’ with one person stating that it ‘sounded like one continuous song’. Society members were looking for ‘more variety in the melody and delivery’, and some thought that songs such as Rap Promoter felt ‘flat’ with ‘the archetypal beat of a rap song and nothing much else’. One person fell somewhere in the middle, stating that ‘even though there was noticeable variation in the production, sampling and delivery on each track, the songs might come off as too similar upon a casual listen.’
In terms of lyrics, there were a few criticisms of the album’s eighth track, Infamous Date Rape, with one person stating that it had ‘awful lyrical content’. The song offers a social commentary on the topic of date rape, a sensitive topic which can be tricky to address. The track takes a critical standpoint, with the intention of being an anti-date-rape song. Critics have argued on whether the track ‘furthers misogyny, or simply comments on it’. Although the lyrics suggest that men should take responsibility for preventing rape, it also lacks a necessary female perspective on the matter.
There were also criticisms of the flow on certain tracks, which, according to one response, ‘felt a bit strange as there would be quite a few pauses mid-way through a bar or before the end of it so stay on beat’. This has been described as a ‘rap pet-peeve’ for a few people.
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