In 1991, the group released its jazz-influenced second album, The Low End Theory, regarded for helping shape alternative hip hop in the 1990s. In 1998, the group broke up shortly before releasing its fifth album, The Love Movement, but in 2006, the group's original members reunited and toured the United States. In 2016, the group released its sixth and final album, We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service, which was still incomplete when Phife Dawg died suddenly in March 2016, and was completed by the other members after his death. A Tribe Called Quest was the most commercially successful act in the Native Tongues collective, with all six of its albums certified either gold or platinum.
John Bush of AllMusic called them "the most intelligent, artistic rap group during the 1990s." The Source gave the group's debut album, People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm (1990), a perfect rating of five 'mics,' marking the first time that the magazine awarded the rating. In 2005, A Tribe Called Quest received the Founders Award at the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, and two years later, the group was honored at the 4th VH1 Hip Hop Honors. In 2017, the group was awarded the Brit Award for International Group.
AllMusic critic John Bush called A Tribe Called Quest "without question the most intelligent, artistic rap group during the 1990s", further stating that the group "jump-started and perfected the hip-hop alternative to hardcore and gangsta rap." At a time when James Brown drum breaks and P-Funk basslines dominated hip hop production, the group successfully bridged the gap between jazz and hip hop, incorporating bebop and hard bop samples and recording with double bassist Ron Carter. The group's production influenced their contemporaries, thus changing the sound of hip hop; Dr. Dre produced his highly regarded debut The Chronic after being inspired by The Low End Theory, and Pete Rock stated, "There were times when I would walk into a record store and see Tip sitting on the floor with his glasses on, going through albums, looking for beats ... I was like, 'This guy is serious.' Being around [the group] made me step up and become even more serious than I was".
Lyrically, A Tribe Called Quest has been regarded for addressing many social issues through Q-Tip's philosophical viewpoints and Phife Dawg's everyman perspectives. People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm influenced several hip hop artists; Scarface asserted that it "really made me want to rap", and Pharrell Williams expressed that it was "the turning point [which] made me see that music was art." Kierna Mayo, former editor-in-chief of Ebony, said that The Low End Theory and Midnight Marauders "gave birth to neo-everything. ... That entire class of D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, Maxwell, and Lauryn Hill—and moving on to André 3000, Kanye West, and Talib Kweli—everything that is left of everything begins with Tribe." The group has also been credited for helping launch the solo careers of Busta Rhymes, J Dilla and Consequence.
The group was the subject of the acclaimed 2011 documentary film Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest, directed by Michael Rapaport.
Studio albums
People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm (1990)
The Low End Theory (1991)
Midnight Marauders (1993)
Beats, Rhymes and Life (1996)
The Love Movement (1998)
We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service (2016)
Busta's Lament
A Tribe Called Quest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got dawgs with love and plus dawgs that's packing
So what's the deal Captain, if it's time for some action
Watch me roll with hon, try to push her back
Which one of these niggas, think they fucking wit dis?
Put your money on Queens, yo these cats is pissed
Meaning hot green and stinky, see shorty there winking?
Hit her off so hard, that her eyes start blinking
It's the Dawg For Pres, new star on the scene
And I'm here for the battle, right down to the letter
If it rains today, then it's a double-header
Range Beemaz and Benz, 1100's and Jettas
Phife Dawg for whatever, just get it together
(Just) get it together
Just get it together
No matter the weather, or where you at
This is how we gon' do it, cause we keep shit fat
You gotta
(Yo yo) do it (yo, yo yo) do it
Didn't you read the news, did you heed the alarm
It was good overall, it said that we was the bomb
I'ma make the call, and I hope you respond
We the stars y'all, and everyone beckons far
You a star and you shining, I'm one and I'm rhyming
Let's get together, start intertwining
Yo you coming with me, somewhere where you can't see
with his bonafide joints, underneath the sea
Of confusion and glitter, nobody's a quitter
Try to front and get ripped, from your ear to your shitter
Gon' put it on harder than anyone did
It would benefit you to keep a wide open lid
Making sho' shot shit, making sure you shine
Taking shows for sure, taking hearts in time
Do it all for the rhyme, and the rhythm and things
When we do it we banging, like we inside the bang
Ain't doubting nobody, when we inside the jam
But I'm proud overall, and I know who I am
As the constellation gets brighter this writer's going
(Yo yo) do it (yo, yo yo) do it
The lyrics to A Tribe Called Quest's Busta's Lament seem to focus on the theme of getting hyped up and ready for action. Phife Dawg leads with his rap, boasting about his group's toughness and ability to handle whatever comes their way. He references how he has "dawgs" that are both loyal and carrying weapons, indicating a potential for conflict. He also confidently declares that "these cats is pissed," likely referring to other rap groups who have unsuccessfully challenged them. Phife Dawg is positioning himself as a leader, ready to "battle" and take on anyone who tries to challenge his crew.
The next verse is from Q-Tip's perspective, and he projects a more positive, motivational message to his audience. He talks about how "we," presumably A Tribe Called Quest as a collective, are stars who need to come together and collaborate to make the most of their potential. Q-Tip emphasizes the importance of unity, stating that "everyone beckons far," suggesting that their fame and success should be shared by all members. He mentions how they need to stay driven and focused, "making sho' shot shit," and "taking shows for sure." This verse is less about confrontation and more about encouraging positivity and productivity. The chorus is a simple, repetitive call to action, urging listeners to "do it" and take action toward their goals.
Line by Line Meaning
Fuck the car-jacking, Phife Diggy is rapping
Phife Diggy is focused on rapping and not interested in carjacking or any illegal activity.
Got dawgs with love and plus dawgs that's packing
Phife has friends who are supportive and caring, as well as friends who carry weapons for protection.
So what's the deal Captain, if it's time for some action
Addressing someone in charge, Phife is ready for action and wants to know what the plan is.
Watch me roll with hon, try to push her back
Phife is going to hang out with a woman and try to persuade her to do something.
Which one of these niggas, think they fucking wit dis?
Phife is challenging anyone who thinks they can compete with him.
Put your money on Queens, yo these cats is pissed
Phife is confident in his Queens-based crew and they are determined to prove their worth.
Meaning hot green and stinky, see shorty there winking?
Phife is referring to his weed stash and implies that a woman is giving him a signal of interest.
Hit her off so hard, that her eyes start blinking
Phife plans to have sex with the woman so intensely that she will be temporarily stunned.
Then massage her down, with the word serene
After sex, Phife will calm and soothe the woman with sweet words.
It's the Dawg For Pres, new star on the scene
Phife refers to himself as a presidential candidate and a fresh new talent in the hip-hop world.
And I'm here for the battle, right down to the letter
Phife is ready to compete and fight for his place in the rap game.
If it rains today, then it's a double-header
Phife is willing to put in extra work, even if the circumstances are challenging or unfavorable.
Range Beemaz and Benz, 1100's and Jettas
Phife references different luxury car brands to demonstrate his success and wealth.
Phife Dawg for whatever, just get it together
Phife is willing to participate in any opportunity that comes his way, as long as everyone is organized and prepared.
No matter the weather, or where you at
Phife is willing to work hard and perform in any situation or location.
This is how we gon' do it, cause we keep shit fat
Phife is confident in his crew's abilities and style of music, noting that they always produce high-quality work.
Didn't you read the news, did you heed the alarm
Phife references positive news about his success and suggests that his audience is aware of his achievements.
It was good overall, it said that we was the bomb
The news article praised Phife and his crew for their talent and impressive impact on the music industry.
I'ma make the call, and I hope you respond
Phife is reaching out to someone and hoping for a positive response.
We the stars y'all, and everyone beckons far
Phife and his crew are rising stars who are being recognized and called upon by many people.
You a star and you shining, I'm one and I'm rhyming
Phife acknowledges that his collaborator is also a talented individual, while highlighting his own skills as a lyricist.
Let's get together, start intertwining
Phife suggests that they collaborate and create music together.
Yo you coming with me, somewhere where you can't see
Phife wants someone to come with him to a private place where no one else can interfere or observe.
with his bonafide joints, underneath the sea
Phife is bringing his high-quality joints to smoke with the person underwater, as a metaphor for being somewhere secretive and exclusive.
Of confusion and glitter, nobody's a quitter
Phife acknowledges that the music industry can be chaotic and flashy, but emphasizes that no one will give up or back down from the challenges.
Try to front and get ripped, from your ear to your shitter
Phife warns that anyone who disrespects him or his crew will be severely punished, even physically.
Gon' put it on harder than anyone did
Phife vows to outdo anyone and create music that is even more impressive than what has been done before.
It would benefit you to keep a wide open lid
Phife advises others to stay alert and open-minded, in order to succeed in the industry and keep up with his crew.
Making sho' shot shit, making sure you shine
Phife emphasizes that creating excellent music and standing out is important for success.
Taking shows for sure, taking hearts in time
Phife and his crew will perform at many shows and gain fans all across the globe.
Do it all for the rhyme, and the rhythm and things
Phife's motivation for making music is his love for the art form and his desire to create great music.
When we do it we banging, like we inside the bang
Phife's music is so powerful and energetic that it feels like being in the middle of a loud and chaotic situation.
Ain't doubting nobody, when we inside the jam
Phife has complete faith in his crew and their ability to perform well together.
But I'm proud overall, and I know who I am
Phife is proud of his successes and his identity as a talented artist.
As the constellation gets brighter this writer's going
Phife is continuously growing and improving as an artist, becoming more well-known and celebrated over time.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALI SHAHEED JONES-MUHAMMAD, JAMES DEWITT YANCEY, KAMAAL IBN JOHN FAREED, MALIK IZAAK TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tate Buitrago
on Electric Relaxation
another of my dads