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 Hillβand moving on to AndrΓ© 3000, Kanye West, and Talib Kweliβeverything 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)
Dis Generation
A Tribe Called Quest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Status, Chris Paul and John Wall in the league
Grabbin' mics till the knuckles would bleed, 'cause I believe
The potent that I'm quoting will have you geeked like speed
If rationale is naturale or a weave
It's all edges and peas
Settin' press, we on a permanent steez
I'm in a world where my princess is Leia
And she feeling my Vader
And my lure grows greater and greater
Chem trails droppin' poisonous vapors
Have you shaking like gator
Been trill, nigga, process the data
Blu-ray wave file or a beta, I'll DVR for later
Kappo Massa with my G to my waiter
You can't define us, XY us, or Z us, you generational
Elitists have your chi in virtual think pieces
See, these written words are poetical science, brains defiant
Thoughts heavy, baby, they're a major appliance
Leave a dent when dropping the flyness, fluent giant
Dude's nice, he tight, screwed in with some pliers
Cool with some buyers, yeah, nigga, cool with some growers
Never no tattletales, only I don't knowers
We a show me generation, show us what you gon' show us
So listen, mami, see we could collude with a boing
Mouthpiece like Goins, with a jubilant noise
Dude's rude and as useless as coins, shoot 'em boys
Versed in, rehearsed in the soothing of loins
Talk to Joey, Earl, Kendrick, and Cole, gatekeepers of flow
They are extensions of instinctual soul
It's the highest in commodity grade and you could get it today
Dis generation
Rules di nation
One hiting reading pages of Poe
Telly is low, cuddle bunny ready to go
Day of the dead, bury all the zombies instead
And it's just your aftermath, Busta cutting your dreads
Bruce Lee'in niggas, while y'all niggas UFC
Smoke tree on niggas, sizzle out your USB
Surge pricin' on these Ubers, I'mma get me a cab
Yo, where Jarobi at?
Imbibing on impeccable grass
I be in NYC waiting for that law to pass
Past shit been waiting for a Jet's title since last
Richard Todd, Todd Bowles, gang green on that ass
Magic Mike on the mic, David Blaine, Douglas Henning
In the church of Busta Rhymes it's my sermon you're getting
Horizontal spittin', I'm the exorcist of your writtens
Don't interrupt me, nigga
Sorry, that's a sin unforgiven
Like how we be skipping on beats like cooking crack in the kitchen
Wait
Just spit the package, dry it bag up the wet
This mad city's not a game, easy, quiet on set
Phife, student of the past, trailblazing a daze
Not acknowledging a trend or swept up in a phase
We still the highest of commodity grade, and you could get it get it get it get it today
Dis generation
Rules di nation
This is our generation, generation, ah
This our generation, generation, ah
This our generation, generation, ah
The song Dis Generation by A Tribe Called Quest is a commentary on the current state of the hip-hop industry and the role of their generation in shaping it. The opening lines boast about their skills as rappers, with references to basketball players Chris Paul and John Wall as metaphors for their prowess. The lyrics also touch on themes like race, politics, and technology. The reference to "poisonous vapors" and "chem trails" shows concern about environmental issues, while the line "XY us, or Z us" is a reference to the generational divide between baby boomers and millennials. The chorus "Dis generation, rules di nation" asserts their dominance and relevance in the current era.
The verse that name drops Joey, Earl, Kendrick, and Cole highlights the importance of these young rappers in carrying on the legacy of hip-hop and keeping it relevant. The line "extensions of instinctual soul" is a nod to the roots of hip-hop in African-American culture and music. The lyrics also touch on the commercialization of the genre, with lines like "We still the highest of commodity grade," emphasizing the value of their authenticity and artistic integrity.
Overall, Dis Generation is a celebration of the power of hip-hop and the role of their generation in shaping and carrying on the tradition.
Line by Line Meaning
Handle rocks with the capital G, ball on the beat
I excel at rapping and have a great rhythm.
Status, Chris Paul and John Wall in the league
I am at the top of my game, like basketball stars Chris Paul and John Wall in the NBA.
Grabbin' mics till the knuckles would bleed, 'cause I believe
I'm willing to work hard and push myself to achieve excellence in my music.
The potent that I'm quoting will have you geeked like speed
My lyrics are powerful and will have a strong effect on listeners.
If rationale is naturale or a weave
Whether my reasoning is natural or artificial does not matter.
It's all edges and peas
It's all about the details and the effort put into my work.
Settin' press, we on a permanent steez
I am constantly working to improve and stay ahead of the game.
I'm in a world where my princess is Leia
I see myself as the hero who wins the heart of the princess, like in Star Wars.
And she feeling my Vader
She is attracted to my dark side, like Darth Vader.
And my lure grows greater and greater
I am becoming more and more appealing to others as I hone my craft.
Chem trails droppin' poisonous vapors
We are being exposed to toxic chemicals in the air.
Have you shaking like gator
These chemicals can have a detrimental effect on our health and well-being.
Been trill, nigga, process the data
I have been successful and have learned a lot through hard work and analysis.
Blu-ray wave file or a beta, I'll DVR for later
I am adaptable and prepared for new technology, whether it is Blu-ray, Beta, or DVR.
Kappo Massa with my G to my waiter
I am living a life of luxury and have an assistant toattend to my needs.
You can't define us, XY us, or Z us, you generational
My generation cannot be easily defined or categorized by gender or age.
Elitists have your chi in virtual think pieces
The elite are trying to control our thoughts and beliefs through online think pieces.
See, these written words are poetical science, brains defiant
My lyrics are both artistic and intellectual, and challenge conventional thinking.
Thoughts heavy, baby, they're a major appliance
My ideas are substantial and important, like household appliances.
Leave a dent when dropping the flyness, fluent giant
My music makes an impact and I am skilled at communicating my message.
Dude's nice, he tight, screwed in with some pliers
I am highly skilled and precise, like something that has been tightly screwed in with pliers.
Cool with some buyers, yeah, nigga, cool with some growers
I am popular and respected by both consumers and creators in the music industry.
Never no tattletales, only I don't knowers
I keep my personal life private and do not gossip, but also have the ability to play dumb when necessary.
We a show me generation, show us what you gon' show us
My generation is interested in seeing what others can offer us, and we are constantly looking for new experiences.
So listen, mami, see we could collude with a boing
Listen, girl, we could make a great team.
Mouthpiece like Goins, with a jubilant noise
I am articulate and persuasive, and able to make a great impression on others.
Dude's rude and as useless as coins, shoot 'em boys
Someone who is rude and unhelpful is not worth our time and energy.
Versed in, rehearsed in the soothing of loins
I am skilled in the art of seduction and know how to arouse people.
Talk to Joey, Earl, Kendrick, and Cole, gatekeepers of flow
Talk to other successful rappers like Joey, Earl, Kendrick, and Cole, who have a lot of control over the music industry.
They are extensions of instinctual soul
These rappers are highly skilled and in tune with their creative instincts.
It's the highest in commodity grade and you could get it today
My music is the best of the best and is easily accessible to anyone who wants it.
One hiting reading pages of Poe
I am so talented that I can multitask by reading literature while also delivering powerful lyrics.
Telly is low, cuddle bunny ready to go
I am relaxed and ready to perform, like a cuddly teddy bear.
Day of the dead, bury all the zombies instead
We should focus on celebrating the living, rather than glorifying the dead.
And it's just your aftermath, Busta cutting your dreads
If you try to mess with me or my music, Busta (a skilled rapper) will come after you.
Bruce Lee'in niggas, while y'all niggas UFC
I am skilled like Bruce Lee, while others are just trying to keep up like UFC fighters.
Smoke tree on niggas, sizzle out your USB
My music is so powerful that it can cause electronic devices to malfunction.
Surge pricin' on these Ubers, I'mma get me a cab
I'm so successful that I don't have to worry about surge pricing on ride-sharing apps.
Yo, where Jarobi at?
Someone is looking for Jarobi, a member of A Tribe Called Quest.
Imbibing on impeccable grass
I am enjoying high-quality marijuana.
I be in NYC waiting for that law to pass
I am eagerly waiting for the legalization of marijuana in New York City.
Past shit been waiting for a Jet's title since last
I've been waiting a long time for the New York Jets to win a championship.
Richard Todd, Todd Bowles, gang green on that ass
These are names associated with the New York Jets football team.
Magic Mike on the mic, David Blaine, Douglas Henning
These are all successful performers.
In the church of Busta Rhymes it's my sermon you're getting
My music is so powerful that it can be compared to a religious sermon.
Horizontal spittin', I'm the exorcist of your writtens
My lyrics are so intense and powerful that they can exorcise demons from your written work.
Don't interrupt me, nigga
I am in command of the situation and should not be interrupted.
Sorry, that's a sin unforgiven
Interrupting me is a serious offense that cannot be forgiven.
Like how we be skipping on beats like cooking crack in the kitchen
My music is so innovative that we are constantly breaking the rules, like skipping beats.
Wait
I want you to pause for a moment and really listen to what I'm saying.
Just spit the package, dry it bag up the wet
Let's focus on delivering the goods and making sure everything is high-quality.
This mad city's not a game, easy, quiet on set
The music industry is highly competitive and we need to stay focused and alert.
Phife, student of the past, trailblazing a daze
Phife (deceased member of A Tribe Called Quest) was highly knowledgeable and innovative in his music.
Not acknowledging a trend or swept up in a phase
We do not follow trends or blindly jump on bandwagons.
We still the highest of commodity grade, and you could get it get it get it get it today
My music is still the best of the best and is easily accessible to anyone who wants it.
This is our generation, generation, ah
We are proud of our generation and the impact we are making on the world.
This our generation, generation, ah
We are unique and innovative, and have a lot to offer the world.
This our generation, generation, ah
We are making our mark and are not to be underestimated.
Lyrics Β© MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BROADWAY MUSIC CORPORATION, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Fitzroy Simpson, George Bennett, Huford Brown, Jackie Mittoo, Jarobi White, Kamaal Fareed, Leroy Sibblis, Lloyd Ferguson, Luis Alberto Spinetta, Malik Izaak Taylor, Robert Lyn, Trevor Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
patrickJMT
So great to see these guys still cranking out amazing music.
And kudos to the director of the video as it is simply awesome.
I loved growing up on MTV videos when they first started airing in the 80's, only to see the channel slowly turn into reality tv instead of being about music.
For a while there was no good place to see videos like this so it is amazing to me to see people making such quality videos after a bit of a drought.
James Q
I LOVE YOU! You have helped me and probably countless others with your videos!!!!
Camila Iglesias
RUIDO DE MAGIA <3
DISCO-INFERNO-70
This album didn't get the respect it deserved.
This is better than anything that came out in the past decade, and is a love letter to fans of the golden age of Hip Hop.
BLU VISHEN PRODUCTIONS
DISCO-INFERNO-70 it went gold thatβs good for a group thatβs been away for 18 yrs now u tell what group can disappear for almost 20 yrs come back in the game and go gold
LizBeth
So true!
Jaycee
Itβs a great album but this song is literally about rappers that are great this generation. Iβd argue GKMC, TPAB, 2014FHD, and others are better.
Alfredo Mata
This album will age really well. Like fine wine. I didn't give it its proper appreciation when it first released, but it's all I've been listening to recently. What an album to go out with. ATCQ is truly one of kind. RIP Phife.
Baraka Longmire
FACTS!!!!
Whitebrowpriest
This song was criminally underrated.