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)
Glamour and Glitz
A Tribe Called Quest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the North to the South to the East to the West
I don't discriminate, boy, I bring it to your chest
If you oppose, then your soul will decompose
Strive to get money and I'm not no ho
Fresher than the air that you're breathing through your nose
Fuller than the kicks that you're puttin' on your toes
You can ask Bo, but yo, that nigga don't know
Here's the next chapter, page ninety-five
Niggas so hard, it's a wonder they alive
But yo, we still survive through the danger that lurks
My eyes remain wide while you ask like Urk
And yo, my Family Matters, so all you mad hatters
Put your thinking caps on and motherfuckin' brainstorm
'Cause I got the plan that wins and can't lose
Your man knows who's nice, say Tip, he'll say "True"
A lot of these jokers out here is blase
I'll be rockin' mics until a horse says hey
Some are preoccupied with glamour and glitz
Actin all bougie and making big movies
But I'll be in the cut, call me incognito
Busy makin' joints that will bump for my people
You're listening to a man who was something from nothing
Stay in me forever, head, never be frontin'
Once in a while, we have fun in the mix (never ever)
In to good living, but some be into glitz (true dat)
Everybody move, all the fellas and the chicks (Trigga E)
Gotta wear a shoe that fits (to all my peoples)
Once in a while, we have fun in the mix (Beats, Rhymes & Life)
We in to good living, but some be into glitz (say word)
Everybody move, all the fellas and the chicks (huh?)
We gotta wear a shoe that fits (come on)
Word, check it out now, what? (you out there?)
Uh, check it out now, what? (you out there?)
Uh, check it out now (louder, Louder, louder)
Uh, check it out, yo
Peace to the girl named Hurricane G
Peace to my girl named Dawn Paris
Peace to the Organzied Konfusion
Peace to all my shorties who be dying too young
Peace to both coasts and the land in between
Peace to your man if you're doing your thing
Peace to my peoples who was incarcerated
As-salamu alaykum means peace, don't debate it
Devouring, and towering over fools
Your mic is broke and my shit's cool
The Black man with the understandin' of
The three wise men and the theories of Zen
Yo, I get inside the crevice like a dentist
Disrupt the block like Dennis the Menace
Shaheed is on the needle, the shit it won't weeble
Or wobble, your rhymes is mixed up like Boggle
Bingo, that was the damn dog's name
But yo, I know another one with much more fame
The Phife Dawg, and that's my word to the cipher
About to bring it to your chest and cause strife, check it out
You're doubling back to your rhyming pad
What I represent is MC's gone mad
In a perfect world, there's imperfect acts
We've come like a God to redirect all of that
So people with a gift can just flaunt and get money
So much, we in the bank that the shit ain't funny
Money is invested in real estate and stocks
But not inside the glamour 'cause all of that stops
Yo, this the Cons to the Quence
Up in you like a stiff one, nah mean?
It's nine-five, you got to live it or rip it
So if you step on the streets, keep it movin, nah mean?
Once in a while, we have fun in the mix
We in to good living, but some be into glitz)
Everybody move, all the fellas and the chicks
Gotta wear a shoe that fits
Once in a while, we have fun in the mix
We in to good living, but some be into glitz
Everybody move, all the fellas and the chicks
We gotta wear a shoe that fits (come on)
In A Tribe Called Quest's song "Glamour and Glitz," Q-Tip makes it clear that he doesn't discriminate and will bring the heat to anyone who opposes him. He is focused on getting money and surviving through the danger in the streets. Instead of being preoccupied with glamour and glitz like some of his peers, Q-Tip prefers to stay incognito and make music that his people can bump to. He gives a shoutout to his friends and shorties who died too young, and emphasizes the importance of peace.
Throughout the song, Q-Tip's lyrics showcase his unique style and wit. He references the show "Family Matters" and even makes a playful nod to the popular board game Boggle. The verses also contain interesting rhymes and rhythms that keep the listener engaged. Overall, "Glamour and Glitz" is a powerful message to stay true to oneself and focus on what really matters despite the allure of fame and fortune.
Line by Line Meaning
Yup yup yup
Starting off with affirmation and enthusiasm
To the North to the South to the East to the West
Referring to the worldwide reach of the music
I don't discriminate boy I bring it to your chest
Expressing that music connects people regardless of differences
If you oppose, then your soul will decompose
Warning against negativity and conflict
Strive to get money and I'm not no hoe
Encouraging hard work and dedication
Fresher than the air that you're breathing through your nose
Describing the freshness of the artist's music
Fuller than the kicks that you're puttin on your toes
Boasting about having more energy and substance than the latest trend
You can ask Bo but yo that nigga don't know
Dismissal of a clueless individual
About the dominant factor the accurate rapper
Stating the artist's strength and skill in rap
Here's the next chapter, page ninety-five
Introducing the next part of the artist's story
Niggaz so hard it's a wonder they alive
Addressing the harshness of urban life
But yo we still survive through the danger that lurks
Praising the resilience of the community
My eyes remain wide while you ask like Urk
Noticing everything while others remain oblivious
and yo my Family Matters, so all you mad hatters
Emphasizing the importance of family and disregarding negativity
Put your thinking caps on and motherfuckin brainstorm
Encouraging creativity and hard work
Cause I got the plan that wins and can't lose
Confident in the artist's success
Your man knows who's nice say Tip he'll say True
Acknowledging that the artist is highly respected in the industry
A lot of these jokers out here is blase
Dismissing uninspired and unimpressive artists
I'll be rockin mikes until a horse says hey
Dedication to the craft of rap
Some are preoccupied with glamour and glitz
Calling out those who are focused on materialism
Actin all boogee and making big movies
Highlighting the superficiality and artificiality of those individuals
But I'll be in the cut call me Incognito
Preferring to stay low-key and let the music speak for itself
Busy makin joints that will bump for my people
Creating music that resonates with and uplifts the community
Once in a while we have fun in the mix [never ever]
Recognizing the importance of having fun while also staying focused
In to good living, but some be into glitz [true dat]
Appreciation for a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle versus shallow materialism
Everybody knew, all the fellas and the chicks [trigga E]
Acknowledging that the music and the message reaches everyone
Gotta wear a shoe that fits
Encouraging individuals to be true to themselves and their style
Peace to the girl named Hurricane G
Shoutout to a respected member of the hip hop community
Peace to my girl named Dawn Paris
Shoutout to another respected member of the community
Peace to the Organzied Kon-fus-ion
Shoutout to another respected group in the community
Peace to all my shorties that be dying too young
Honoring the youth who have passed away too soon
Peace to both coasts and the land in between
Acknowledging and unifying different regions of the country
Peace to your man if you're doing your thing
Acknowledging the success and progress of others
Peace to my peoples who was incarcerated
Acknowledging the struggles and hardships faced by the incarcerated community
Asalaam alaikum means peace, don't debate it
Respecting different cultures and religions, and emphasizing the importance of peace
Devouring, and towering over fools
Dominating in the rap game and addressing those who try to compete
Your mic is broke and my shit's cool
Boasting superior skills and equipment
The black man with the understandin of
Acknowledging the knowledge and understanding possessed by the artist
The three wise men and the theories of Zen
Referencing different sources of wisdom and knowledge
Yo I get inside the crevice like a dentist
Skillfully navigating and tackling issues
Disrupt, the block, like Dennis, the Menace
Causing a stir and creating change like the famous comic character
Shaheed is on the needle, the shit it won't weeble
Referring to the DJ and emphasizing the stability and strength of their music
or wobble, your rhymes is mixed up like Boggle
Critiquing weak and unorganized lyrics
Bingo! That was the damn dog's name
Making a playful reference to a children's game
But yo I know another one with much more fame
Playing on the reference and highlighting the artist's greater fame
The Phife Dawg, and that's my word to the cipher
Shoutout to the artist's collaborator and friend
About to bring it to your chest and cause strife check it out
Ready to impress and compete with others in the rap game
You're doubling back, to your rhyming pad
Addressing an opponent who is struggling and unprepared
What I represent is MC's gone mad
Proudly owning and embodying the spirit of rap
In a perfect world there's imperfect acts
Acknowledging that flaws are a part of life
We've come like a God to redirect alla that
Highlighting the artist's power and influence, and using it to make a positive impact
So people with a gift can just flaunt and get money
Believing that those with talent deserve success and recognition
So much, we in the bank that the shit ain't funny
Accumulating wealth and experiencing success to the point that it's almost surreal
Money is invested in real estate and stocks
Managing and growing wealth through responsible means
But not inside the glamour 'cause all of that stops
Choosing to invest in tangible assets rather than superficiality
Yo dis the Cons to the Quence
Introducing the collaborator on the track
up in ya like a stiff one, knowhatImean?
Bringing a bold and energetic presence
It's nine-five, you got to live it or rip it
Acknowledging the importance of making the most of the present and seizing opportunities
So if you step on the streets keep it movin, knowhatImean?
Encouraging forward momentum and confidence in all endeavors
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Kamaal Ibn John Fareed
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tate Buitrago
on Electric Relaxation
another of my dads