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)
Separate/Together
A Tribe Called Quest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Through experience, we tend to exist
That's through our past or our caretakers
The instance is in particular, so you need to recognize that
If you take all this away
And look at us at the end of the day
We stand great among creation
So baby, take these words as a little inspiration
MCs, you walkin' a thin line
Get in your ranks and tighten up as we walk through mines
And plus vipers, phony rhymers and biters
Money-grubbers, beat-dubbers
Amongst a whole host of others
Who be fakin', fraudulatin'
Waitin' for your bacon
They be takin' and skatin' while you sit contemplatin'
Who's your peoples?
Well, let me tell you somethin' now paw
We're livin' a world that's R-A-double-raw
It's crazy but it's true, go for delly is the law
And if you cross the path then you dangerin' your jaw
And if you Glass Joe, don't go toe-for-toe
Yo, all we wanna do is our thing and lay low
So brothers, hold your heads high when you get down
Don't violate these women 'cause we need them around
It's all of us together, not the one without the other
The Abstract is ill, word to mother
We got to do our due, not separate, together
Got to move on through, not separate, together
Got to do our due, not separate, together
Got to move on through, not separate, together
Yo, we got some problems, baby
People stressed out, check it
But we can make it, Sugar
Keep it light and I say
Move on through separate
Not together but together
Not separate, that's how
We got to do it, check it on out
Bust it, yo
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
A Tribe Called Quest's song "Separate/Together" is a lyrical exploration of the complexities of relationships - both romantic and platonic - and the importance of recognizing the interconnectedness of all people. The opening verse speaks to the way that we often see ourselves reflected in our relationships, and how our experiences and upbringing shape our interactions with others. The singer urges listeners to recognize this context, and to take inspiration from the fact that despite these individual differences, we all stand great among creation.
The second verse takes on a more assertive tone, calling out those who try to exploit or manipulate others for personal gain. The singer warns against those who are "fakin', fraudulatin'" and encourages listeners to tighten up their ranks and be wary of those who would take advantage. The refrain - "We got to do our due, not separate, together / Got to move on through, not separate, together" - echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of collective action and mutual support in the face of adversity.
Overall, "Separate/Together" is a song that encourages listeners to recognize their shared humanity and to work towards a more just and equitable world. Through its thoughtful lyrics and catchy beat, it calls on us to put our differences aside and come together in pursuit of a common goal.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes men and women look at themselves and see bliss
Individuals often see themselves as happy and content with their place in life.
Through experience we tend to exist
Our experiences shape our existence and view of the world.
That's through our past or our caretakers
Our past and upbringing also play a significant role in who we are today.
The instance is in particular, so you need to recognize that
Each person's circumstances are unique and should be acknowledged.
If you take all this away
If you remove all these external factors...
And look at us at the end of the day
...and focus only on our true selves...
We stand great among creation
...we are each great and important in our own right.
So baby take these words as a little inspiration
Let these words be a source of motivation for you.
While I kick this shit get your ass motivation
As I rap these lyrics, let them inspire you to action.
MCs, you're walking a thin line
Rappers, be careful and tread lightly in this industry.
Get in your ranks and tighten up as we walk through mines
Stick together and be cautious as we navigate the dangerous music industry.
And plus vipers, phony rhymers and biters
Beware of those who are fake and unoriginal.
Money-grubbers, beat-dubbers
Don't let greed and a desire for fame compromise your integrity.
Amongst a whole host of others
As well as many other threats to your artistry and success.
Who be fakin', fraudulatin'
These people are not genuine and may try to take advantage of your talent.
Waitin' for your bacon
They are waiting for the opportunity to exploit your success for their own gain.
They be takin' and skatin' while you sit contemplatin'
They will take what they can and leave you to deal with the consequences while you try to figure out what to do.
Who's your peoples
Who are your true friends and supporters?
Well let me tell you somethin' now paw
Let me give you a piece of advice, my friend.
We're livin' a world that's R-A-double-raw
The world is brutal and unforgiving.
It's crazy but it's true, go for delly is the law
Although it may seem chaotic, the pursuit of wealth and success is what matters most.
And if you cross the path then you dangerin' your jaw
If you make the wrong moves, you could be putting yourself in danger.
And if you Glass Joe, don't go toe-for-toe
If you're not ready for the fight, don't even try to compete.
Yo all we wanna do is our thing and lay low
We just want to do what we do best and not attract too much attention.
So brothers hold your heads high when you get down
Be proud of who you are and don't let the industry get you down.
Don't violate these women cuz we need them around
Respect women and treat them as equals, as they are an important part of the music industry.
It's all of us together, not the one without the other
We all need each other to succeed in the music industry.
The Abstract is ill, word to mother
This is a shoutout to Q-Tip, one of the members of A Tribe Called Quest.
We got to do our due, not separate, together
We all have work to do, and we must do it collaboratively.
Got to move on through, not separate, together
We must keep pushing forward as a united front.
Yo, we got some problems baby
The music industry can be difficult and problematic.
People stressed out, check it
People are feeling the pressure and stress of the industry.
But we can make it Sugar
But if we work together, we can overcome these obstacles.
Keep it light and I say
Let's not take things too seriously and approach problems with a positive attitude.
Move on through separate
Let's navigate these challenges individually...
Not together but together
...but with the knowledge that we are all in this together.
That's how we got to do it, check it on out
This is the approach we must take to succeed, so let's get to work!
Bust it, yo
Now listen up, I'm going to lay down some more knowledge...
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
...so pay attention and let's get inspired to create something great!
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Ali Shaheed Jones-Muhammad, James Brown, Kamaal Ibn John Fareed, Malik Izaak Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tate Buitrago
on Electric Relaxation
another of my dads