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A Tribe Called Quest The Low End Theory 7 inch Box Set Hip-Hop RCA Black VinylBrand New · Buy It Now$175
THE LOW END THEORY / A TRIBE CALLED QUEST 1991 JIVE CASSETTE 1418-4-JVery Good · Buy It Now$28.95
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A Tribe Called Quest – The Low End Theory 2LP Black Vinyl 01241-41418-1 UsedUsed · Buy It Now$34.99
The Low End Theory is the second album by A Tribe Called Quest, released on September 24, 1991 by Jive Records. Minimal, bass-heavy and steeped in jazz, it is one of the most celebrated albums in hip hop history.
The story
Recorded at Battery, Greene St. and Soundtrack studios in New York in 1990 and 1991, the album produced the singles “Check the Rhime,” “Jazz (We’ve Got)” and “Scenario,” the posse cut with Leaders of the New School that became a showcase for a young Busta Rhymes. Phife Dawg stepped forward as Q-Tip’s perfect foil throughout.
Sound and production
Jazz legend Ron Carter played double bass on “Verses from the Abstract.” Q-Tip cited the heavy low end of N.W.A’s Straight Outta Compton as an influence, and mixer Bob Power cleaned the crackle and surface noise from the samples by hand.
Charts and certifications
The Low End Theory peaked at No. 45 on the Billboard 200 and No. 13 on the R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart. It went Gold in February 1992 and Platinum in February 1995.
Legacy
The Library of Congress added it to the National Recording Registry in 2022, and Rolling Stone ranked it No. 43 on its 2020 list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
Tracklist & credits
- 1ExcursionsProd. A Tribe Called Quest3:53
- 2Buggin' OutProd. A Tribe Called Quest3:38
- 3Rap PromoterProd. A Tribe Called Quest2:13
- 4ButterProd. A Tribe Called Quest3:39
- 5Verses From The AbstractProd. A Tribe Called Quest3:59
- 6Show BusinessProd. A Tribe Called Quest, Skeff Anselm3:53
- 7Vibes And StuffProd. A Tribe Called Quest4:18
- 8The Infamous Date RapeProd. A Tribe Called Quest2:54
- 9Check The RhimeProd. A Tribe Called Quest3:36
- 10Everything Is FairProd. A Tribe Called Quest, Skeff Anselm2:59
- 11Jazz (We've Got)Prod. A Tribe Called Quest4:09
- 12SkypagerProd. A Tribe Called Quest2:13
- 13What?Prod. A Tribe Called Quest2:29
- 14ScenarioProd. A Tribe Called Quest4:10
Tracklist and producer credits: Discogs. Gear credits: Breakbeat Archive, sourced on each credit.
Made with
The gear behind this record, sourced and for sale.
E-mu SP-1200
Drum machine / sampler · Source
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