West Coast Connection Forum
DUBCC - Tha Connection => Outbound Connection => Topic started by: Twentytwofifty on July 31, 2005, 03:06:35 PM
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A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Marauders (1993)
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc500/c517/c5174886a6e.jpg) (http://s46.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1607AXPYLTSZU0HQI58CCDP9PZ)
There was a time in the early 1990's though when each album from the collective of Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad (plus mysterious member Jarobi) was anticipated like the 1st and the 15th of the month. After releasing two back to back classic albums in the span of only two short years, many wondered what would be in store for A Tribe Called Quest’s future. Was there any room for improvement after their last two albums were certified hip-hop classics? Could Tribe release yet another classic album? It would be a difficult task to top or even equal their previous efforts. All these questions were answered when Tribe released their third album Midnight Marauders in 1993. Unbelievably, A Tribe Called Quest did the unthinkable, release yet another classic album that was arguably better than their previous albums. Three classic albums in a row! The thought of any artist achieving this is astonishing. While most MCs get lost in the swing of success, Tribe defied the odds and continued to make great music. To simply put it, Tribe pulled off the impossible.
Every aspect of this album is phenomenal. From the lyrics, to the production, it all comes together to form a vibe that few groups can pull off. Some albums just capture that perfect feel that cannot be described by words but is transparent throughout every aspect of the music. Midnight Marauders is one of those few albums that embodies everything that is good with hip-hop. The album personifies a time when hip-hop was flourishing before our eyes and turning into something nobody could imagine. Simply, the album personified A Tribe Called Quest and more importantly hip-hop. Production-wise Tribe continued to display their beautiful, laid back, yet hard, jazz filled production. However, this time around they incorporated a couple of new aspects. These aspects proved that Ali Muhammed and Q-Tip knew how to keep their production varied yet still remaining true to their roots. Lyrically Q-Tip and Phife Dawg continued to progress into legendary emcees, as this album features the best lyricism of any of the Tribe albums. Whether it was Q-Tip slicing through tracks with his socially uplifting messages or Phife Dawg humoring use with his witty punch lines and numerous “5 Foot Freak” tales, it was classical.
This album doesn't exist strictly on it's musical merits though. It's the little elements, often overlooked, that are brush strokes on this masterpiece. Listen to the brilliant way that they disects Rakim's "My Melody" at the end of "We Can Get Down" (http://s41.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=029X022ZPG7BO1RMO3O39FYI5Y). Examine the heartfelt and vividly portrayed description of hip-hop nightlife Q-Tip exposes in "Midnight". In fact, this album is lyrical brilliance by both Tip and Phife on an unparalleled level. Another nice aspect of this album is that the one track not produced by Tribe fits in beautifully. Large Professor perfectly captured the Tribe vibe in "Keep It Rollin" and gave a cameo performance that for me solidified his place in hip-hop history.
Midnight Marauders is filled with nothing but great hip-hop joints. “Award Tour” (http://s41.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=38QRXAGZ1E7TV0OMS66P2471N0) is the beautifully produced track, which has almost become a theme for the hip-hop culture. The infectious production combined with a mesmerizing hook by Trugoy of De La Soul combined to make “Award Tour” not only one of this album’s finest material but one of the great hip-hop songs ever made. However, not to be overlooked is Tip & Phifes lyricism on the track. Both Tip and Phife rip the track with tenacious lyricism that was never seen before from the duo. Tip especially puts out a stellar performance with his verse. “See, lyrically I'm Mario Andretti on the mo-mo. Ludicrously speedy, or infectious with the slow-mo”. Of course, Phife would not be outdone, and the 5-foot freak also gives us one of his best performances on the mic. “A lot of kids was busting rhymes/ but they had no taste/ some said Quest was wack/ but now is that the case?/ I have a quest to have the mic in my hand/ without that/ it's like Kryptonite and Superman”.
Staying on the classic vibe tip, “Electric Relaxation” (http://s50.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0YBQLWJGNKJW427OHHCGD5A8E0) is the stunning track that follows in the footsteps of legendary love inspired Tribe material. Production wise the track is truly one of Tribe’s finest works. Once the enthralling baseline comes in you know you are in for a different experience, one that most artists cannot manufacture. Consisting of a brilliant sample of Ronnie Foster’s “Mystic Love” for the loop and bassline, and “Inside Love” by Brethren for the drums; “Electric Relaxation” shows Tip & Sha’s commitment to digging in the crates. Besides the technicality, the song is just down right catchy and gripping to the point where it says in your head for days. A big part of that was always the catchy hook, which was always had to decipher, “Relax yourself girl, please settle down”, to Q-Tip and Phife Dawgs smooth lyricism.
However, it’s this album's variety in topics and diversity that truly make it the classic that it is. While most MCs today rap about the same tired old topics, Tribe shows the broader side of Hip-Hop. “8 Million Stories” is the simple tale of Phife’s everyday struggles. Even though the track may come off as simple, it offers something different than what we are accustomed to. It offers a more realistic view on life and its problems. Phife vividly describes his stories about getting dissed by a girl, having his car broken into, and even having trouble controlling his little brother. On “Sucka Nigga” Q-Tip address the ever-present racial problem. Never afraid to stray away from controversial issues and social problems, Tip tells the critics that he and the hip-hop community embrace the controversial “N” word. “Other niggas in the community think it's crummy. But I don't, neither does the youth cause we em-brace adversity, it goes right with the race. And being that we use it as a term of endearment”. Other equally great songs that unfortunately never get the attention they deserve, which is hard since almost every track on the album could very well be labeled as a classic, include “Steve Biko (Stir It Up)”, the street tales of “Midnight”, “Clap Your Hands”, and “Lyrics To Go”.
Throughout the years, many groups come and go. However, most leave little that makes them withstand the test of time. It takes more than a hit song or a platinum record to gain longevity and respect in the game. It takes an undeniable love for the art and the culture you represent. Every time you get on the mic or drop a verse, you have to have a sense that the music you are making is representing you. And A Tribe Called Quest epitomizes this statement to the fullest. They are just themselves, and this is never more evident than on Midnight Marauders. Its been said before on their previous work, but it has to be said again. Midnight Marauders is truly a masterpiece. A Tribe Called Quest was in such a groove when they were creating this album and the chemistry they have together is really unlike anything else in hip-hop. This album was commercially successful, artistically adept, and lyrically inventive; the album cemented their status as rap's prime sound merchants, authors of one of the most original styles in hip-hop.
As a bonus review we get the chance to hear what ?uestlove (of The Roots) has to say about this classic:
My favorite of the bunch. The words Classic and Masterpiece often get misused when describing great art. When never-heard-before ideas are executed and a particular mood is captured in a timeless fashion, that product becomes a classic. When an album comes along that’s just perfect, flawless collection of songs, then said album is a masterpiece. Midnight Marauders is a masterpiece. The main gripe among us musician folk was how the hell did Ali and Tip manage to be so damn musical without playing nary a note. Electric keyboards (rhodes) and guitars take over where upright bass had us on the last album. An amazing document, Midnight Marauders is the love moment. Because you must really love hip-hop that much to offer product like this. Now out of control with this time signature thing, they run it to the hilt with two amazing results-“Electric Relaxation” and “Lyrics To Go”. If you can recall the exact detail of your surroundings when you first hear a song, then that song is a masterpiece. Everybody knows the first time they heard these gems. To release a record that changes the tide of music is rare. For two albums to achieve that feat is sheer luck. But for 3 albums??!! Godamn!!!
50. Dr. Dre – 2001 (1999) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=73625.0)
49. Outkast – Southernplayalisticaddicmuzik (1994) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=73777.0)
48. Jay-Z – Reasonable Doubt (1996) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=74040.0)
47. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo – Wanted: Dead Or Alive (1990) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=74218.0)
46. Redman – Whut? Thee Album (1992) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=74531.0)
45. De La Soul - De La Soul Is Dead (1991) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=74834.0)
44. Fugees – The Score (1996) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=75061.0)
43. The D.O.C. – No One Can Do It Better (1989) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=75381.0)
42. Common Sense - Resurrection (1994) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=75589.0)
41. Makaveli - The Don Kiluminati: The 7 Day Theory (1996) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=75939.0)
40. Public Enemy – Fear Of A Black Planet (1990) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=76104.0)
39. Ice Cube – Death Certificate (1992) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=76728.0)
38. Gza/Genius - Liquid Swords (1995) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=77194.0)
37. N.W.A – Efil4zaggin (1991) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=77354.0)
36. Main Source – Breaking Atoms (1991) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=77548.0)
35. Geto Boys – Grip It! On That Other Level (1989) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=78193.0)
34. Brand Nubian – One For All (1990) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=78454.0)
33. Scarface – The Diary (1994) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=78896.0)
32. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo – Road To The Riches (1989) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=78973.0)
31. Beastie Boys – Licensed To Ill (1986) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=78994.0)
30. Ultramagnetic MC's – Critical Beatdown (1988) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=79307.0)
29. LL Cool J – Radio (1985) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=79487.0)
28. 2Pac – All Eyez On Me (1996) (http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/dre700/e771/e771847607k.jpg)
27. Mobb Deep – The Infamous… (1995) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=80115.0)
26. Eric B. & Rakim – Follow The Leader (1988) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=80302.0)
25. Big Daddy Kane – It’s A Big Daddy (1989) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=80735.0)
24. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth – Mecca And The Soul Brother (1992) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=80831.0)
23. Black Moon – Enta Da Stage (1993) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=80894.0)
22. Outkast – Aquemini (1998) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=81163.0)
21. A Tribe Called Quest – People’s Instinctive Travels And The Paths Of Rhythm (1990) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=81368.0)
20. Run-D.M.C. – Run-D.M.C. (1984) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=81525.0)
19. Boogie Down Productions – By All Means Necessary (1988) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=81656.0)
18. Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… (1995) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=81932.0)
17. De La Soul – 3 Feet High And Rising (1989) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=82271.0)
16. Snoop Doggy Dogg – Doggystyle (1993) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=82438.0)
15. Ice Cube – AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted (1990) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=82573.0)
14. The Notorious B.I.G. – Ready To Die (1994) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=82790.0)
13. Run-D.M.C. – Raising Hell (1986) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=83190.0)
12. EPMD – Strictly Business (1988) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=83544.0)
11. Big Daddy Kane – Long Live The Kane (1988) (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=83825.0)
10. A Tribe Called Quest – Midnight Marauders (1993)
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cant fuck with the tribe props on the list
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wow...here's #10....props man
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good album...but for some reason i prefer 'peoples instinctive...'
i dunno...but it looks like another tribe album may be in store for us in the top ten...
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With 9 spots left, I'm 100% sure I know 7 of the remaining albums. Still, it'll be interesting to see what is listed where.
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The Tour Guide has been the only skit/sketch/intro or whatever that I actually dont mind and enjoy listening to. Im always playing this album, well any ATCQ album actually lol.
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what's left?
nas - illmatic
one gangstarr album (can't choose one)
nwa - straight out of compton
slick rick - great adventure of slick rick
wu tang- enter the wu tang 36 chambers
dr.dre - the chronic
epmd - business as usual (not sure of this one)
eric b and rakim - paid in full
public enemy - it takes a nation of millions to take us back
run dmc's first
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bdp - criminal minded
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Classic album. One of the only 4 albums I gave a perfect review to. I am sure we will see Common's Like Water For Chocolate on here.
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Classic album. One of the only 4 albums I gave a perfect review to. I am sure we will see Common's Like Water For Chocolate on here.
No we wont.
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I hope a Gangstarr album makes it.. although I have a feeling it won't.. :-\
anyways, props for #10
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gangstarr will make it in the top 10 it's sure, if it wasn't , we would have seen some of them lp's somewhere in the top 50.
3 classic lp's
Step in the arena
moment of thruth
daily operations
which one?
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what's left?
nas - illmatic
one gangstarr album (can't choose one)
nwa - straight out of compton
slick rick - great adventure of slick rick
wu tang- enter the wu tang 36 chambers
dr.dre - the chronic
epmd - business as usual (not sure of this one)
eric b and rakim - paid in full
public enemy - it takes a nation of millions to take us back
run dmc's first
bdp - criminal minded
thats 11 albums with 9 spots left...
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yup, i gave you more, cuz i'm not sure
Gang Starr's second album is quintessential hip-hop and is easily one of the greatest rap albums of all time. In contrast to their 1989 debut, No More Mr. Nice Guy, which was filled with seriously uptempo jams, Step in the Arena slows down the pace, unveiling low, slow, and deceptively complex tempos along with some jazz-tinged loops and beats, all of which firmly established DJ Premier's slot in the producer hall of fame. Furthermore, the slower sonic pace proved to be a perfect fit for Guru's distinctive monotone flow. The album hits on every aural level, from the lumbering bass and blaring horn combo of the title track to the swirling sax blurts, unnerving siren, and kinetic scratch attack of "Who's Gonna Take the Weight" to the laid-back smooth jazz soul of "Love Sick." Guru's verbal volley can only be described as smooth hardcore, with no-nonsense lyrics that effectively strike a balance between the street and the intellect. Toss in tracks like the anti-hoodlum anthem "Just to Get a Rep" and the scathing "Execution of a Chump (No More Mr. Nice Guy, Part 2)," and you've got yourself a bona fide classic that sounds as fresh today as it did when it was first released
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The Low End Theory is Tribe's best and most influential album.
Midnight Marauders is the third best Tribe album.
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run dmc's first
You should check out number twenty.
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I remember listening to this album for the first time. It simply blew me away. Not many albums managed to do that - so I guess a #10 spot is well deserved once again. Then again, I didn't think this album would make the list, as I'm also expecting The Low End Theory to pop up any time soon. That's three Tribe albums in the top 25. Damn right ATCQ did something right. This along with TLET is my favorite, altho I do think this one does sound a bit too much like TLET.
what's left?
nas - illmatic
one gangstarr album (can't choose one)
nwa - straight out of compton
slick rick - great adventure of slick rick
wu tang- enter the wu tang 36 chambers
dr.dre - the chronic
epmd - business as usual (not sure of this one)
eric b and rakim - paid in full
public enemy - it takes a nation of millions to take us back
run dmc's first
That, ATCQ's The Low End Theory and Boogie Down Productions - Criminal minded...
Another mystery in life solved! Props once again go to Knuckles 8)
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ye i like peoples instinctive travels more, but i know as a fact gangstarr wont make it.
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i guess i won´t see UGK - Ridin Dirty on this list even tho it´s better then most of the albums that´ve made it so far. but props again Knucklers coz it can´t be too easy to make a list like this.
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yup, i gave you more, cuz i'm not sure
Gang Starr's second album is quintessential hip-hop and is easily one of the greatest rap albums of all time. In contrast to their 1989 debut, No More Mr. Nice Guy, which was filled with seriously uptempo jams, Step in the Arena slows down the pace, unveiling low, slow, and deceptively complex tempos along with some jazz-tinged loops and beats, all of which firmly established DJ Premier's slot in the producer hall of fame. Furthermore, the slower sonic pace proved to be a perfect fit for Guru's distinctive monotone flow. The album hits on every aural level, from the lumbering bass and blaring horn combo of the title track to the swirling sax blurts, unnerving siren, and kinetic scratch attack of "Who's Gonna Take the Weight" to the laid-back smooth jazz soul of "Love Sick." Guru's verbal volley can only be described as smooth hardcore, with no-nonsense lyrics that effectively strike a balance between the street and the intellect. Toss in tracks like the anti-hoodlum anthem "Just to Get a Rep" and the scathing "Execution of a Chump (No More Mr. Nice Guy, Part 2)," and you've got yourself a bona fide classic that sounds as fresh today as it did when it was first released
some nice copy and pasting there :D :P
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yup, i gave you more, cuz i'm not sure
Gang Starr's second album is quintessential hip-hop and is easily one of the greatest rap albums of all time. In contrast to their 1989 debut, No More Mr. Nice Guy, which was filled with seriously uptempo jams, Step in the Arena slows down the pace, unveiling low, slow, and deceptively complex tempos along with some jazz-tinged loops and beats, all of which firmly established DJ Premier's slot in the producer hall of fame. Furthermore, the slower sonic pace proved to be a perfect fit for Guru's distinctive monotone flow. The album hits on every aural level, from the lumbering bass and blaring horn combo of the title track to the swirling sax blurts, unnerving siren, and kinetic scratch attack of "Who's Gonna Take the Weight" to the laid-back smooth jazz soul of "Love Sick." Guru's verbal volley can only be described as smooth hardcore, with no-nonsense lyrics that effectively strike a balance between the street and the intellect. Toss in tracks like the anti-hoodlum anthem "Just to Get a Rep" and the scathing "Execution of a Chump (No More Mr. Nice Guy, Part 2)," and you've got yourself a bona fide classic that sounds as fresh today as it did when it was first released
some nice copy and pasting there :D :P
lol!!
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000008FVT/002-1261994-8688020?v=glance
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As I said before, this list is a joke! This piece of crap album is ahead of classics like Death Certificate, No One Can Do It Better and Efil4zaggin?!! What a freakin joke. Did this album even go gold or platinum? wht a joke! I'm seriously going to ask if Knuckles was high when he came up with this list?! No way this album should even be rated this high! It's a joke!
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As I said before, this list is a joke! This piece of crap album is ahead of classics like Death Certificate, No One Can Do It Better and Efil4zaggin?!! What a freakin joke. Did this album even go gold or platinum? wht a joke! I'm seriously going to ask if Knuckles was high when he came up with this list?! No way this album should even be rated this high! It's a joke!
:stupid:
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As I said before, this list is a joke! This piece of crap album is ahead of classics like Death Certificate, No One Can Do It Better and Efil4zaggin?!! What a freakin joke. Did this album even go gold or platinum? wht a joke! I'm seriously going to ask if Knuckles was high when he came up with this list?! No way this album should even be rated this high! It's a joke!
going gold or platinum doesn't make an album great....tribe is classic. If you don't like the list don't read it.
i guess i won´t see UGK - Ridin Dirty on this list even tho it´s better then most of the albums that´ve made it so far.
Was this a typo?
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As I said before, this list is a joke! This piece of crap album is ahead of classics like Death Certificate, No One Can Do It Better and Efil4zaggin?!! What a freakin joke. Did this album even go gold or platinum? wht a joke! I'm seriously going to ask if Knuckles was high when he came up with this list?! No way this album should even be rated this high! It's a joke!
hahaha
and it did go platinum btw. All the albums in the top ten did except for one.
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As I said before, this list is a joke! This piece of crap album is ahead of classics like Death Certificate, No One Can Do It Better and Efil4zaggin?!! What a freakin joke. Did this album even go gold or platinum? wht a joke! I'm seriously going to ask if Knuckles was high when he came up with this list?! No way this album should even be rated this high! It's a joke!
hahaha
and it did go platinum btw. All the albums in the top ten did except for one.
illmatic ;D
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:sign_werd:
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As I said before, this list is a joke! This piece of crap album is ahead of classics like Death Certificate, No One Can Do It Better and Efil4zaggin?!! What a freakin joke. Did this album even go gold or platinum? wht a joke! I'm seriously going to ask if Knuckles was high when he came up with this list?! No way this album should even be rated this high! It's a joke!
hahaha
and it did go platinum btw. All the albums in the top ten did except for one.
400k....that better be Souls of Mischief - '93 Til Infinity...if that doesn't make the top #9...OMGU!
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As I said before, this list is a joke! This piece of crap album is ahead of classics like Death Certificate, No One Can Do It Better and Efil4zaggin?!! What a freakin joke. Did this album even go gold or platinum? wht a joke! I'm seriously going to ask if Knuckles was high when he came up with this list?! No way this album should even be rated this high! It's a joke!
going gold or platinum doesn't make an album great....tribe is classic. If you don't like the list don't read it.
i guess i won´t see UGK - Ridin Dirty on this list even tho it´s better then most of the albums that´ve made it so far.
Was this a typo?
no it certainly wasn´t. Ridin Dirty is a lot better then some shit on this list and Pimp came thru hard on the production tip and Bun came thru super hard on the lyrical tip(as usual). and there´s a lot of other albums that i think should´ve made the list and i think that the list is extremely east coast biased but i aint knockin Knuckles for that coz like i said it can´t be all that easy to make a list like this.
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This should be in it:
The great advantures of Slick Rick
It takes a nation of millions to hold me down
The Marshall Mathers lp
Me against the world
Criminal Minded
Illmatic
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This should be in it:
The great advantures of Slick Rick
It takes a nation of millions to hold me down
The Marshall Mathers lp
Me against the world
Criminal Minded
Illmatic
LMAO
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The list isn't east coast biased....the east coast shaped hip hop a lot more than the west did....eric b and rakim, tribe called quest, run dmc, nas, slick rick, pete rock and cl smooth, etc...all shaped what hip hop is today
west coast albums are still getting their due....the chronic, doggystyle, efil4zaggin, straight outta compton, etc....all of those helped just as much as the above artists i mentioned and are all on the list. But UGK's ridin dirty being a good album doesn't make it one of the greatest hip hop albums ever....that album didn't do anything for hip hop. And saying that an album like that is better than tribe, or paid in full, or mecca and the soul brother is just blasphemy
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As I said before, this list is a joke! This piece of crap album is ahead of classics like Death Certificate, No One Can Do It Better and Efil4zaggin?!! What a freakin joke. Did this album even go gold or platinum? wht a joke! I'm seriously going to ask if Knuckles was high when he came up with this list?! No way this album should even be rated this high! It's a joke!
your hip hop pass has been revoked
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As I said before, this list is a joke! This piece of crap album is ahead of classics like Death Certificate, No One Can Do It Better and Efil4zaggin?!! What a freakin joke. Did this album even go gold or platinum? wht a joke! I'm seriously going to ask if Knuckles was high when he came up with this list?! No way this album should even be rated this high! It's a joke!
hahaha
and it did go platinum btw. All the albums in the top ten did except for one.
illmatic ;D
maybe not, illmatic got certified platinum a couple years ago