Easily one of hip hop’s defining albums, The Low End Theory is A Tribe Called Quest’s masterpiece, blending intelligent lyrics, otherworldly flow and stripped down beats into a sublime listening experience.
Setlist (“Song Name” – Artist – Album)
“The ’59 Sound (Acoustic)” – The Gaslight Anthem – The B-Sides
“The ’59 Sound (Acoustic)” – The Gaslight Anthem – The B-Sides
“Excursions” – A Tribe Called Quest – The Low End Theory
“Buggin’ Out” – A Tribe Called Quest – The Low End Theory
“Rap Promoter” – A Tribe Called Quest – The Low End Theory
“Butter” – A Tribe Called Quest – The Low End Theory
“Verses From The Abstract” – A Tribe Called Quest – The Low End Theory
“Show Business” – A Tribe Called Quest – The Low End Theory
“Vibes And Stuff” – A Tribe Called Quest – The Low End Theory
“Infamous Date Rape” – A Tribe Called Quest – The Low End Theory
“Check The Rhime” – A Tribe Called Quest – The Low End Theory
“Everything Is Fair” – A Tribe Called Quest – The Low End Theory
“Jazz (We’ve Got It)” – A Tribe Called Quest – The Low End Theory
“Skypager” – A Tribe Called Quest – The Low End Theory
“What?” – A Tribe Called Quest – The Low End Theory
“Scenario” – A Tribe Called Quest – The Low End Theory
“Gettin’ Up” – Q-Tip – The Renaissance
Q-Tip is one of the two MCs that make up A Tribe Called Quest on this album. After the breakup of the rap collective, he has enjoyed quite a successful solo career.
“Flawless” – Phife Dawg – Ventilation: DA LP
Phife Dawg makes up the other half of A Tribe Called Quest, most of the time (however undeserved) taking second fiddle to Q-Tip in the album’s flow.
“There Is Only Now” – Souls Of Mischief Feat. Ali Shaheed Muhammad & Snoop Dogg – There Is Only Now (Remix)
Ali Shaheed Muhammad is the third member of A Tribe Called Quest, working on the production side, an aspect of his musical career he has continued with other projects.
“D’Ya Like Scratchin’” – Malcolm McLaren – D’Ya Like Scratchin’ [by Request]
For Haans! An early influence on A Tribe Called Quest.
“Ain’t That Easy” – D’Angelo & The Vanguard – Black Messiah
Q-Tip co-authored this cut on D’Angelo’s latest comeback album.
“Seven Steps To Heaven” – Ron Carter – Dear Miles,
Ron Carter plays the double bass on “Verses From The Abstract.”
“Express Yourself” – N.W.A. – Straight Outta Compton
Q-Tip cites Straight Outta Compton as a major influence on the group’s recording of The Low End Theory.
“Me, Myself & I” – De La Soul – 3 Feet High And Rising [by Request]
Contemporaries of A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul were also a member of the Native Tongues Posse Collective.
“Flute Loop” – Beastie Boys – Ill Communication [by Request]
A Tribe Called Quest heavily influenced the Beastie Boys, and on Ill Communication in particular: lyrics from “Jazz (We’ve Got It)” appear as a refrain on “Sure Shot” and Q-Tip guests on “Get It Together.”
“Poison” – Bell Biv BeVoe – Posion
This song is referenced in “Butter.”
“Black Is Chant/Black Is Time” – The Last Poets – This Is Madness
Excepts from this track appear in “Excursions.”
“Down Here On The Ground” – Grant Green – Alive!
This cut is sampled on “Vibes And Stuff.”
“Love Your Life” – Average White Band – Soul Searching
The horns from this AWB cut are sampled on “Check The Rhime.”
“Making Cash Money” – Busy Bee – The Sugar Hill Records Story
The ending refrain of “Rap Promoter” is a lyrical reference to this early rap tune.
This week’s show will be archived here until 8am on July 30th: http://wruw-stream.wruw.org/archives/128/the-59-sound.mp3