The Low End Theory

:This article is about the influential alternative hip hop album by A Tribe Called Quest. For the rock band, see The Low End Theory. For the 3D animation technique, see low end theory.

Related Topics:
Alternative hip hop - A Tribe Called Quest - Rock band - The Low End Theory - Low end theory

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The Low End Theory is the critically acclaimed alternative hip hop second album by A Tribe Called Quest, released on September 24, 1991 (see 1991 in music) on Jive Records. A pairing of Q-Tip and Phife Dawg's lyrics, at turns socially charged, abstract and concretely grounded in reality, with groovy jazz samples, The Low End Theory became a watershed album in the history of hip hop. The album established alternative rap as a definable genre, distinguished by aware, often abstract or political lyrics, and a light-hearted sense of humor, along with jazz and other unusual sampling sources. The Low End Theory transformed alternative hip hop, leading the way from the jazzy pioneers like De La Soul towards future artists like Common and The Roots. The album includes guests Brand Nubian, Diamond D. and Leaders of the New School.

Related Topics:
Alternative hip hop - A Tribe Called Quest - September 24 - 1991 - 1991 in music - Jive Records - Q-Tip - Phife Dawg - Jazz - Samples - Hip hop - De La Soul - Common - The Roots - Brand Nubian - Diamond D. - Leaders of the New School

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The beats are widely different from the-then about-to-explode G funk sound being pioneered on the West Coast, and shares more of an influence with East Coast artists like Public Enemy. With dominant basslines and sampled jazz horn solos, The Low End Theory has a distinctive sound that met the high expectations after their critically acclaimed debut People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm.

Related Topics:
G funk - West Coast - East Coast - Public Enemy - Jazz - Horn - People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm

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The Low End Theory includes instrumental work from several pioneering musicians, including upright bassist Ron Carter ("Verses from the Abstract").

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Upright bass - Ron Carter

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Topics include the music industry's exploitation of musicians ("Rap Promoter", "Show Business"), music ("Excursions"), date rape ("The Infamous Date Rape"), violence in hip hop ("Vibes and Stuff") and the beauty of jazz ("Jazz (We've Got)").

Related Topics:
Date rape - Violence - Hip hop - Jazz

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The song "Scenario" helped break future hip hop star Busta Rhymes into the mainstream, partially as a result of its popular music video on MTV.

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Busta Rhymes - Music video - MTV

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The Low End Theory was the album of the year for Spex magazine (also #10 on the 100 Albums of the Century). more awards. It was #32 on Spin magazine's Top 90 Albums of the Nineties. It also made it onto the unorderd Top 100 Best Rap Albums of All Time (The Source), 100 Essential Albums of the 20th Century (Vibe magazine) and Essential Recordings of the 90s (Rolling Stone).

Related Topics:
Spex - Spin magazine - The Source - Vibe magazine - Rolling Stone

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