While the ’90s didn’t officially birth rap music, it sure incubated it and helped it grow. Rap music got its start hundreds of years ago through spoken word poems and in cultural rituals.

Somehow A Tribe Called Quest calls us back to a historic time we can’t have physically lived through - while making us feel like we’re listening to the music of the future as well. At least, that’s what it felt like in the ’90s – their music is still just as good but doesn’t feel as futuristic today.

It’s not the Tribe’s fault their music doesn’t feel like the music of the future anymore, because we’re living in that future. Most of the rap groups and artists you know and love, grew up with The Tribe and used their influence in their work. In fact, anytime you hear rap music that isn’t hardcore trap – you have A Tribe Called Quest to thank – in part.

Creating the Tribe

A Tribe Called Quest came together in the last year of the ’80s but didn’t get recognition until the 90s. It’s made up of the artists Q-Tip, Phife, Jarobi White, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad, who all grew up around Queens, NY. Q-Tip was the only artist who had studio recording experience. He’s the one that led them to record their debut single “Description of a Fool” in August of 1989. That first single came out on a local label. Its success got them signed to Jive Records just a few months later.

Their first album, People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm came out in 1990 and had decent success. It was their second album that put them on the map as Hip-hop mavericks. And it’s still considered one of the most referenced albums of all time. Their final two albums, Beats, Rhymes, and Life and Thank You 4 Your Service cemented their status as rap icons. Unfortunately, two of the original members have passed on, but the remaining members occasionally go on tour to honor their friends.