A Tribe Called Quest Albums Ranked Worst to Best

[@colepitt2184]

“Beats, Rhymes and Life” deserves more respect. We saw a different side to Tribe. A realistic, darker side.🔥🔥

[@neilbottles2597]

Yup! It’s a masterpiece

[@aaronconner6562]

That album cover was dope tho

[@vaneverette]

I love it sonically, but I put it right in the middle of their discography.

[@colepitt2184]

@@vaneverette Why though? Lyrically, it’s on the same level as Midnight Marauders and they introduced a new sound in the vein of Midnight Marauders with a darker, more introspective view. The beats were jazzy just like Low End Theory but more Nu era jazz. Forget the impact of the first 3 albums and look at each album with an objective perspective and rate it for its body of work alone.

[@vaneverette]

@@colepitt2184 the chemistry of Low End Theory and Midnight... is missing. Although Consequence puts forth a good debut performance his presence detracts from the cohesion they enjoyed on their 1st and 3rd joints. Don't get me wrong. The album is a pleasure to listen to sonically, but it doesn't quite live up to the example of its predecessors.

[@KSoloLoso]

The low end theory album is one of the albums you can listen to the whole album through without skipping.

[@anonymouslakernerd7214]

Side note: Phife's mom is a poet. Cheryl Boyce Taylor. She wrote a book called "Mama Phife Represent" but has other good ones as well. If you read, check her out.

[@koleon06]

I flip between Midnight and Low End, but they are definitely their two best bodies of work

[@dawolf856]

Agreed

[@dominiquejones3805]

I settle on MM bcuz I love The Chase

[@mirosaleem2327]

Facts, also I think that MIDNIGHT is an all time hip hop album cover!!

[@juicev25]

For sure!

[@terucks]

Midnight Maurauders is number one for me. It’s their best album sonically and musically. Their lyricism was so mature and the music was just perfect! They couldn’t do any better if they redid it. Beats rhymes and life was actually underrated. Perhaps one my favorite album listening to without skip. I feel that Phife less involved in the project, and consequence emergence mostly in throughout the album ruined the chemistry of the album.

[@juniorjames7076]

MM is my favorite album, but its also bittersweet to me because I could feel that Jarobi's spiritual presence was missing (he had left the group and the toxic music biz) and I could feel that something was in the air. Sure enough, by the late 90s, Hip Hop was turning into a shallow wasteland that I no longer enjoyed. This was the Golden Age of Hip Hop and it was also the beginning of the decline

[@elvinsolano6177]

1. The Low End Theory 2. People's Instinctive Travels and the path of rhythm 3. Midnight Marauders 4. Thank you very much ... We Got It From Here 5. Beats Rhymes & Life 6. The Love Movement

[@brandonmauricejones9183]

The Low End Theory is an epic classic I was 10 years old bumpin’ it front to back while playin’ Super Nintendo & still phukkin’ wit’ it ‘till this day

[@reylopez8433]

Great list & episode👍 My list would be the exact same except I just couldn't put "We Got It From Here" over "Peoples Instictive Travels" bc of the latter's impact. Before that album, hip hop was mostly 808's, James Brown samples, and funk samples. Producers like Pharell & Kanye even credit it as an influence to their style. I would even say it inspired rappers to use more jazz & R&B styled beats.

[@bennisford1712]

Facts...🎯

[@chrisk9994]

FAX

[@juniorjames7076]

I had heard Bonita Applebum and Left My Wallet in El Segundo the summer ('90) before I went to college at parties but didn't know who ATCQ were. I spent my entire first semester in college looking at the CD cover of People's Instinctive... lying around all my friends dorm rooms, thinking it was an anthology of songs from Africa and Asia because of the title. When I finally realized it Tribe all this time I felt like an idiot but I was a life long fan of Native Tongues after that. Nothing can compare to the early 1990s when it came to Hip Hop. You had to LIVE through it!!

[@nicolesherman8974]

My favorite album from them is The Low End Theory. Them and De La Soul being the blueprint for the alternative rap scene >>. Since I brought up De La Soul, y’all should rank their albums since it’s now available on streaming services 👀🔥🔥

[@raboniwillis9470]

I gotta switch number one and two. Midnight Marauders was that one! Personally, it's my third favorite hip hop album ever. It's hip hop's Sgt. Peppers. Buggin' Out is there best joint to me though. Side note: favorite Native Tongues collab is the Buddy remix. Peace king!

[@prograham2222]

I think Midnight Marauders is their best album!!! It’s also one of my favorite Hiphop albums of all time!

[@dianevrules]

You wish.. Its not even better than their first two albums.

[@prograham2222]

@@dianevrules That’s a blasphemous statement!

[@vaneverette]

On any given day, Midnight Marauders and Low End Theory are interchangeable as my number 1's.

[@prograham2222]

@@vaneverette I actually feel you on that! It’s honestly a 1A and 1B situation with me! People Instinctive Travels….is number 2.

[@terucks]

Indeed. To me it’s their most matured and best album sonically and musically. They can’t do it any better!

[@raysinatra8092]

Thank you for this! Tribe is my all time favorite group

[@CulturalistTheory]

No doubt!

[@bencromwell707]

R.I.P. Phife One of My Favorite Rappers Ever & A Tribe Called Quest One of My Favorite Groups of All Time⌚ Great List As Always Keep Up The Great Work💯👍

[@yoshi.4337]

6. The Love Moment 5. Beats, Rhymes, & Life 4. People’s Instinctive Travels & the Paths of Rhythm 3. Midnight Marauders 2. We Got it From Here… Thank You 4 Your Service 1. The Low End Theory

[@deana3449]

Dope - pretty much agree with everything said and the order you had them in...although I would swap the top 2 around. Keep up the good work✌

[@Godfatherpone213]

The low end theory was hot but midnight Marauder will always be my number one

[@Turbobuttes]

Midnight Marauders takes an easy first place for me ahead of The Low End Theory, also We Got It From Here is a fantastic farewell and one of the best rap albums of the 2010s.

[@harrisongarciarosario336]

for me that one is the best.

[@manatarmsslaps]

Good stuff sir.. one of my favorite groups if not MY favorite. We Got it From Here was a solid album worthy of #3 ... My fav is a toss up of midnight marauders and low end.. Crazy that 1,2 $hit was added an album that came out in 98 lol that joint was a b-side on a maxi single that came out in like 95 man... Dope track..dont even remember the acutal single that it was the b-side of but i played it more than the actually released single.. turned around sample1,2 for another song i made with a buddy of mine using the same name lol...just found the single, it was the b-side of Oh My God!

[@trumooch1]

You got the top 2 albums ranked perfectly!

[@mr219gip5210]

I love ATCQ! Their music is not only dope af, but every therapeutic. Rest In Paradise Phife Dawg!

[@CulturalistTheory]

🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@InfectedChris]

Dope list! Can't go wrong with the top 3 in any order.

[@juniorjames7076]

The first time I heard ATCQ was at my friends high school graduation party at the start of the summer. It was Bonita Applebum and I had never heard anything like it, to the point where I harrassed the DJ to play 4 more times. Later that fall, I was on my college campus where new friends introduced me to Jungle Brothers, Leaders, Black Sheep......I was Native Tongues for LIFE. But I still remember that night I hear Bonita Applebum for first time.

[@reefb4364]

For me its a tie for number 1 between Low End Theory and Midnight Maurauders since they were so impactful during my college years which were nuts🤦🏾‍♂️ The first album was cool but wasn’t really feeling the whole album! Can’t wait until you do the ratings of artist like , Nas, Redman, The Roots , EPMD and BDP!!

[@CulturalistTheory]

Check us out! We have Nas, Redman and The Roots up already 💪🏽

[@newelldavis1858]

You my friend are from the era and understand fully the impact of these albums ..back when people listened to albums ..low end and MM are 1 and 2 depending on how u feel ..every other album position can be debated ..not those 2

[@reefb4364]

@@CulturalistTheory wow didn’t know that - thanks ✅✅✅✅

[@anonymouslakernerd7214]

Can y'all do one on De La Soul?

[@CulturalistTheory]

Most def. We got you.

[@phillip_reynolds]

As a kid, I thought “Electric Relaxation” was just the theme song to “The Wayans Bros.”

[@davidjackson8668]

This is bar the most accurate list thus far. Good work!

[@CulturalistTheory]

Salute

[@BigUnk85]

Still 1 of my favorite Hip Hop groups of all time. Thanks Guys

[@juicev25]

Great list, thanks for the video!! But it’s a trick question. There is no definitive answer to which one is better: Midnight or Low End. You’re right either way! Gun to my head, now I absolutely must pick one, I think I’d go with Midnight. But ask me tomorrow and my answer might change. Oh well, you can’t go wrong with Tribe.

[@vaneverette]

Good list. Even when I don't agree, I appreciate that you guys always do your homework on whatever discography you discuss. Ya'll don't half-ass your way through it.

[@CulturalistTheory]

Preciate it Van 🫡

[@ZFGbonehead]

Best solo Tribe project is hands down Q-Tip’s ‘The Renaissance’. It is exactly that. Plus the ‘We Fight/We Love’ remix with Ye and Cons is the gemmiest of gems 💎

[@ZFGbonehead]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZDGf6ppeaamnac

[@dominiquejones3805]

No question, 2 me the album deserved 5 Mics from The Source

[@dominiquejones3805]

Dancin on Glass, The Renaissance shoot the whole album is tight

[@theorderofthebees7308]

I was waiting to see if you put Midnight M. At number one - because that album is incredible - it just flows like water . Everyone mentions low end - and it’s classic but this was taking theory and putting into practice

[@the4deadlyvenoms]

That list was on POINT! SALUTE!!!!

[@CulturalistTheory]

🫡

[@mannycisneros2173]

I put we got it from here in last place... maybe I need to listen again

[@KarlNova]

Midnight Marauders is number one Low End Theory two Beats Rhymes and Life is three I actually think We got it from here and The Love Movement and are at the bottom with “People’s instinctive..” above them

[@retroesso]

This list couldn’t have been more perfect…

[@CulturalistTheory]

💪🏾💪🏾

[@miiiiisvibes]

The Renaissance is a 10/10 I wish it wasn't thaaaaat underrated

[@aaronconner6562]

That album is 🔥🔥🔥🔥 no skips

[@Fleezy81]

Grammy nominated....lost to Relapse

[@reylopez8433]

The Renaissance is incredible. That was definitely my favorite album that year.

[@miiiiisvibes]

@@aaronconner6562 definitely!! It sounds organic, mature, fresh and soulful! It's on the same vein as Be by Common

[@juniorjames7076]

I didn't like Amplified at all, but I now see the influence Pharrell probably had on Q-tip. Not to hate or anything but I've enjoyed Phife's solo efforts much more that Q's which really surprised me at the time. It just seemed Q's efforts were more superficial money-grabs than anything with passion, which I still felt when I heard Phife's solo projects.

[@brandonreed3670]

I get how BRL could be a little jarring after hearing Tribe’s first 3 albums, but I’ve always felt like it was better than People’s Instinctive.. Tip & Phife are rapping so much better on BRL, it’s more mature, and I think the moodier production gives it a more unique feel. Definitely not as good as MM or Low End, but I think I’d have it 4th.

[@Fleezy81]

Gotta do a De La Soul list...... 🕊️

[@deshaunduckworth3982]

Great episode

[@CulturalistTheory]

💪🏾

[@kahjeemwilson9452]

Gotta do De La Soul next 🔥🔥🔥

[@CulturalistTheory]

Working on it 😬

[@davidwilkes661]

It would be great if you could mention the year each album was released

[@RobertCooperTheGallery]

Everyone knows "Midnight Marauders," is ATCQ's best album....

[@juniorjames7076]

Its my favorite album, but Jarobi was missing, and he took his spiritual essence (that was present in the first two) with him. Its my favorite album, but its also bittersweet for me, because I could see the beginning of the decline in Hip Hop during this time period. The Golden Age was coming to an end.

[@camronshean1758]

Q-Tip said Pharrell was supposed to be on the Midnight Marauders album and that Pharrell had recorded a verse for their song The Chase, Part II

[@juniorjames7076]

I didn't like Amplified at all, but I now see the influence Pharrell probably had on Q-tip. Not to hate or anything but I've enjoyed Phife's solo efforts much more that Q's which really surprised me at the time. It just seemed Q's efforts were more superficial money-grabs than anything with passion, which I still felt when I heard Phife's solo projects.

[@mindandthemuscle]

Y’all are finally on point here. (See what I did there?) Even though I’m in the select few that think Midnight Maraduers is #1. 😩🤷🏽‍♂️

[@CulturalistTheory]

Lol

[@newelldavis1858]

I are not in the select few MM is # 1 wit day one tribalists

[@jaykaynum5569]

1. People Instinctive Travels 🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤(Lucc of Lucien and I Don't Eat No Ham n Eggs included). Those Jarobi interludes made that album great. Something Low End was missing. Their first is my favorite 💯. 2. The Low End Theory 🎤🎤🎤🎤 1/2(Brand Nubian saved that album from a solid 4 rating) 3. Midnight Marauder 🎤🎤🎤🎤(We Can Get Down is still a favorite. Still, far from a top 10 from the 90s)

[@reylopez8433]

Yeah CT kinda buggin. I love Luck of Lucien 😅

[@newelldavis1858]

Sorry but ur way off ..I love Brand Nubian but low end didn’t need saving from anything ..MM is an undisputed classic ..what song ain’t banging on there?…far from a top 10 ?…we need the answers Sway

[@shawnt1170]

We need this for Nas Jay Bone Thugs Eminem Lupe Fiasco Kanye Wutang Kendrick Cole

[@CulturalistTheory]

We got WuTang and Nas episodes up already! Working on those others as we speak! 🙏🏾

[@enigmasept927]

When people mention "hip hop classic", The Low End Theory" is a perfect example.

[@CulturalistTheory]

100%

[@theorderofthebees7308]

One of the best native tongues collaborations is the Buddy Remix De La Soul. Tribe and Queen Latifah classic ❤

[@goodvibestv707]

Tribe called Quest 1st three albums are Hip Hop classics 🐐

[@BravoShow]

I HIGHLY disagree about The Love Movement. It's actually one of my FAV Tribe albums. And as far as the tracks on BEATs RHYMES & LIFE, u got 2 out of 3 right. But how can u not like "Crew?" That song is dope asf. Q-Tip's story telling is on point and the beat is hypnotic. I can't see how any1 doesn't like that track.

[@orafapetry]

Just like Phife and Tip, this list is on point.

[@CulturalistTheory]

💪🏾💪🏾

[@gqjamaal8570]

“You On Point, Phife?… All The Time Tip!”

[@hagelsbagels34]

Tribe is so legendary you could make an argument for any album being placed anywhere. I personally think We Got It From Here is their best. The Space Program in my opinion is their most underrated song

[@dominiquepitts9125]

You should do De La Soul worst to best list next

[@RobSkillz881]

I need Onyx MOP Wu Tang solo albums

[@CulturalistTheory]

We got you!

[@Brian00007]

Bone thugs next

[@jaykaynum5569]

M.O.P. or MC Eiht next

[@Brian00007]

@@jaykaynum5569 them too

[@3rdGenerationCancer]

good pick

[@CulturalistTheory]

We got you!

[@Fleezy81]

YO! MICROPHONE CHECK 1,2 WHAT IS THIS??

[@maybachmusicddv]

Love the list. My top 3 Tribe albums The Low End Theory Midnight Marauders Beats Rhymes and Life

[@anthonyc8963]

Midnight Marauders never leaves my car....

[@mondialman]

As a day 1 Tribe fan, Midnight Marauders and The Low End Theory are easily their best albums, and I’m cool with either being 1 or 2, or 1A & 1B. I don’t know how a true fan of the group can say otherwise 🤷🏾‍♂️.

[@raysinatra8092]

Favorite native tongue joint is buddy!!!

[@theeggreat4]

Renaissance Rap would be in my top 100 albums ever. Tip was amazing all over that.

[@Mark-r6v9s]

Midnight Marauders is 1 for me. You said two skips max. I wanna know the two skips cause I can’t find the skip. MM is thee perfect album.

[@PostLikeHakeem]

Switch 1 and 2 and it’s a perfect list

[@thelashaunlove]

I'd just switch #3 and 4 around, but definitely agree on the rest of the list

[@dianevrules]

Low End Theory is definitely the best and The Love Movement is definitely terrible. Thats all that matters.

[@mistahmst]

The Love Movement isn’t their best, but it’s far from terrible. There’s some classic joints on that album.

[@Fawnnyy]

Do JAY-Z, Pac, Styles P, Jim Jones, Lloyd Banks

[@CulturalistTheory]

Good ones. They otw

[@BigNorth937]

We all know midnight marauders is #1 🤦🏿‍♂️

[@greyscale1124]

How does midnight marauders have 2 skips at best but it should be in the top 10 albums of the 90’s? This album is zero skips

[@tumelojeromemusambo1097]

Rakim albums ranked

[@Historicutuber]

We got it from here was my favorite

[@FromThe36thChamber]

2 skips on Midnight Marauders?? Huh? Honestly I never skip songs man, unless it’s just absolutely offensive to my ears. I feel like I’m not getting the full experience of an album if I’m listening to every track then I skip one

[@1aadam]

Any real Tribe fan knows MM is the group’s best

[@titanjake8640]

Hmmmm I think "we got it from here" should have been the last....then the love moment...sorry y'all....just was not fluent to me..I guess I am spoiled since the 90s man. Midnight and Low end. Omg. The bar was set soooooooooo high. Midnight has ZERO skips for me....sheez....

[@RobSkillz881]

Now we talkin 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@CulturalistTheory]

💪🏾💪🏾

[@UTK2911]

Do bone thugs 🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@CulturalistTheory]

🔜

[@CPZBLH]

Am I the only one who thinks Midnight Marauders is better than Low End Theory?

[@bennisford1712]

Once again...🎯🎯💯

[@CulturalistTheory]

💪🏾💪🏾

[@goatsquadtv8786]

I respectfully disagree with "We got it from here" being 3 over Beats Rhymes and life and The love movement! I'm sorry but that's crazy ..We got it from here was ok but It legit fails in comparison to Beats Rhymes and life and The Love movement. Con kills Beats Rhymes and Life and J Dilla...all I gotta say for The love movement.

[@Mr2000]

AWWW SHIT..... YALL BETTER GET IT RIGHT!

[@CulturalistTheory]

How’d we do? Lol

[@Mr2000]

@@CulturalistTheory not too bad... its tribe! Hard calls were made! Do De la soul next!

[@CulturalistTheory]

@@Mr2000 we got you! 💪🏾

[@avid-xv3yt]

Do De La Soul!

[@CulturalistTheory]

Working on that as we speak

[@goodvibestv707]

Real Tribe fans know Beats rhymes & life is a better album than We Got it from here. Let's be real lol

[@masuta1019]

I feel like the only man who appreciates The Love Movement. I discovered the whole discography in middle school 07-09 but as i have gotten older that album has started to become top 3 for me personally. Low End is my #1. You ever heard “Butter”?! Perfect Phife flow plus the beats overall were blowing my mind.

[@ZOWO3000]

I appreciate that thought. I don’t agree by no means but the fact this was impressionable to you at such a young age (middle school) is a breath of fresh air bc the 18 yo me hated this album 😂

[@juniorjames7076]

Please explain why you like The Love Movement. I genuinely want to know. For me, the album represents the end of an era. I remember disliking the "New Jack" '90s feel of it, and I selfishly expected more Progressive Jazz call backs but i realize now that Hip Hop was changing and progressing in new directions that I didn't like. The late '90s/early 2000s are a sad time for me to remember because I experienced it as the decline of the Hip Hop I grew up with.

[@ioenoANSOM]

Beats Rhymes & Life >>>> We Got It From Here

[@LLyrik09]

He said this album has a maximum of two skips at best I'm trying to find out where are the two songs that you skip That's blasphemy How dare you!!!

[@BeeLineInternational]

Tribe was my ish

[@CulturalistTheory]

💪🏾💪🏾

[@vincewilson8969]

Luck of Lucien slander crazy

[@dorianrichard5058]

Tech N9ne ranked next

[@lilamendez10]

MM is an upgrade on L.E.T

[@rong1268]

Switch the 1st and last album and u got it

[@terrancesanders5213]

🐃💩⚠️

[@bigzizzo]

People’s Instinctive was better than We Got It…. We Got It is my least favorite Tribe album. I like BR and L and TLM. Low End Theory is my favorite Tribe album and my third favorite Rap album of all time. My favorite Native Tongues joint is Buddy remix, Mama Gave Birth To The Soul Children and Doin Our Own Dang

[@jaykaynum5569]

People Instinctive Travels is my 3rd favorite Hip Hop album

[@bigzizzo]

@@jaykaynum5569 great choice. I think because of how great the following 2 were, people forget just how brilliant People’s Instinctive was.

[@mistahmst]

Gotta agree. Tribe doesn’t have any bad albums, but We Got It From Here is easily their worst if I had to choose

[@jasonwilliams5550]

midnight is their best album, its not even close to me

[@antoniolugo4727]

I don't have none of thay albums

[@OG_Wax]

Once I saw #4 I didn’t respect the list. What is the average age of the people who made this list??? Gotta be 30, I think yall used modern day standards to judge non modern day music.

[@terrancesanders5213]

Anyone who hears what they heard 30 years ago in the exact same way now has failed to mature....🤷🏾‍♂️

[@Greenery808]

No such thing as a “worst” ATCQ album, all Classics ...

[@ZOWO3000]

As a die hard fan I can’t say they have bad albums but to label them all as classics is a REACH!!!!

[@mindandthemuscle]

True GOAT group. 💯

[@DJShawwtySwag]

First

[@anonymouslakernerd7214]

We Got It From Here wasn't good, sorry.

[@aaronconner6562]

Love movement was better then we got it from here

[@anonymouslakernerd7214]

@@aaronconner6562 I agree 100%.

[@3rdGenerationCancer]

How you gonna rank all classic albums

[@Neego283]

Just because you make a “ranked post” doesn’t mean number 6 has to be bad. You legit said “doesnt deserve your time”. There isnt a tribe album that doesnt deserve your time. Everyone thinks theyre a reporter now.

[@Neego283]

Did you say Luck of Lucien holds it back from perfection? Hahahaha man I dont think you have anything to stand on.

[@Neego283]

And you rated midnight marauders #2. How did you mess this up? You bricked a layup.