Ranking A Tribe Called Quest Albums from Worst to Best

Having previously ranked and rated the discographies of MF DOOM, OutKast, Kanye West and Eminem, it is now time for another huge addition to this series as we take a look a the weird and wonderful collection of music from the Queens natives, A Tribe Called Quest.

Worst: We got it from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service (2016)

I know, it feels a bit peak putting their most recent album in last place, but I just think it's slightly top-heavy in terms of the tracklist and where its quality lies. This sample-heavy 2-part album, which came out a massive 18 years after the one that preceded it, is a double disc where the 1st carries much of the weight. There's definitely some class tracks, like the shape-shifting hit that is Conrad Tokyo with the slick hidden feature of Kendrick Lamar. Lost Somebody was also really cool with a fun and complex piano lead beat. But yeah, the first half was definitely superior overall with nicer vocals, catchier tunes and the messages felt slightly more focused too. Like these lists I have made in the past, I like every album of Tribe's, but unfortunately, there has to be 1 album to kick off the order.

Star Track - Enough!!

5th Best: The Love Movement (1998)

It looks like my rankings would suggest a 'fall-off' for ATCQ, but I don't think that is the case. I found this album really hard to place. Is it more polished than the first album? Are the hooks more accessible than Midnight Marauders? The answer to both these questions is probably yes. But does it have the overall consistency and character as those albums, probably not. Despite having an unusually bland and regular cover, this album is still extremely colourful, fun and interesting. It's ambitious, it tackles a big theme (of love) and executes that in a strong, admirable, hopeful and spirited way. The album is honest and relatable, you root for the MC's. The view of love is positive and something attainable. AQTC come across romantic, hopelessly at times, and bit cute in all honesty. The beats on here are funky and soulful like their other albums, but there's certainly a newer smoothness involved with this album, Common Ground is a perfect example of all of this. Also a big fan of the features on this record.

Star Track - Like It Like That

4th Best: People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm (1990)

The first album slots in around here for me. I think it's awesome. It is quite rugged in its production and even its rapping. Of course, the 80's influence is all over this record, but this adds to its style positively. I believe, the view of what a rapper could be and look like was challenged with this album. It's really forward-thinking and the creativity is incredible. ATCQ comes across slightly nerdy-ish on here, but it's cool to see this. They come across as really easy-going, amicable, self-aware people that are having fun creatively. Phife Dawg doesn't rap on this as much as the later material which is a big reason why I'd prefer some of the others. There's a lot of hits on this tracklist, it's seriously strong. Mr Muhammad sounds like something from one of Kanye's later albums, I couldn't believe what I was hearing from this rap album from 1990. The whole thing is a great introduction to their music and I guess the core foundations of it.

Star Track - Luck of Lucien

3rd Best: Midnight Marauders (1993)

Often regarded by some Tribe's greatest body of work, this behemoth record marked Tribe's 3rd album in 4 years, completing Tribe's golden hat-tricks of high-quality albums in the early 1990's. The commentary and factoids placed in between songs was fresh and cool and completely worked with the music and them as artists. The big tracks of Award Tour, Oh My God and Electric Relaxation all have super-quotable lyrics which is one thing I have always taken from this album. It may lack some of the fire-power of Low End Theory, but I think it is more polished and well-collected when compared to People's Instinctive Travels. 

Star Track - Electric Relaxation

Runner Up: The Low End Theory (1991)

Often regarded by many Tribe's greatest body of work, this album is the perfect example of a follow-up that far surpasses the debut. Low End Theory not only surpassed its predecessor in quality, but I imagine commercially as well. The sampling on this album was superb, I particularly liked the one on Everything is Fair. The consistent quality is in this tracklist throughout, and so is diversity. For every louder moment that is a bit brasher there is one that is calmer and more relaxing. Tribe showed us they can make a focused concept song, again, with What? which is sick.

Star Track - Everything is Fair

Best: Beats, Rhymes & Life (1996)

I'm gonna hold my hands up and say, there is some bias I have for this album. That bias being this was the first Tribe album I properly sat down and listened to. Recommended several years ago now, by my good friend Reece (shoutout Reece), this album has stuck with me and stuck with me. The 2 soulful tracks with the female vocals will always be the hits in my eyes and ears. 1nce Again and Stressed Out are not the biggest Tribe songs, but to me, they are. This album is full of range and quality. A lot of the elements of Tribe that are brilliant are here-in-full. The more wordy and lyrical tracks are here-and-present in Baby Phife's Return and Word Play. The smoothness and funkiness of The Hop makes that song a classic for any era, and we have cool concept songs like Phony Rappers in there too. Keep it Moving is full of personality, Get a Hold has one of the coldest hooks in history and What Really Goes On has an incredible instrumental. There are elements to every song that are to be enjoyed. I also love Consequences voice and delivery which of course added to the playability of the album for me as he's a frequent feature on the tracklist. Yeah, I appreciate it may not have the rawness of some of the earlier stuff, and maybe some of the sampling and beats aren't as intensely Tribe, but to me Beats, Rhymes & Life is incredibly consistent. Maybe it is slightly more of the traditional side of 90's Hip Hop that hits my ears a bit nicer than some of their other stuff from that decade, but overall it is still full colour, full of character, and a unique sound that is utterly encapsulating.

Star Track - 1nce Again