As was par for the course for most Sundays, my mom and I took an afternoon trip to Wal-Mart which would be followed by Simpsons, Doogie Howser M.D., Life Goes On, and breakfast food for dinner. I had accumulated some serious loot from counting and rolling the change from my grandfather's change cup (I'm kinda nice with numbers) and was hell bent on using it.
In hindsight, this Sunday served as yet another beginning, for it was the first time I had ever walked down a music aisle.
I was very knowledgable/cultured when it came to Wal-Mart - I knew more aisles than most 6 year olds would dream of knowing even existed. Children today haven't a clue at what they are missing, go explore! Now I hate going to nearly every type of store, but back in the day there was not a better way to stay amused and engaged. WWF figures, videogames, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, wrestling buddies, anything Nerf, candy, magazines and sports cards were my bread and butter, but often times I enjoyed the adventure of going to aisles less travelled.
Strangely enough, when I stepped up to the music aisles I was a bit shook; intimidated. Perhaps it was the traffic. Or that I hadn't learned how to "fake-look" at something in stores yet. I was a lame duck.
You see, I had always loved music, but I just never had any music I felt was truly mine. Luckily, both of my parents have what I consider to be great tastes in music. My mom not only listened to a wide variety of music but she also was open to listening and trying anything that I brought home over the years. She encouraged me when it came to music, even if it was encouraging me to learn all the words to Alvin and the Chipmunks' Christmas Song to recite to my grandmother.
There were so many choices. Genres, artists, albums. Subconsciously, despite my aisle insecurities, I knew what types of music I was being subjected to on a daily basis - why get that? Instead, I chose to explore something new as opposed to what I had experienced. This marks the first cerebral decision that I can remember vividly making.
We had jazz, classic rock, folk, alternative rock, old school R&B (I had memorized many of the Isley's greatest tracks at 2 years old, 3 at the very latest). My mom loved anything with a terrific singer. Her encouragement continued through the years, hauling to me to Greensboro to the Boyz-II-Men, Babyface, and Brandy show as a Christmas gift as a young child. Epic.
That day I went with what I wanted to explore, purchasing three cassettes:
- Kris Kross - Totally Krossed Out
- MC Hammer - Too Legit to Quit
- A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory
Real talk, I was more excited for the Kris Kross and MC Hammer tapes. At this young of an age, I heard less about the Tribe's, De la Soul's, etc.
I played the Tribe tape a few times through, but it was largely neglected. I liked what I had heard, but I wasn't yet motivated to know it; to learn it.
Maybe a week after I bought MC Hammer I was already feeling embarrassed about it. I still listened to it; I wasn't making paper yet and relied on birthday and Christmas money, my mom only gave me a quarter for each tooth, and it took my grandfather months to accumulate the type of cheese I had just blown. SOL.
I rocked to the Kris Kross album hard for about two months - I mean hard. They went from single to single - "Jump", "Warm It Up", "I Missed the Bus", and "It's a Shame". But a day came when I had grown tired and annoyed with the album (you had to get tired of every album...right?)
With two of my three purchases wearing out their welcome I knew I had to dig deeper with the one I had shoved to the side.
Now I was ready.
"Excursions"
The Last Poet sample from "Tribute to Obabi" instills somewhat of a controlled madness as the backdrop to Q-Tip's lyrics. As much as I love Phife, I can't say I'm upset he is not on this track. I'm not saying Phife would be bad on it though.
Sample referenced:
"Check the Rhime"
See, this song wouldn't have worked without Phife. I love the back and forth between these two. Although four terrific samples were used, Average White Band's "Love Your Life" takes the cake. "Rap is not pop, if you call it that then stop."
Sample referenced:
"Jazz (We've Got)"
Both Q-Tip and Phife deliver in a huge way on what is my favorite track on the album. Such a beautiful jazzy sample from Lucky Thompson's "Green Dolphin Street"- what a horn. The original sample was provided to Tribe from the god Pete Rock, but he wasn't officially credited.
Sample referenced:
"Scenario" with Charlie Brown, Dinco D, & Busta Rhymes
The finale of the album - one of the most quotable songs in hip-hop history. I always look forward to belting out the words at my home, in my car, or out at a show. The "Oblighetto" sample (later used by the late great J. Dilla) serves as a perfect contrast to the destruction ensuing on the mic. Busta is pretty much untouchable.
Sample referenced (:40):
"Buggin' Out", "Rap Promoter", "Butter", and "Sky Pager" are my next tier, all of which are better than challengers' best tracks.
Much to my dismay, The Low End Theory never got old. Great albums don't get old. With so-so albums sometimes I won't go all in on them - I know I will get tired of them more quickly than a great album. I have to space out my listens.
This was my favorite album as a child and retains that spot to this day despite pulling and tugging from the many directions I will share along the way.
I am thankful for being able to say I have seen Tribe perform at Rock the Bells in DC two years ago. After watching the documentary several times now it's even more surreal to see them cussing each other out moments before the performance. I strongly suggest the documentary to anyone who likes to be entertained, it won't matter if you love Tribe or not.
There are a few things I feel like I was born to do; orders between me, myself, and I that are carried out naturally with no pressure or resentment. Finding, learning, knowing, respecting A Tribe Called Quest is one of those things. It brings me close to tears.
We got the jazz is still in heavy rotation on my ipod. Great post
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