Old Skool's Finest

A Tribe Called Quest was formed in 1985 in Queens, NY. A.T.C.Q. consists of Q-tip, Phife Dawg (a.ka. the Five Foot Assassin because he is 5'3'') , and their DJ, Ali Shaheed Muhammed. They had a forth member Jarobi White who left the group after their first album. A.T.C.Q.'s music has a strong jazz influence, intellectual lyrics, and catchy hooks. For their time they were a very intellectual rap group and were also very lyrically advanced. This was during the time where rap was becoming violent and "gangsta" rap was emerging from the west. A Tribe was breaking mold with their new style of rap. Their influences can be seen in today's rap. In my opinion their would be no Lupe, Wale, or even Kanye without A Tribe Called Quest.

Here is a classic, "Scenario" from their "Low End Theory" Album. Leaders of a New School are featured in this song (Charlie Brown, Dinco D, and Busta Rhymes). Also check out the "old skool" style which you can see has an influence on the styles of today. Enjoy... (Leon)