Urban Thought Collective

ODE TO TRIBE

The best rap group of all time is…not A Tribe Called Quest. Nevertheless, their spot in Cooperstown is firmly set in stone. They were forged during the Golden Age of Hip Hop, and delivered classic track after classic track. There’s not much more I can say about these three cats. You know the story. You recognize the brilliance. So sit back and enjoy.

Oh, who do I think is the best rap group of all time? Nah…gonna save that for another day.

“BONITA APPLEBAUM”
“38-24-37?” Dayum! Bonita was packing it in like a moving company wasn’t she? This was the first Tribe song I really liked. The style was completely different, which made it cool. Plus the groove is unmistakable. But here’s a question. Whatever happened to Jarobi?

“JAZZ(We’ve Got)/BUGGIN OUT”
“Strictly hardcore tracks, not a new jack swing.” God I get all nostalgic when I think of this song. I remember playing football in the neighborhood on cool fall afternoons, then coming inside to watch “Rap City,” waiting for this video to come on. There was just something about that time. I’ve been chasing that same feeling for the last 16 years. Haven’t quite found it yet.

“CHECK THE RHIME”
“And before I get the butt, the jim must be erect.” Oh Phife Diggy, you eloquent wordsmith you. I have nothing else to add.

“ELECTRIC RELAXATION”
“I like ‘em brown, yellow, Puerto Rican, or Hatian.” Me too Phife. I don’t know if a song and its title have ever meshed so well. This track is just so damn laid back, it damn near puts me into a trance. By the way, I love the line about Madeleine Wood. Speaking of former BET faces, who was doper? Madeleine or Sherry Carter? Of course, I mean Sherry before she got pregnant. Nope, didn’t forget about Rachel. She can’t see Madeleine nor Sherry in their primes.

“FIND A WAY”
“Teasing me just like Tisha did Martin.” I wanted to marry the chick with the blond curls. She could’ve taken all my money…easily, and with the quickness. At any rate, this video marked the end of Tribe. For some reason they couldn’t coexist anymore. Tip went on to get ambushed by Ananda for being too vivrant, Phife went on to…yeah not too sure about that one, and Ali Shaheed went on to contribute to the breakup of Lucy Pearl. It’s all good though. Thanks for the memories fellas.

Diallo Tyson is a filmmaker, comedian and old school music junkie. When he’s not busy, he is a rapper with the group “Two Pimps and a Dream.” Step into a groovin’ time machine every week on UTC.