Beats, Rhymes and Life
by A Tribe Called Quest
- Type: Album
- Released: 30 July 1996
- Label: Jive
- Country: United States
- Length: 51:12
- Community rating: 3.63/5 from 10 ratings
Artists on this release: Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Gary Taylor, Steve Swallow, James Yancey
Album Notes & Community Reviews
Produced heavily by J Dilla's mentor collective The Ummah, 'Beats, Rhymes and Life' finds A Tribe Called Quest leaning into a distinctly darker, more minimalist sound. The album is incredibly rhythmic and mellow, addressing deeply conscious urban themes over smooth, nocturnal jazz rap sampling.
Genres
Descriptors: atmospheric, conscious, male-vocalist, minimalistic, rhythmic, sampling, rap, soulful, underground
Tracklist
- Phony Rappers (3:36)
- Get A Hold (3:35)
- Motivators (3:20)
- Jam (4:38)
- Crew (1:58)
- The Pressure (3:02)
- 1nce Again (3:49)
- Mind Power (3:55)
- The Hop (3:27)
- Keeping It Moving (3:38)
- Baby Phife's Return (3:18)
- Separate / Together (1:38)
- What Really Goes On (3:23)
- Word Play (2:59)
- Stressed Out (4:58)
Credits
- A Tribe Called Quest - primary artist
- Jackie Murphy - art direction, design
- Nick Gamma - art direction, design
- Rashad Smith - instruments, producer, music by
- Chris Lighty - management
- Tom Coyne - mastered by
- Bob Power - mixed by
- The Ummah - mixed by, producer
- Tony Smalios - mixed by
- Christian Lantry - photography by
- Mixmaster Mase - scratches [additional]
- Consequence - vocals [additional]
- Dexter Raymond Mills, Jr. - lyrics by
- Kamaal Fareed - lyrics by
- Malik Taylor - lyrics by
- James Yancey - composed by
- Ali Shaheed Muhammad - composed by
- Steve Swallow - composed by
- Tammy Lucas - featuring
- The Outhere Brothers - lyrics by
- Gary Taylor - composed by
- Faith Evans - featuring