ATCQ Anthology album is what I got to know more about the bio and discog of this uptown posse that compose of Phife, Ali, and the well-known solo artist, Q-tip. This album has a some good hits from their past albums, some even better than "Find a Way": "Scenario", "Electric Relaxation", "Jazz (We've Got)", and my now-personal favorite, "Bonita Applegum". I don't what to think of that song, it's just so enganging and giddy, even saying the dang title makes me blush. What I don't like in Anthology is when I realized that most of the tracks I like are 3-4 minutes long, and though it's not a bad thing, I prefer to have the songs a little longer.

There are a few uninspiring tracks in Anthology. "Hot Sex" is short and rushed, I didn't get the latin feel in "I Left My Wallet In El Segundo", and don't get me started with "Vivrant Thing", that poor excuse of a commercial hit.

Anyway, the ATCQ Anthology is a 5-star, genuine, hip-hop 'greatest hits' album that'll appeal to a lot of the ol' school purists and the new generation alike, but because of the uninspiring tracks, I wouldn't say it's perfect. But hey, nothing's perfect. Get the album, dog, you'll flip for this shizzle.

the illest best of album out!
If you're a true ATCQ fan, i gurantee you won't be disappointed. All the hottest joints ever released by the group are on the album including my favorite of all time check the rhyme. Also includes the banging hits "can i kick it" and "scenario" featuring LONS! Listening to the album will take you to an era where hip hop became a more creative art form, rather than a controversial form of music. All the greatest hits from every Tribe album out: "Peoples Instinctive Travels..."(can i kick it, bonnita applebum, i left my wallet..., luck of lucien), "Low End Theory" (check the rhyme, jazz,buggin out, scenario), "Midnight Marauders" (oh my god, electric relaxation, award tour), and "The Love Movement" (find a way). Every track brought back a lot of great memories as any great album should. If you're the biggest hip hop fan or an occasional hip hop listener i gurantee that this album will be on your top ten favorite list for a while.....A MUST BUY!

It was cool...
When you're little, you don't really understand everything that artists were talking about. I bobbed my head cause my big brother bobbed his head. I said I liked this song cause he said he liked this song. I was listening to 92.3 Jamz (Chicago radio station) and they were playing all old school hip-hop. I started reciting the words to some of these songs, thinking "Man, that was clever. He said that. She did that!" and just went on an old-school shopping spree. I bought this cd a couple of weeks ago with the hope of continuing where 92 Jamz left off in addition to being tired of commercial hip-hop which has no point, I bought this anthology and realized my brother had good taste! I love it! From the "n" word song to "Benita Applebum", it was just hot.

The Art of Moving Butts
There is a whole generation out there full of people who just barely missed out on the evolution of rap music into what it is today. These are guys who weren't alive when hip-hop was born. These poor souls were still trying to master the alphabet when Run-D.M.C. started raising hell in '86. The only reason these kids even recognize artists like Grandmaster Flash or Kurtis Blow is from playing Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Just think of the thousands of rap listeners around the world who know nothing of the very foundation of what they now hear on the radio.

It is a tragedy, but one that can be rectified, starting with an introduction to the rhythm that has been eagerly waiting for you at the end of that dark tunnel. However, since you are a little behind, your Quest should begin... well... at the end. Not unlike the Cliff's Notes version of Crime and Punishment, Anthology is an abbreviated guide through masterful art. As a sort of microcosm of this notion, I will now do my best to tell you everything that you need to know before buying this album.

Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad (MC, MC, DJ respectively) are the primary members of A Tribe Called Quest. They are responsible for an extremely successful discography of jazz-rap that, along with the work of De La Soul, brought Afrika Bambaataa's Zulu Nation back into the spotlight.

A Tribe Called Quest stands as one of the most innovative hip-hop groups in history. To the naked ear, the Tribe's music just sounds like a couple guys freestylin' over a simple bass line. After subsequent listens, however, their music reveals incredibly smart rhymes that actually flow with the beats magnificently. In turn, they take the songs to a whole new level.

Although this album merely scratches the surface of the Tribe's legendary career, Anthology is absolutely, without question, the best place to start for newcomers. Unfortunately, for the group's more seasoned travelers, it provides no new material worth checking out. The special edition features a few remixes, but these should be reserved for fanatics only (none of them really sparked my interest).

Track by track:

Check The Rhyme - This track made it all the way to #1 on the Hot Rap Singles chart back in 1991. Originally from the Tribe's critically lauded second LP, Low End Theory.

Bonita Applebum - Q-Tip has a crush. Hmmm... maybe a song would help seduce her...

Award Tour - Another chart-topper, Award Tour is driven by fantastic rhymes from Tip and Phife Dawg along with an irresistible keyboard loop. Essential lyric:

"I learned how to build mics in my workshop class
So give me this award, and let's not make it the last"

Can I Kick It? - Yes they can. More specifically, the Tribe kicks it to a Lou Reed guitar loop on this classic track from their free-flowing debut, People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm.

Scenario - The second hit single spawned from Low End Theory, this song is also famous for formally introducing Busta Rhymes to the music world.

Buggin' Out - They just repeat the title over and over for the chorus... so why do I like this song so much?

If The Papes Come - First appearing on the soundtrack to the motion picture Mi Vida Loca, this track is an amazing gem of the bizarre variety.

Electric Relaxation - 1993's Midnight Marauders proved that lightning really can strike thrice. Electric Relaxation is just plain cool. No... ice cold.

Jazz (We've Got) - Seriously, if you enjoy what you hear on Anthology go out and buy Low End Theory. This one is yet another smooth classic off that album.

I Left My Wallet In El Segundo - A journey to the middle of nowhere (anywhere would've been better). This is my personal favorite Tribe track. It got in my head in '91 and hasn't left since.

Hot Sex - First appearing on a rare club compilation, Hot Sex was later appropriately placed on the Tribe's 5th LP, The Love Movement.

Oh My God - Undeniably catchy single from Midnight Marauders.

Stressed Out - A Tribe Called Quest hit a bump in the road with Beats, Rhymes, and Life (4th album). Although the disc is more highly regarded these days, the listener is forced to wait until track 13 for its first contribution to Anthology. Stressed Out is more R&B flavored and features Faith Evans.

Luck of Lucien - Not sure if I've ever used the term "groovy" to describe a song before, but Luck of Lucien is as close as they come. Also, make sure and listen to Phife's conversation in the background during the break. Good stuff.

Description of a Fool - The closing track on People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm... and the beginning of a legacy.

Keeping It Moving - Underrated 2nd track from Beats, Rhymes, and Life. Really has a nice beat and Tip does his usual best.

Find a Way - Wonderful single off of The Love Movement. Probably the Tribe's best slower paced song.

Sucka N***a - Listen before judging. Remember, these are not a hardcore rappers.

Vivrant Thing - A really good bonus track. I call it bonus because it's from Q-Tip's first solo album, Amplified (excellent).

Bottom line: While not offering any quality new or rare material, Anthology (being a greatest hits disc) doesn't disappoint, featuring the simple beats and intelligent rhymes that fueled the Tribe's success for over a decade. If you're not that familiar with the Tribe, you gotta get, you got-got ta get it!

Look for A TRIBE in the new year!
I recently talked with plug-1 from de la soul and he told me that he heard a tribe called quest was coming out with a new album. Hope it's true becasue they were/are the greatest. This album kicks by the way.
In their decade of existence, A Tribe Called Quest weren't rap's biggest hit makers, but their signature numbers indeed fill this CD with style, eclecticism, and laid-back but deliberate flow; indeed, the group's stature seems to have grown since its 1998 breakup. The continued importance of their music and ideals for many hip-hop fans will only be enhanced by Anthology's 18 tracks (Q-Tip's recent hit "Vivrant Thing," from the Violator album is a bonus track). Those unfamiliar with Tribe's achievement should have their heads and booties set into motion by the fellas' many moods, from the playful "Check the Rhime" and "I Left My Wallet in El Segundo" to trenchant commentaries such as "Description of a Fool" and "Sucka Nigga." And with its inclusion here, the somewhat rare and all-the-way out "If the Papes Come" will doubtless reestablish itself as an underground favorite. --Rickey Wright
Special edition of the hit hip hop group's 1999 'best of' with a bonus disc featuring seven remixes of six tracks, 'Bonita Applebum' (12 Inch Why? Edit), 'I Left My Wallet In El Segundo' (Vampire Mix), 'Public Enemy' (Saturday Night Virus Discomix), 'Can I Kick It?' (Extended Boilerhouse Mix), 'Scenario' (Young Nation Mix), 'Bonita Applebum' (Hootie Mix) and 'Oh My God' (UK Flavour Radio Mix). The main CD contains 19 tracks, for a combined total of 26 selections. Double slimline jewel case. 1999 release.
Comprehensive Anthology of the Group that Gave the World Q-tip, Ali Shaheed Mohammed and Phife. Includes a Bonus CD of Remixes.