A Tribe Called Quest

A Tribe Called Quest first broke onto the hip-hop scene in 1989 with the release of People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm. The album introduced a non-commercial, socially aware, and intelligent approach to rap music with addictive tidbits like "Bonita Applebaum" and "Can I Kick It." The '90s saw the release of classic hip-hop mantras including "Beats, Rhymes and Life" and Tribe's final album, The Love Movement. A Tribe Called Quest built their philosophic, humorous rhymes upon a foundation of positive vibes fused with jazz influences. Alongside hip-hop greats like De La Soul and the Pharcyde, A Tribe Called Quest has paved the way for followers like highly acclaimed Mos Def and Philly group the Roots.