A Tribe Called Quest, the seminal New York hip-hop group, has released an album for the first time in 18 years. This is not just an album however, it is a statement, a declaration that hip-hop is not dead, and is in fact stronger than ever.

With all the events surrounding 2016, there have been few beacons of light in a year that has been so bizarre that few could see it coming. But in a time filled with change and upheaval,  A Tribe Called Quest’s “We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service” serves as a link to simpler times, a past in which New York was a playground and the possibilities in music seemed endless.

If you are not familiar with A Tribe Called Quest or their work, I’ll inform you.

Formed in 1985 by members Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and Jarobi, A Tribe Called Quest came to fame in 1990 with the release of their debut album “People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm” an album filled with hip-hop songs with a conscious message and impressive lyrics.

Lauded for the message of their music and the joy that was evident in their beats, A Tribe Called Quest soon came to the forefront of the New York hip-hop scene, and represented their home borough of Queens like no other. More albums followed, including “The Low End Theory” and “Midnight Marauders” Both of these albums are crowning musical achievements, and are regarded as some of the best albums of the 1990’s. Standout songs from this period include “Bonita Applebum” “Can I Kick It” and “Electric Relaxation”

But all good things must come to an end, and A Tribe Called Quest was no different. After the release of their fifth studio album, “The Love Movement” the group announced that it would be their last album amid turmoil among the group. This left the group to pursue other works and solo projects, and as time passed A Tribe Called Quest became regarded as a classic hip-hip group.

Recently, A Tribe Called Quest was brought back to the public eye with the tragic death of founding member and lauded MC Phife Dawg from complications of Type 2 Diabetes at the young age of 44. Phife’s death came in the middle of the recording of this new album, so it features limited contributions from him.

“We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service” goes back to the golden age of hip-hop while staying relevant and insightful to the present day. Q-Tip makes rhymes and words interact with the beat in a way that few rapper’s can, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad’s production and DJing still is fresh while remaining true to group’s original sounds.

Songs like “The Donald” and “Dis Generation” are a commentary on modern life and how different things are from the era in which A Tribe Called Quest’s members grew up in. Other tracks like “We The People” have messages of unity and love in a time that seems like the country is growing more and more divided.

Each song on this album has something to offer, and even my least favorite track, “Mobius” is still a pretty good song. When each song is an intelligent riff on life, there truly are no bad tracks.

Overall, this is an album that is a truly brilliant statement, not just in its lyrics, but in its old school and joyous production.

With all this being said, I’m just happy the group could put aside their differences and put out an album that will be remembered.

Score: 9.5/10

Featured Image courtesy of okayplayer.com