Weisbard, Eric; Marks, Craig, eds. (1995). "A Tribe Called Quest". Spin Alternative Record Guide. New York: Vintage Books. ISBN 0-679-75574-8. The Rapping: As actual technical rappers, I can't say Phife or Tip are the most amazing rappers, they don't have that incredibly hard hitting wordplay like Pharoahe Monch (who I still hold as an incredible MC who's terribly underrated.) nor that incredible blasting presence (i.e GZA or Ghostface, who isn't that great but has stage presence). However I can't deny, these guys are smooth as butter. Really, they've got some excellent flow, great lyrics and some very good wordplay. I'd say these two also have some fantastic chemistry too, they play off each other constantly, it really is a joy to hear. No complaints here, it's also very nice that they actually go with the beat very well. This is something some rappers should take note of. Also I really do like their subject matter, even when they're talking about women. It works. It's thoughtful. It really is nice. Admittedly it's not the most cerebral of rhymes but I still find that they know how to be one with the beat. And it's clear that Q-Tip blows Phife away, but still neither disappoint. Far from it. I'll say this though, this is one of those albums that you have to listen to a few times to start liking it more.

a b Christgau, Robert (2000). "A Tribe Called Quest: The Low End Theory". Christgau's Consumer Guide: Albums of the '90s. Macmillan Publishers. ISBN 0-312-24560-2 . Retrieved October 11, 2020. a b c Savage, Mark (March 23, 2016). "Tribe Called Quest star Phife Dawg dies aged 45". BBC News . Retrieved October 6, 2017. a b c Heaton, Dave (July 8, 2003). "A Tribe Called Quest: The Low End Theory". PopMatters . Retrieved June 27, 2009.

Manufactured for Vinyl Me, Please by Sony Music Entertainment, 25 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010-8601 Murphy, Keith (March 23, 2016). "Phife Dawg: Memories Of Native Tongues' Five Foot Assassin". Vibe . Retrieved October 6, 2017. Moon, Tom (October 20, 1991). "A Tribe Called Quest: The Low End Theory (Jive)". The Philadelphia Inquirer. The record became beloved of fundamentalist b-boys because it rooted itself firmly in the music's core sonic, conceptual, lyrical and artistic values, yet managed to increase the band's appeal to listeners who generally shunned rap for sonic or ideological reasons. Here was a group from a still outsider genre, uniting hardcore fans and curious outsiders by making music that worried more about integrity, commitment, creativity and resolve than it did appealing to the mainstream.

The 7" collection is housed in a deluxe, fabric-wrapped 45 singles carrying case, with 360-degree original album art and custom inner wrapped ATCQ logo graphics and group photo. Group member Jarobi White, who previously appeared on People's Instinctive Travels, had verses recorded for The Low End Theory. However, he left the group during the sessions to study culinary art and his verses did not make the final cut. [2] [3] [13] The song "Butter" was originally supposed to feature a verse by Q-Tip, but Phife Dawg insisted on rapping solo on it, causing a brief argument. [14] It essentially became a Phife Dawg solo record, with Q-Tip performing the chorus. Upon its release, The Low End Theory received widespread critical acclaim. It was awarded a perfect five mic rating in The Source, with reviewer Reef lauding their "progressive sound" and "streetwise edge", adding that "there's no sophomore jinx to be found here—only real hip-hop." [24] Iestyn George of NME praised the album as a "quantum leap" from People's Instinctive Travels, noting, "Gone are the quirky samples that gave them their lighter edge, replaced by stark, hard-hitting beats." George also credited Q-Tip and Phife Dawg for "trading lines like psychic sparring partners", as they "pause, interject, charm and challenge with understated aplomb." [23]a b c Touré (November 2, 2016). "Loss Haunts A Tribe Called Quest's First Album in 18 Years". The New York Times . Retrieved October 6, 2017.

a b "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. 22 September 2020 . Retrieved September 25, 2020.

Companies, etc.

Watrous, Peter (October 23, 1991). " The Pop Life". The New York Times. Accessed November 11, 2008. a b c d e f g h i j Cowie, Del F. (February 2008). " A Tribe Called Quest - Verses from the Abstract". Exclaim!. Accessed December 28, 2008.