‪’People’s Instinctive Travels’ by A Tribe Called Quest is 30 years-old today – WOW

“People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm” by A Tribe Called Quest turns 30 years-old today. This project changed my life and my perspective on rap as an art form and Hip-Hop as a culture. ‬

The only reason I even know about Tribe was because of Q-Tip’s feature on Jungle Brothers album Straight Out the Jungle, that I stole from a record shop at Lincoln Mall in Matteson IL..(don’t judge me). Q Tip was on a song called “Black is Black”. Native Tongues consisting of Queen Latifah, Jungle Brothers, De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest was formed, then came Tribe with ‪“People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm” in 1989.

“Push it Along” is the first song on the project. The baby crying at the start is akin to the birth of a new sound. I remember popping the tape into my moms Nissan Sentra and being immediately hooked. Q Tip’s vocabulary and the contrast of his and Pfhife’s voices along with the jazz inspired samples opened up a portal to a world I didn’t know existed.

I credit Tribe for expanding my musical palate when it comes to music. The lush horns, crisp break beats and samples were transformed into beautiful rap music by Ali-Shaheed Muhammad and Q -Tip. I know the legendary Donald Byrd because of the song “Footprints”. Q Tip filtered a portion of “Think Twice” by Byrd into a funky loop.

This album helps push forward the narrative of positivity and individuality into the 90’s. It also delivered one of the most memorable rap love songs of all time with “Bonita Applebum” The Hootie Mix of “Bonita Applebum” featured a sample of the Isley Brother “Between The Sheets”. It was a popular sample during that time, however I’m partial to the original. It feels more sincere and intentional. The original version is a marriage between Ramp’s “Daylight” and the genius of Charles Stepney on Rotary Connections “Memory”. The combination creates a rap classic.

30 years later we can thank A Tribe Called Quest for providing the culture with story telling, bars and love songs on one of the greatest rap projects ever created.

What is your favorite song from this project? What does this project mean to you? Share in the comments below.

-Precise

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Tekashi 6ix9ine is a free man because of coronavirus

According to multiple news sources the rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine whose real name is Daniel Hernandez has been released from prison. The now infamous rapper’s lawyers put in a request to be released due to the fact he has asthma and how it relates to the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the world. Judge Engelmayer signed off on his request. He has been granted a compassionate release effective immediately.

Tekashi will complete his sentence under house arrest. He will wear a GPS monitor for the first four months. His release will be supervised and he can only leave his home for medical reasons or to see his lawyer. The rapper was originally set for release in August of this year.

Tekashi is famous for being a troll and is infamous for snitching on his friends who provided the support he received to become famous. He was arrested and convicted on racketeering charges. His sentence was lessened because he agreed to cooperate with the federal investigation and testified against his friends The Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods.

Considering the entire world in under a shelter-in-place order Tekashi’s life wont seem too different from anyone else. You know twitter is running with this news.

Did Tekashi deserve to be released? Will he be safe? Do you think there is new music coming? Share in the comments below.

-Precise

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Joe Budden and Jay Electronica go at it on twitter; Who is right?

Joe Budden and Jay Electronica

The rap wars are back on. Joe Budden a former rapper and and consistent agitator has taken to his new role as a “journalist” like a fish to water. He gave his official hot take on Jay Electronica’s album A Written Testimony and it was not all favorable.

“I hate this album. Fuck y’all talking bout. I hate it.” Budden continues “As a rapper I’m telling you he got smacked around” (by Jay Z) he said

As you know, it doesn’t become a beef until it his twitter. It did and the sparks flew. A fan of Electronica mentioned that Budden had never dropped a classic and that’s where it started.

https://twitter.com/jayelectronica/status/1239767558141513729?s=21

Joe being the master troll he is responded swiftly, stating he never got mopped around on his own project.

Electronica keep the trolling going basically stating he never heard any of Budden’s albums

https://twitter.com/jayelectronica/status/1239919297838764035?s=21

Electronica knowing that this will be good for Budden’s next podcast requests to be acknowledged for his contribution.

https://twitter.com/jayelectronica/status/1239923943638618113?s=21

There is always room for amicable rap beef in Hip-Hop. It would be so much better if the rappers took it to wax. Joe Budden is no longer a rapper so I guess that’s off the table.

Is Joe right about Electronica getting mopped up by Jay-Z? Should Electronica keep responding? Share in the comments below.

-Precise

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