Midnight Marauders [Explicit Lyrics]

A Tribe Called Quest | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 9, 1993)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Jive
• ASIN: B0000004ZA
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (171 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,400 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #17 in Music > Rap & Hip-Hop > Experimental Rap
  • #24 in Music > Rap & Hip-Hop > East Coast

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This might have been the album Tribe Called Quest wanted to make from the very beginning. It's their most even, consistent album of the original trilogy that also includes People's Instinctive Travels... and The Low End Theory. But in spite of this, or maybe because of it, it's also their most uninteresting. With so many competent tracks, there's no chance for something to stand out above the pack, like "Scenario" did on Low End Theory or "Can I Kick It" did on People's Instinctive Travels. The celebration is there ("Stir It Up"), the jazz drums kick ("Oh My God"), and the stand-up bass dribbles, keeping perfect pace with Q-Tip's unmistakable mic-touch ("Electric Relaxation"). There's even a Native Tongues armistice/reunion with De La Soul ("Awards Tour"). Although it comes together like a seamless tutorial in jazz hip-hop style, it comes together so damn well that it's hard for any one track to excel, cursing the album with consistent quality. --Todd Levin

Product Description

Classic 1993 album of polished but raw funk/jazz/hip-hop, ft "Steve Biko (Stir It Up)" & "Sucka Nigga".

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars BUY THIS CD AND YOU WILL "GET DOWN..." March 11, 2001

By L. Kelsey

Format:Audio CD

to the bangin' beats and intelligent lyrics that the Tribe serve up on this, their third and best CD. I love how Q-Tip's laid back cool works off Phife's energetic boasting to produce some of the best rap of the '90's. Favorites on the disc include "Lyrics to Go," "Steve Biko," "Award Tour," "We Can Get Down" and the best cut, "Electric Relaxation." I've enjoyed the Tribe's work from the beginning with the first album, "People's Instinctive Travels." I found them refreshing because they came from the jazz tip and were very clever lyrically. With the first three albums they set themselves apart from the crowd. With the album after this one, "Beats, Rhymes and Life" I think they tried to join the crowd and got away from what they do best, make you think and feel good. If you need to be introduced to what was "A Tribe Called Quest," start with the first three albums and watch the progression from good, better, BEST, which is what "Midnight Marauders" is an example of, rap at its best.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Come on a Journey.... April 30, 2006

By ?

Format:Audio CD

First things first; Midnight Marauders is an impeccable Masterpiece that contributed to the growing brilliance of one of the best years in HipHop (1993). Now, over the years it has become evident to me that A Tribe Called Quest's work is constantly being compared! WHY?. It is always debated as to whether "Low End Theory" is better than "People's instinctive travels & the paths of rhythm" or indeed "Midnight Marauders", but this ignorant question is not possible to answer since each tribe album offers something different each time, ensuring each fan to have their personal favourite. So GET OFF THAT ISH!. Now personally, Midnight Marauders I believe is ATCQ's most diverse and satisfying album they ever put out, purely down to the fact that each track offers its own unique sound that ensures any hiphop fan will find their "favourite track" will be constantly changing. Incase you are not familiar with ATCQ's music, it is mainly made up of an East Coast, jazzy/conscious ,laid back vibe not really ideal for fans of Gangsta rap of hard-hitting drum patterns that occupied the majority of 1993-1994. Q-tip posesses one of the most laid back voices in hiphop, so if you're looking for a rugged/dark album, sorry you will not find it here. Similarly, you will not find one weak track on this album, every track can be listened to somewhere, sometime resulting in an amazingly consistent album that can be played from track 1-15 leaving you wanting to hit the rewind button. "Electric Relaxation" is considered to be one of the best Hiphop songs of all time, let alone the Tribe's best and is worth the price of the album alone. "Steve Biko" sets the album off nicely, with addictive horns accompanied by Q Tip's and Phife's catchy flows its a sure thing.... Then, leading on to replayable classics like "Award Tour", "8 Million Stories" and "Oh My God" you will find yourself constantly being suprised with greatness. "Keep it Rollin'" produced by and featuing Large Professor is nothing short of amazing, as would be expectable from a line up so mind-blowing. All in All, Midnight Marauders is not just for Hiphop Fans, fans of any genre (especially jazz/funk/soul) will find this album to be amongst their favourites as Tribe Called quest incorporate a variety of different sounds/instruments into their music. Give this a listen, and come on a journey into one of the best hiphop albums in history. You will find you may have stumbled across a personal favourite. PEACE

Lyrics - 10/10

Beats - 10/10

Replay Value - 10/10

Style - 10/10

X Factor - 10/10 Nothing less than amazing

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A near classic in hip-hop July 16, 2005

By John Alapick

Format:Audio CD

Midnight Marauders is the followup to A Tribe Called Quest's hip-hop masterpiece The Low End Theory. Rather than playing it safe and making another mostly upbeat release, Midnight Marauders takes the act in a darker direction with more emphasis on bass lines and jazz horns. Q-Tip and Phife Dawg continue to trade lines flawlessly on the excellent tracks "Electric Relaxation", "Steve Biko (Stir It Up)", and "Award Tour." Deep funky bass lines are upfront with the rhymes on "Sucka Nigga", "Keep It Rollin'", and "Oh My God" which features Busta Rhymes. Although "Oh My God" doesn't hit as hard as "Scenario", their previous collaboration with Busta, it's still a strong track. Even when the duo decides to go solo as Phife and Q-Tip do on the brooding "8 Million Stories" and "Midnight" respectively, the results are just as impressive. Other great tracks include "Clap Your Hands", "Lyrics To Go", and "God Lives Through." Their raps continue to be among the best in the genre. I mean who else, except maybe the Beastie Boys, could include people from completely different walks of life such as Mr. Belvedere, Robert DeNiro, Vinny Testaverde, and Rollo Lawson in their rhymes? Although there is extensive sampling used throughout, it's from mostly obscure tracks that only a die-hard old school R&B fan would pick up on. This is a refreshing change from other popular rappers at the time, most notably rappers Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, where all you have to do is pick up a best of Parliament album to see where they got their ideas. All told, while this isn't an all out classic like The Low End Theory, it's still a great album that should be a part of every hip-hop fan's collection. Highly recommended.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the standard for a classic. January 31, 2005

By D. Hunter

Format:Audio CD

There's absolutely no reason not to have this album in some way shape or form. Go cop the burn from your friend, or buy it from here. It's that important. This album mades me feel good about hip-hop everytime I hear it. There's not a single flaw. Perfect for in the car, chilling at home, blasting at a game. This album will never die! Much love forever. We miss you Tribe!!!

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars true classic August 1, 2005

By Mrs. M. M. Smith

Format:Audio CD

one of my all time favorite rap albums. the beats are effortlessly funky, jazzy, and hardcore. they have a warm, mesmerising style that perfectly suits phife and q tips dynamic rhymes. true classic.