or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
 
Express Checkout with PayPhrase
What's this? | Create PayPhrase
More Buying Choices
78 used & new from $2.38
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
Available to Download Now
 
Buy the MP3 album for $9.99
  
 
 
 
Beats, Rhymes and Life
 
See larger image 
See all product images
See 1 customer image
Share your own customer images

Beats, Rhymes and Life

A Tribe Called Quest
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews) | More about this product
List Price: $8.99
Price: $8.98 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $0.01
  Special Offers Available
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

Want it delivered Tuesday, November 24? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details
28 new from $6.22 41 used from $2.38 9 collectible from $10.00
Buy the MP3 album for $9.99 at the Amazon MP3 Downloads store.

Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s

Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or view the MP3 Album.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Samples
Song TitleArtist Time Price
listen  1. Phony RappersA Tribe Called Quest 3:36$1.29 Buy Track
listen  2. Get A HoldA Tribe Called Quest 3:35$0.99 Buy Track
listen  3. MotivatorsA Tribe Called Quest 3:20$0.99 Buy Track
listen  4. The JamA Tribe Called Quest 4:38$0.99 Buy Track
listen  5. CrewA Tribe Called Quest 1:58$0.99 Buy Track
listen  6. The PressureA Tribe Called Quest 3:02$0.99 Buy Track
listen  7. 1nce Again (Radio Version)A Tribe Called Quest featuring Tammy Lucas 3:49$0.99 Buy Track
listen  8. Mind PowerA Tribe Called Quest 3:55$0.99 Buy Track
listen  9. The HopA Tribe Called Quest 3:27$0.99 Buy Track
listen10. Keeping It MovingA Tribe Called Quest 3:38$0.99 Buy Track
listen11. Baby Phife's ReturnA Tribe Called Quest 3:18$0.99 Buy Track
listen12. Separate/TogetherA Tribe Called Quest 1:38$0.99 Buy Track
listen13. What Really Goes OnA Tribe Called Quest 3:23$0.99 Buy Track
listen14. Word PlayA Tribe Called Quest 2:59$0.99 Buy Track
listen15. Stressed Out (LP Version)A Tribe Called Quest featuring Faith Evans 4:58$0.99 Buy Track

Amazon's A Tribe Called Quest Store

A Tribe Called Quest
Find all the CDs, MP3s, and vinyl, plus photos, videos, biographies, discussions, and more.

› Visit Amazon's A Tribe Called Quest Store

Frequently Bought Together

Beats, Rhymes and Life + Midnight Marauders + People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
Price For All Three: $26.95

Show availability and shipping details

  • This item: Beats, Rhymes and Life ~ A Tribe Called Quest

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • Midnight Marauders ~ A Tribe Called Quest

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm ~ A Tribe Called Quest

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

Special Offers and Product Promotions

  • Get $1 worth of MP3 downloads from Amazon MP3 after you order your item. Here's how (restrictions apply)

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

The Love Movement

The Love Movement

~ A Tribe Called Quest
3.9 out of 5 stars (122)  $8.98
Midnight Marauders

Midnight Marauders

~ A Tribe Called Quest
4.9 out of 5 stars (145)  $8.99
People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm

People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm

~ A Tribe Called Quest
4.8 out of 5 stars (63)  $8.98
The Low End Theory

The Low End Theory

~ A Tribe Called Quest
4.9 out of 5 stars (176)  $8.98
The Anthology

The Anthology

~ A Tribe Called Quest
4.7 out of 5 stars (59)  $8.98
› Explore similar items

Product Details

  • Audio CD (July 30, 1996)
  • Original Release Date: July 30, 1996
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Label: Jive
  • ASIN: B00000053T
  • Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #35,465 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

Tribe's fourth album, Beats, Rhymes, and Life, should be the awkward one, the album on which the group, growing up, falters a little as it figures out what it's going to do next. It isn't. Marked by a number of changes, both internally (this is the album on which the Ummah production crew takes over, and it also marks Q-Tip's new religious faith) and externally (by 1996 Quest's jazzy approach to hip-hop had fallen out of popular favor), Beats finds Tribe taking it as it comes and handling all of the challenges with flair. It's a slower, steadier album than either People's Instinctive Travels or The Low End Theory, but that's a description, not a complaint; rather, it gives you plenty of time to enjoy jams like "1nce Again." It doesn't hurt that Q-Tip and Phife Dog are feeling the flow here; an inspired pairing with distinctive voices and different strengths, they trade verses with fluid grace. --Randy Silver
Related Artists on Tour(What's this?)
Product Ads

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 
(24)
(14)
(10)
(9)
(6)
(6)
(5)
(4)
(3)
(3)
Agree with these tags?
See all 23 tags...

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags
 

Customer Reviews

58 Reviews
5 star:
 (31)
4 star:
 (19)
3 star:
 (4)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:
 (3)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (58 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect, From Start to Finish., November 14, 2000
Excuse me, but what LP have all you so-called hip hop fans been listening to? "Tribe really fell off" is a favorite catchphrase people have using since this was released in 1996 and I still don't get it! "Beats, Rhymes and Life" is the most perfect album these gents have ever crafted and stands as a true classic in any genre. Tribes first 3 albums have been elevated to classic status because they all were released in quick succession, but after a 3 1/2 year lay off, the group lost some of it's core audience and the narrow-minded, fickle people who call themselves true hip hop 'heads' jumped on the "let's bash Tribe" bandwagon and deemed this album wack. What a terrible mistake! From the bangin' opener "Phony Rappers" this is a new, refreshed and mature Tribe and over the course of 15 tracks, Q-Tip, Phife and Shaheed top themselves over and over again. My personal faves from this album change every week (currently it's "Jam" featuring some of the best drums EVER to appear on a tribe album) so I won't single out any tracks, I will merely say this album can be listened to from start to finish without ever hitting skip/forward on your CD player. Special Musical Note: This CD gets special love from me for giving a much deserved shout-out to the then recently deceased Phyllis Hyman (on "Baby Phifes Return"). Ignore the naysayers, "B R & L" is a stunning achievement. Worth Owning.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A Tribe Called Quest - Beats, Rhymes & Life, April 2, 2006
By Constant (Vancouver, BC Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   
A Tribe Called Quest's (Q-Tip, Phife, Ali Shaheed Muhammad) fourth album was "Beats, Rhymes & Life" (1996). Following the release of three albums I consider classics ATCQ dropped this solid fifteen-track release after a three-year hiatus. Jay Dee (R.I.P.) teamed up with Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhamammad for "The Ummah" and helped with production on this release. My favourite track on this one is "Stressed Out", ATCQ and Faith Evans collaborate for an outstanding track. Faith Evans really impressed me on this cut, her soulful singing is excellent. Backed by some sick production ATCQ shine on cuts like "Jam", "1nce Again" and "What Really Goes On". Overall their is a notable change in production (more hard, less upbeat) and lyrics, less Jazz oriented cuts (the type I love), and more serious lyrics in my opinion. I don't consider "Beats, Rhymes & Life" to be among ATCQ's best work, it does however have some memorable moments, and some impressive production, which makes it a keeper for any big ATCQ fan. A Tribe Called Quest 1988-1998.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Get a Hold on Hip Hip, October 19, 2005
I believe this was the last true Tribe album. The Love Movement didn't exactly seem like the way they should go out to me. This album reminds me of high school and being down the shore. I can't even explain to you the way I used to zone out to "Get a Hold", an overlooked track on this album. The rhymes are slick, as is to be expected from Q and Phife - and the tracks are all soulful and creatively constructed. 1nce Again was the single off this album and it really captured the Tribe sound as it had developed over time.

A solid effort from one of the greatest hip hop groups of all time.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Not a classic like the first 3 albums, but still a worthwhile listen
The only reason why people bash this album is because it followed PEOPLE'S INSTICTIVE TRAVELS..., THE LOW END THEORY, and MIDNIGHT MARAUDERS. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Jason R. Ridenour

5.0 out of 5 stars Dillas Beats Re-define hip-hop
I've been told from many sources that this album and the love movement were produced nearly 98% percent by Dilla. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Alexander R. Neild

5.0 out of 5 stars Class-Sick Album one of Hip-Hop's GOATS
This album is absolutely ridiculous from beginning to finish. The beats are the best beats comprised on any Hip-hop album with constant consistency. Read more
Published 10 months ago by A. R. Foyle

4.0 out of 5 stars Underated
One of Tribe's best and also one of the most unheard of. Some of their greatest tracks except for the sellout "stressed out" - which inspired the industry to label them as... Read more
Published on March 8, 2007 by M. Lesko

3.0 out of 5 stars The Fall off begins................
The addition of Q-Tip's cousin Consequence on BRL, threw me for a loop. It totally messed up the chemistry between Abstract and the 5 footer. Read more
Published on November 24, 2006 by The Specialist

4.0 out of 5 stars Great piece of History
A Tribe Called Quest's album "Beats, Rhymes and Life" is an overlooked album. The success of "The Low End Theory" and "Midnight Marauders" shadowed its greatness, for now, 10... Read more
Published on June 12, 2006 by John L.

5.0 out of 5 stars Tribe Called Quest - Beats Rhymes & Life
This is an ill TCQ album! This album has some pretty ill beats on, some laid back but some with some sick loops on it. The lyrics are of course, always ill, when arent they? Read more
Published on March 9, 2006 by Wu-Tang_Assassin

5.0 out of 5 stars Yet Another Tribe Classic
This album is definitely on par with the 3 previous classics from one if not the greatest rap group of all time. This album sounds like Tribe from the future. Read more
Published on February 27, 2006 by C. Louie

5.0 out of 5 stars MIND POWER!!!!
I'm a make this short and sweet. Tribe is one of the greatest hip hop groups ever(next to Wu Tang Clan)and I can honestly say that what makes this group so special is how they... Read more
Published on February 9, 2006 by Robert Evans

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this
Can you stop hatin by saying this cd isnt solid this cd is good too I love this very tribe calles quest music just not as classic as L.E.T. and M. Read more
Published on November 27, 2005 by JiggaJ1979

Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   

SoundUnwound Says...

Beats, Rhymes and Life opens new browser window is A Tribe Called Quest's opens new browser window 4th studio release. Browse A Tribe Called Quest's Discography opens new browser window and watch A Tribe Called Quest videos opens new browser window on SoundUnwound.

View your Amazon music library opens new browser window, recommendations and new releases on SoundUnwound opens new browser window - the personal music encyclopedia.

SoundUnwound Logo

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Beats, Rhymes and Life
62% buy the item featured on this page:
Beats, Rhymes and Life 4.3 out of 5 stars (58)
$8.98
The Low End Theory
13% buy
The Low End Theory 4.9 out of 5 stars (176)
$8.98
Midnight Marauders
12% buy
Midnight Marauders 4.9 out of 5 stars (145)
$8.99
People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
8% buy
People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm 4.8 out of 5 stars (63)
$8.98
Explore similar items

Look for Similar Items by Category

Look for Similar Items by Subject

Search Music by subject:











i.e., each title must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ...
 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.


Your Recent History

 (What's this?)

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.