Abstract Attitude : A Tribe Called Quest In The Source (1991)

Feature on Tribe Called Quest written by Chris Wilder in The Source, november 1991.

A Tribe Called Quest : Georgie Porgie featuring Brand Nubian (demo) (DivShare)

 

Classic Review : The Low End Theory in The Source (1991)

Review of Tribe’s 5 mic classic in The Source, november 1991, written by Reef.

A Tribe Called Quest : Scenario feat LONS, Black Sheep & De La Soul (demo) (DivShare)

“What do you do for an encore after making one of the most ground-breaking unique and outstanding hip-hop albums ever ? Instead of moving ahead to an uncharted musical plateau that may be over everyone’s head, the Tribe have veered off to the side, molding their jazz-infused samples with fat hardcore beats to give their progressive sound a streetwise edge.

The most prevalent theme on this record is the Tribe’s disillusionment with the music industry. Song topics address shady promoters, bootleggers and the greedy, insensitive record labels that rip-off artists. Meanwhile Tip and Ali drop some more fat loops from their secret sample vaults. The tracks are kept simple and feature the type of fat drum beats that can be heard from a boomin’ system three blocks
away. Instead of just throwing a beat over a loop, the Tribe combine distinct pieces of music, program their own beats, and transform their samples into a sound that is truly their own. They add the right touch-whether its a live bass with singing on Q-Tip’s “Verse From Abstract,” or the jazzy sax loop on Phife’s” Butter.”

Q-Tip has already proven he is a highly skilled lyricist with his own distinct style and once again he flows lovely, dubbing himself “the abstract poet.” Those who questioned Phife’s microphone techniques on the first album will swallow those doubts as he practically steals the show on this one. Phife provides a more straight-up b-boy approach to complement Tip’s mellow vibes.

Other outstanding cuts include “Buggin’ Out”, an uptempo jam with a catchy bassline, “Rap Promoter” with its chunky guitar samples, “ShowBiz”, featuring Brand Nubian’s Lord Jammar and Sadat X and ex-Ultimate Force member Diamond D, and “Scenario” a duet with the Leaders Of The New School that feature some incredible lyrics from Busta Bhymes. There’s no sophomore jinx to be found here only real hip-hop.”
REEF
 

 

Sure Shot : It Ain’t Hard To Tell in The Source (1994)

Unsigned review of Nasty Nas’ second single in february 1994.
The audio companion is an early demo with totally different lyrics and slightly different beat.

Nas : It Ain’t Hard To Tell (demo) (DivShare)

Dear Ak, Editorial in The Source + Answer letter (1993-94)

Shame on Kierna for thinking the beat on “I Luh Her” was so-so. Editorial from the Source attacking Akinyele in december 1993, and the answer from the artist two months later. A few years later Ak shared his feelings about that journalist on the long-shelved Break A Bitch Neck.

Akinyele : I Luh Her (DivShare)
Akinyele & Kool G. Rap : Break A Bitch Neck (DivShare)

 

Classic Review : Breaking Atoms in The Source (1991)

Review of Main Source classic album, by Jon Shecter in may 1991. Over there Vincent Lopez has an almost complete run down of all the almost classic album rated in The Source.

Main Source : Just Hangin Out (Your Hood remix)

 

Second Coming : Nas in The Source (1994)

Classic article on the Illmatic sessions written by Jon Shecter in april 1994.

DJ Premier : Represent original demo instru (DivShare)

Categories : feature, queens, Jon Shecter, Demo.

Days Like This… : A Tribe Called Quest In The Source (1993)

Cover story on Tribe Called Quest by Kierna Mayo Dawsey in the december 1993 issue of The Source.

A Tribe Called Quest, Black Thought & Consequence : Freestyle on Future Flava (DivShare)

Walk This Way, Suckers : Run DMC in NME (1986)

Cover Story on Run DMC in british weekly New Musical Express in july 1986, by Stuart Cosgrove.

Run DMC : Hit It Run (Div Share)

Classic Review : People’s Instinctive Travels & The Path Of Rhythm in The Source (1990)

Rather than buy Shawn Taylor’s uninspiring book about Q-Tip’s first album, I’ll just stick to Matty C’s review from The Source. Back in may 1990 the magazine didn’t use the five mics ratings, but they re-reviewed the album in the following issue, summer 1990, this time with the classic rating.
A Tribe Called Quest : Pubic Enemy (Kool DJ Red Alert remix) (DivShare)

 

Classic Review : Back From Hell in The Source (1991)

Sometimes it’s hard to admit when your favourite group hit their all time low. Review of Run DMC’s worst fiasco Back From Hell in The Source, january 1991, written by Disco.

Run DMC : Pause (extended remix) (Div Share)

Sure Shot : Tragedy’s Back To Reality review in The Source (1991)

Review of Intelligent Hoodlum’s single Back To Reality in The Source, january 1991. 

Craig G and Intelligent Hoodlum : Live and Direct from the House of Hits (DivShare)

Talk Like Sex : Kool G Rap in The Source (1995)

Feature story on the Kool Genius of Rap by Adario Strange, The Source, september 1995.

Kool G. Rap & Nas : Fast Life (Norfside remix) (Div Share)

Categories : Queens, Feature.