2016 was a strange year for hip-hop. It was at once the pinnacle of the slurred, codeine-soaked trap music that rose in popularity around 2011 as well as a huge resurgence of boom-bap. Boom-bap is essentially the polar opposite of the high-production based voice-as-instrument styles of trappy hip-hop: it relies on a minimal, percussion based beat and as much clever lyricism as a rapper can bring to the table. In maintaining some kind of cosmic balance between these often at odds forces, it follows that at the close of a big year for crooners like Young Thug, Lil Yachty, and Travis Scott, the remaining members of A Tribe Called Quest would release their mythical final album.
Phife Dawg, born Malik Taylor, was an icon. He was one of the most highly regarded MCs of all time and remained never waned before his death due to complications of diabetes in March of this year. Along with Q-Tip and producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Tribe put out three impeccable albums and two that were very good. In October of last year, a few months before his death, Phife and all of the original members, along with many of their associates met in the studio and started work. They were fueled by a last performance together on The Tonight Show, as well as sorrow in the aftermath of the Paris Bombings, and they quickly started recording what they do best, funky, clever, politically charged bars that bounced from member to member as if it were their freshman album.
The album is so incredible because it does not rely on nostalgia for quality. It would have been easy for the Tribesmembers to lean on their old tropes and put out a samey attempt at replicating The Low End Theory, but they veered towards slightly more modern production and themes skewering gentrification and using outlandish samples of Elton John to an accompanying Jack White on acoustic guitar.
The showstopper on this album that is packed full of incredible features from André Benjamin to Kendrick Lamar is the track The Space Program. The track is built on an organ and barebones percussion beat and opens with a quote from the 70’s blaxploitation film Willie Dynamite. The track follows a loose narrative of a US space program taking off and leaving without black people. The space program is of course a metaphor for systemic gentrification and Q-Tip and original Tribe member Jarobi take turns lambasting the state of treatment of black Americans in every form from housing to police brutality.
In the middle of the first verse, after boasting about their lyrical prowess and how they cannot be fooled by the system, Q-Tip rails against the Voting Rights Act, rapping “They planning our future//None of our people involved.” He elicits the frustration of lack of representation in government due to oppressive redistricting and the de facto poll taxes of in person voting, particularly on a Tuesday.
He goes on to bemoan the systemic practices going on in Flint Michigan and Standing Rock of minorities being forced to bear the burden of white ecological destruction with the lyrics, “They’d rather lead us to the grayest water poison deadly smog//Mass un-blackening, it’s happening, you feel it y’all?” This mass un-blackening relates both to the destruction of lives through poisoned water as well as the gentrification of historically colored neighborhoods with the influx of wealthy white people (see: Pilsen, and ironically, Pilson’s large Latinx population only got there after being gentrified out of the UIC area).
Toni Morrison has written extensively on the idea of flight as a mode of freedom for black Americans, both in novels like Song of Solomon as well as in interviews and essays. It comes from the folk tale of the flying African. A story which in turn stems from the mass-suicide of captured Nigerian Igbo people who killed themselves as opposed to returning to slavery. The myth followed that the people actually sprouted wings and flew back to Africa. Songs of flight spread and grew into a mythology of their own.
Ironically, in The Space Program, the idea of flight is reimagined as a white flight from the problems associated with black Americans. This shift serves to show how the attempt at freedom is deemed impossible within a system designed to oppress black Americans. Instead, flight, once deemed a freedom dream for many is co-opted by the oppressors.
So where does that leave the members of Tribe? The answer lies in the hook. A resoundingly positive Phife Dawg repeats to a bouncing beat as the song fades,
Time to go left and not right
Gotta get it together forever
Gotta get it together for brothers
Gotta get it together for sisters
For mothers and fathers and dead n—–
For non-conformers, won’t hear the quitters
For Tyson types and Che figures
As the hook fades into the outro, a trippy sample of Gene Wilder (another great who passed away in 2016) in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, we are reminded that this is an uphill battle and “they’re certainly not showing, any signs that they are slowing!”
So on behalf of all people, let’s make something happen.
6,672 Comments
Hey would you mind letting me know which hosting company you’re
using? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different web browsers and I must say this blog loads a
lot faster then most. Can you suggest a good web hosting provider at
a reasonable price? Thanks, I appreciate it!
Howdy are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to
the blog world but I’m trying to get started and create my own. Do you require any html coding
expertise to make your own blog? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
خرید اکانت کالاف دیوتی موبایل ارزان✓ پشتیبانی 24 ساعته✓ ثبت 100% رایگان آگهی✓ فروش به بهترین قیمت✓ واریز نقدی و فوری✓ گارانتی و تضمینی
فروش اکانت کالاف دیوتی موبایل
winwin4d new platform very cool
Every weekend i used to visit this site, for the
reason that i wish for enjoyment, since this this site conations genuinely pleasant funny stuff too.
I really got into this article. I found it to be interesting and loaded with unique points of interest. I like to read material that makes me think. Thank you for writing this great content. giftcardmall mygift
That is really fascinating, You’re an excessively professional
blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to
seeking extra of your great post. Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks
I am inspired by your commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.สอบถามหวยหุ้นเกาหลี
If you desire to obtain much from this article then you have to apply such techniques
to your won weblog.
Основа sEO-копирайта – это, в большинстве, ключевые фразы, по каким робот возьмется отыскивать публикацию в зависимости от набранного в форме поиска запроса.
Присутствует 3 вариации “кейвордов”:
Оптимизированные материалы по причине непростых запросов
могут иметь немалую тошноту,
чем нормальные. Оттого обязательно проверяйте свойское статью на
читабельность. Жаждем перечислить, что все статьи для сети Интернет должны совмещать
плагиат не менее 93%. {Для проверки} вы можете пользоваться
определенные из безвозмездных сервисов, позволяющими расценить “вхождения ключей” заметки, ее спаность и уникализацию,
типа: istio,
,техническое задание для копирайтера пример.Помните что нужно отслеживать за свежими вакансиями, отозвавшись
на какие, вы сможете на деле приложить собственные познания по копирайтингу.
It’s really a cool and useful piece of information. I am glad that you just shared this useful info with us.
Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
Royal Reels ensures an engaging experience for every user.eYe
Thanks , I have just been looking for info approximately this topic for a while and yours is the greatest I’ve came upon so far.
However, what about the conclusion? Are you positive concerning the source?
If you would like to take a great deal from this piece of writing then you have to
apply such techniques to your won webpage.
A blog like yours should be earning much money from adsense.’~::- login seltoto
hi!,I like your writing so so much! percentage we keep up a correspondence more about your post on AOL?
I require a specialist on this area to unravel my problem.
May be that is you! Having a look forward to see you.
my web blog :: nitric boost ultra at walgreens
Great Post. I really enjoyed reading this blog. The content is well-written thanks for sharing this.
Tata Tipper
Cheers to the article along with wonderful guidelines.. perhaps My spouse and i in addition feel that efforts can be the key element of receiving good results. bandar toto
The Rollxo website is designed with user experience in mindiUq
Excellent publish, Thanks with regard to discussing This particular understanding. Wonderfully created post, if perhaps just about all writers provided exactly the same degree of content material while you, the web will be a far better location. Make sure you continue the good work! bandar toto
Being Starter, I’m sure for life trying over the internet for the purpose of content pieces that might be from assistance to everybody. Regards. adevo interior
Very soon this website will be famous among all blogging users, due to it’s nice articles
or reviews
Alexistogel adalah situs slot online paling gacor di Indonesia, dengan minimal depo 5rb akan menjamin kemenangan setiap hari. alexistogel
hi!,I like your writing so much! share we keep up a correspondence extra approximately your post on AOL? I require a specialist on this space to solve my problem. May be that is you! Looking ahead to peer you. daftar seltoto
Murah4D is a platform that provides a wide selection of interesting games and products at the lowest prices, designed to make your daily needs easier. With a focus on quality and a high win rate, Murah4D is the ideal solution for anyone looking for efficiency without sacrificing quality
Everything is very open with a clear explanation of the issues.
It was definitely informative. Your website is useful.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi, the whole thing is going well here and ofcourse every one is sharing information, that’s in fact
good, keep up writing.
Spot on with this write-up, I actually believe that this site needs
far more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read through more, thanks for the information!
winnertoto
visit new platform
Great article. I will be facing some of these issues as well..
When do you think this Real Estate market will go back in a positive direction? Or is it still too early to tell? We are seeing a lot of housing foreclosures in Altamonte Springs Florida. What about you? Would love to get your feedback on this. situs seltoto
For most up-to-date information you have to pay a visit web and
on the web I found this site as a best web site for latest updates.
Good way of explaining, and pleasant article to get facts about my presentation subject, which i am
going to deliver in university.
Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you ever been running a blog for?
you made blogging look easy. The entire glance of your site is
magnificent, as neatly as the content!
Why visitors still use to read news papers when in this technological world the whole thing is existing on web?
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here.
The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish.
nonetheless, you command get bought an edginess over that you
wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly
the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this
increase.
Also visit my site escorts in Islamabad
Hello! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone!
Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to
all your posts! Carry on the fantastic work!
Hello! Someone in my Myspace group shared this site
with us so I came to check it out. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
Excellent blog and great design and style.
Excellent goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you’re just
extremely fantastic. I really like what you have acquired here, really like what you are stating and the way in which you say it.
You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it wise.
I can’t wait to read much more from you. This is
actually a great site.
I simply couldn’t depart your web site before suggesting that I extremely loved the standard info
a person supply in your visitors? Is going to be back
often in order to check up on new posts
Hello mates, how is everything, and what you wish for to say concerning
this paragraph, in my view its actually remarkable for me.
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article.
I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to read more
of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I will certainly
comeback.
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for درب کرکره ای ضد سرقت
Howdy! This is kind of off topic but I need some
help from an established blog. Is it tough to set up your own blog?
I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick.
I’m thinking about making my own but I’m not sure where to start.
Do you have any tips or suggestions? Thank you
Introduction Hempified CBD is a company dedicated to providing high-quality CBD products to its
customers.
Introduction: Hempified CBD is a popular brand that offers a range of CBD
products to help customers experience the benefits
of cannabidiol (CBD) in their everyday lives.
Look into my web page -; Hempified CBD Review
Hello there! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering if you knew where
I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form?
I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having problems finding one?
Thanks a lot!
Thank you for contributing to the body of knowledge in [field or industry]. game đổi thưởng vip
Godfather789ยเว็บตรงของคนไทย เจ้าพ่อมาเฟียเว็บใหญ่ไม่มีโกง
Nice blog here! Also your site loads up fast! What host are you using?
Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol