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.
3,338 Comments
excellent put up, very informative. I ponder why the other experts of this sector don’t understand this. You must continue your writing. I am confident, you have a great readers’ base already! ارسال پیامک در اصفهان
I am constantly browsing online for content articles that can benefit me personally. Thanks! Link ROYAL188
Hi there everyone, basically showing up to point out that the article is quite interesting, whilst there happen to be some fairly odd feedback. link resmi iosbet
Indonesian Bokep and the Generation of Youth: A Story of Sexual Liberation and Self-Discovery bokep indonesia
Positive points apparel it all check to two different females: old Zune company owners that focusing on an upgrade, and individuals seeking to determination between a Microsoft zune and an ipod devices. togel singapore
When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a remark is extra I get four emails with the identical comment. Is there any way you are able to take away me from that service? Thanks! افضل شركة نقل عفش بجدة
There is noticeably big money to understand about this. I assume you made specific nice points in features also. restaurantes en madrid
very nice put up, i actually love this web site, carry on it best artificial jewellery
Là thương hiệu cho các sản phẩm điện tử, điện dân dụng cao cấp đã được bảo hộ bởi cục sở hữu trí tuệ. Với mục tiêu là đơn vị sản xuất, phân phối các sản phẩm điện tử cao cấp đến với người tiêu dùng. Bản quyền sở hữu trí tuệ thuộc về Công ty TNHH Một Thành Viên Công Nghệ Linh Gia (thành lập : 30/08/2011) sau này chuyển thành Công ty Cổ Phần Đầu Tư Công Nghệ Linh Gia với mong muốn tăng trưởng mạnh mẽ, minh bạch và bền vững hơn tạo tiền đề trở thành công ty đại chúng trong tương lai.
Với tầm nhìn sứ mệnh đã định LG tech luôn hướng tới các sản phẩm từ trung đến cao cấp. Với chất lượng và tiện ích cao và đem lại giá trị lâu dài cho khách hàng. Cung cấp những trải nghiệm tuyệt vời mang dấu ấn chính là điểm nhấn trong lòng khách hàng mà chúng tôi muốn hướng đến. ổ điện âm bàn
Here we will recommend sites that are very interesting and of course also very profitable, please visit our website and try it.https://trick2deals.com/
A person made some terrific factors right now there. Used to do any crusade on the subject and discovered nearly all people could have the identical notion along with your website. Many thanks! truly beneficial submit. exposiciones de barcelona
Carter Capner Law are expert ‘No Win No Fee’ compensation lawyers in Brisbane, QLD. We have a proven track record of helping clients with work injuries, car accidents, and other personal injury claims. Work Injury Compensation
Syair HK Malam Ini | Syair Togel | Syair Sgp Hari Ini | Kode Syair Sdy syair hk
Rekomendasi Situs Slot Gacor Asli Server Luar Negeri sobat 777
TKPJP Situs slot online Kakek Zeus Gacor Pasti Banjir Maxwin tkp jp
SOBAT777 adalah slot online terbaik yang memiliki game tergacor se Indonesia dan memiliki banyak event menarik sobat 777 slot
sobat 777 Situs Slot Paling Gacor Gampang Menang Hari Ini depo bisa 5000
Sobat777 merupakan situs terkemuka di Indonesia #1 sejak tahun 2014 yang selalu menyajikan permainan online yang mudah digunakan sobat 777
Situs Judi Slot Gacor Online Hari Ini Hits Terbaru sobat 777
Togel Sidney Togel Singapore Togel Hongkong Merupakan Keluaran Paling Diminati Pasaran Togel Hari Ini, Dengan Data Hasil Keluaran SDY, Pengeluaran SGP dan Data HK Hari Ini Paling Lengkap Disini keluaran sgp
Great job, I was doing a google search and your site came up for homes for sale in Altamonte Springs, FL but anyway, I have enjoyed reading it, keep it up! pafikabbengkulutengah.org
pocketmemo ries.net is an innovative online platform designed to help users capture, organize, and share their memories in a secure and user-friendly environment.
Great job, I was doing a google search and your site came up for homes for sale in Altamonte Springs, FL but anyway, I have enjoyed reading it, keep it up! alexistogel
There are some attention-grabbing time limits on this write-up but I don’t know if I see all of them heart to heart. There may possibly be some validity but I will consider maintain viewpoint until I look into it additional. Great article , thanks and we want additional! Added to FeedBurner at the same time. 日語課程
Very informative and good structure of subject matter, now that’s user genial (:. 日文課程
sobat777 slot paling galore untuk saat ini modal 50rb bisa menjadi jutan dan depo nya bisa minim 5000 sobat 777 slot
SOBAT777 𝐃𝐈𝐉𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐍 𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐍 𝐍𝐘𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐍 𝐏𝐔𝐀𝐒 𝐉𝐏 𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐀𝐏𝐔𝐍 𝐃𝐈 𝐁𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐑 sobat 777
situs slot online gacor terbaru hari ini yang gampang maxwin resmi terbaik yang ada di Indonesia sobat 777 slot
sobat 777 slot adalah situs slot online yang berdiri sejak tahun 2024 sobat 777 slot
Slot Gacor Gampang Maxwin Hanya 1x Putaran sobat777
memiliki event maxwin,anda maxwin ? sini tukarin bisa dapat hadiah tambahansobat 777 slot
sobat777 situs yang paling terpercaya buat member member dan banyak event event setiap hari nya sobat 777 slot
warkopkiu adalah slot paling rekomendasi dari pemain pemain lama soal nya slot ini gampang banget menang nya. selamat mencoba warkopkiu login
SOBAT777 game terbaik dan tergacor se asia sobat 777 slot
TKPJP situs slot online terpercaya dan terbaik yang dijamin jackpot nya tkpjp slot
I admire what you have done here. I like the part where you say you are doing this to give back but I would assume by all the comments that this is working for you as well. অসà§à¦Ÿà§à¦°à§‡à¦²à¦¿à¦¯à¦¼à¦¾à¦¨ নাগরিকদের জনà§à¦¯ সৌদি à¦à¦¿à¦¸à¦¾
It’s rare knowledgeable individuals during this topic, however, you seem like you know what you’re preaching about! Thanks indoslots
Merci à vous pour ce game. Moi j’adore les jeux de pistolets, et vous? betslot88
Aw, i thought this was an incredibly good post. In thought I would like to invest writing such as this moreover – taking time and actual effort to have a top notch article… but exactly what can I say… I procrastinate alot and by no means apparently get something done. rajapoker
I’m not sure if I agree with all of this. However, your article is very informative, and lots of people will walk away from this post feeling more educated than when they arrived. Overall, you have done a great job. dewatogel
I wish more authors of this type of content would take the time you did to research and write so well. I am very impressed with your vision and insight. 91 Club APK
I saw your post awhile back and saved it to my computer. Only recently have I got a chance to checking it and have to tell you nice work. https://timberlinefamilydental.com/
Rekomendasi Situs Slot Gacor Asli Server Luar Negeri sobat 777 slot
slot gacor hari ini dan slot online terpercaya yang menyediakan banyak permainan memberikan winrate tertinggi sobat 777
SOBAT777 situs anti rungkat, JP pasti dibayar lunas sobat 777 link alternatif
warkopkiu adalah slot paling rekomendasi dari pemain pemain lama soal nya slot ini gampang banget menang nya. selamat mencoba warkopkiu link
TKPJP adalah Slot online Gacor Hari Ini Pasti maxwin x1000 tkpjp slot
I’m impressed, I have to admit. Really rarely can i encounter a weblog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you might have hit the nail to the head. Your idea is outstanding; the problem is something not enough folks are speaking intelligently about. I am delighted i found this around my look for something in regards to this. miami video production
Amazing short article. Your article influences a great deal of vital issues of our own modern society. Many of us can not be uninvolved for you to these kind of issues. This specific article presents ideas along with aspects. Quite helpful along with functional. que hacer en madrid
Great submit, the an extremely great website which you have the following, maintain the nice perform, will probably be again. https://www.mindgamesandtoys.com/usaopoly-hues-and-cues-vibrant-color-guessing-game/