A Tribe Called Quest

The early-1990s advent of A Tribe Called Quest represented one of the key evolutions in rap music. The New York group signalled a shift from the boisterous braggadocio of the old school to a more laid-back, fun-loving form buoyed by sophisticated production and thoughtful, positive lyrics. The Tribe's hallmarks were all in evidence on their debut: the low-key delivery of lead rapper Q-Tip, the jazzy instrumental touches, and the oddball samples. Over the next few releases, the group showed major growth, musically and lyrically, pushing the boundaries of hip-hop and influencing a new generation of rappers in the process.

• pop
• hip hop/rap
• 1990s