A Tribe Called Quest is back. We've been waiting 18 years for this, and this album does not disappoint.
The rhythm on this joint is so funky, and the lyrics are on point given the political climate. ATCQ offers an inspiring call to action right from the get-go with "The Space Program, the first track off the record.
🎶 Move on to the stars 🎶
What a year it's been for losing musical legends.
Last night, as news broke that the great Leonard Cohen had passed away, I exchanged messages of grief and sadness with old friends who have, like me, been so touched by his music and poetry. One noted, poignantly, that "God is building a supergroup."
The lyrics and melody of "Hallelujah" have always touched me, whether performed by Cohen himself or covered by others -- Jeff Buckley's rendition stands out for me in particular.
In positive news, today ATCQ released their first album in 18 years. (More to come on that tomorrow.)
For now, we celebrate the music, the art, and the legacy of Leonard Cohen.
And here's Jeff Buckley's hauntingly beautiful rendition of the song, made famous by John Cale's cover (also below).
Finally, last but not least, here's the great Canadian singer and pianist Rufus Wainwright with his take on the ballad, accompanied by Choir! Choir! Choir!.
🎶 Do I love you? Do I lust for you? Am I a sinner 'cause I do the two? 🎶
What do you get when you mix elements from three of the greatest R&B and hip-hop acts of the 90s? Take the incredible Dawn Robinson of En Vogue, Raphael Saadiq of Tony! Toni! Toné!, and the killer DJ and beatmaker Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest, and the result is pure soulful magic.
Go ahead and floss your ice, go ahead do what you like. Let's dance, baby, yeah.
While this hip hop crew disbanded many moons ago, and we tragically lost MC Phife Dawg earlier this year, ATCQ's beats and rhymes continue to live on in our lives. This is one of their funkiest and the perfect jam for an evening living room dance party, in my experience. You should know.