Stop What You’re Doing: A Tribe Called Quest’s New Album Is Here, and It’s Incredible
Look, you don’t need me to tell you that it’s been a shitty week. The last few days have been among the darkest and most perplexing of a perpetually dark and perplexing year. Which is why I’m so very thankful, so grateful beyond words, that I get to head into the weekend with new music from A Tribe Called Quest blaring defiantly, joyfully, into my earbuds.
The very existence of this album, We got it from Here… Thank You 4 Your service, is a miracle. When we lost Phife Dawg — the Five Foot Assassin, Tribe’s beating heart — in March, who could’ve predicted that eight months later, we’d get to hear him spit fresh verses alongside Tip, Ali and Jairobi one last time? Who would’ve guessed they’d be able to round up the likes of Andre 3000, Kanye West, Jack White, Kendrick Lamar, Talib Kweli and Anderson .Paak to help them do it? And who would’ve known that, after all this time apart, the thing would still sound so damn dope?
There’s a lot to be said about these songs, obviously. A lot to analyze, unpack, consider. But let’s save that for another day. For god’s sake, we’ve had enough on our minds this week, haven’t we? Right now, just put this album on, and let it all go. Revel in its funkiness, its nimbleness, its life. Feel exuberant and emboldened and empowered and rejuvenated and get ready to fight another day. We’re all still here. Take a listen, and let yourself enjoy it. You deserve it.
