The legacy left behind by A Tribe Called Quest was never in question although as the years go by, it feels like it is only getting stronger. All of the young Hip-hop fans that were around when Tribe’s third album, Midnight Marauders, was released thirty years ago have grown up into their own respective artists who are quick to credit the album as a major influence. You hear artists across genres praise Tribe’s third outing and the acclaim has only gotten stronger, as if the public’s initial reactions were anything less than overjoyed. The trio who seamlessly melded jazz and hip-hop together took their refreshing and unique sound to the next level with a concept album that pushed their artistry to the next level. That static voice that guides you through Midnight Marauders is almost as recognizable as the three diverse and iconic artists who brought it to life, and thirty years later, that disembodied voice still sends tingles down your spine.
A Tribe Called Quest’s third album was released on November 9 1993 and recorded within the same year, it was recorded at Battery Studios in New York City. When the time had arrived for their third album, the pressure was mounting up for Tribe. Coming off of the commercial success and artistic milestone that is The Low End Theory, the trio’s 1991 sophomore LP, the Hip-hop world was anxiously waiting for a follow-up. Back then, mystique and elusiveness was not the hot commodity it is today, waiting two years to follow up a hit album was almost a career death sentence. Thankfully, Tribe was able to ignore the booming sounds of pressure from labels and fans and take a daring leap in their artistry, and the results turned into one of the most iconic hip-hop albums of all time.
“Seven times out of ten, we listen to our music at night” claims the ominous narrator of Midnight Marauders, explaining the title of the LP. “The word ‘maraud’ means to loot, in this case, we maraud your ears”, and the trio did exactly that. As those horns welcome you to “Steve Biko (Stir It Up)” welcome you to the widely imaginative world of Tribe. They did more than successfully follow up their stunning sophomore release, Tribe created a moment. Everything from the ripping bass line of “Oh My God” to the whimsical melodies and sleek rhymes of “Lyrics to Go” showcase three artists who refuse compliance and continue to grow as artists. Tribe could’ve easily fallen to the pressures and repeated themselves, instead, they took their time, crafted an unforgettable listening experience, and built a world around their lofty ideas.
There isn’t much left to be said about A Tribe Called Quest’s Midnight Marauders. Every bit of praise is justified and its longevity at the top of the hip-hop mountain should never be in question. Take time out of your day to revisit this masterpiece and experience three legendary artists at the top of their game.
