A Tribe Called Quest has long been a pivotal act in Hip-Hop.

When they debuted in the early '90s, they brought something new to the table—a sound that would resonate with artists for decades, a lineage that threads through the works of Little Brother — who named themselves as a nod to being Tribe's proverbial younger siblings — and Kendrick Lamar to Slum Village, The Neptunes, Tyler, The Creator, Rapsody, J. Cole and countless more.

Their ascent began with the critical acclaim of 1990's People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, following in the footsteps of the Jungle Brothers and De La Soul. But it was Low End Theory and Midnight Marauders that truly etched their names into Hip-Hop's hall of fame, marrying jazz and Hip-Hop in a way that the game had never seen.

"We’re all [Q-Tip’s] sons," Pharrell Williams has said. "Myself, J Dilla, Kanye, we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Tribe albums."

There's no denying the monster impact A Tribe Called Quest has had on the industry, shaping the sound and careers of some of the most innovative artists in Hip-Hop and beyond.

"Tribe was my gateway to Hip-Hop," Robert Glasper, jazz pianist and producer, revealed in a 2016 interview, underscoring the group's pivotal role in fusing Hip-Hop with jazz. Tracks like “Jazz (We’ve Got)” sampled the greats like Freddie Hubbard and brought a new audience to rap music.

Here are just a few reasons why Midnight Marauders is not only Tribe's best work, but one of the best albums of the past century.

#1 - Innovative production and insightful lyricism. Tribe reached their zenith on this album, with tracks like "Award Tour" and "Electric Relaxation" exemplifying a flawless fusion of lyrical astuteness and unending musicality. They start it off right with “Steve Biko (Stir It Up)” (named for the famous South African freedom fighter), a proper reminder of the creative energy Tribe brought to the table. 

#2 - Consistent brilliance.

From start to finish, Midnight Marauders doesn’t dip in quality. There are no throwaway tracks—each song could stand alone as a single, which is a testament to the album’s excellence. Listen to a track like "Lyrics to Go," which finds ATCQ leaning into their love for iconic singer/songwriter Minne Riperton. They sample “Inside My Love" on this one, which served as the B-Side to “Oh My God" featuring Busta Rhymes.

#3 - Sonic brilliance.

Ali Shaheed Muhammad's description of the group as "sound thieves looting your ears" is no hyperbole. This is the kind of album that sinks into your skin, and leaves you better for it. Take the lead single from the album, "Award Tour" featuring De La Soul's Trugoy The Dove. It's clear Tribe was declaring their place, as Phife insists on the second verse: “Never let a statue tell me how nice I am…” The line takes on new meaning when you consider they’ve never won a Grammy.

#4 - It's the perfect introduction to Tribe.

Yes, Low End Theory is often debated as Tribe's best album. But if you want to introduce someone to Tribe for the very first time, Midnight Marauders is your best bet. It represents the group at their peak and serves as a prime example of why they're considered to be one of the greatest groups in Hip-Hop history. Listen to a standout on the album, “Electric Relaxation," the second single. It's basically a perfect song. Phife remembered the moment he stepped into his Grandma's house and heard the beat emanating from the basement. Q-Tip was down there, masterfully sampling Ronnie Foster’s “Mystic Brew,” and Phife knew instantly that they were onto something extraordinary. It was the two of them, Phife and Q-Tip, in their prime, exchanging verses that would become iconic. Among these, Phife's opening line stands out: “I like them brown, Puerto Rican or Haitian…” —a line that would be recited by fans for years to come.