Beats, Rhymes & LifeA Tribe Called Quest · 1996

rollingstone

8.0

“"Damn, we ain’t prophets/And if you think so, you need to stop it." A Tribe Called Quest launch that fiery verbal projectile in "Get a Hold," a slamming, paradox-driven track from the group’s near-flawless fourth album, Beats, Rhymes and Life. A denial that serves as confirmation, the couplet snaps and frames the essence of this […]”

Gunnar

9.9

“**💭 Thoughts:** Running at 51 minutes, *Beats, Rhymes & Life* utilizes some of the best instrumentals and samples that I think the group has ever used, combined with some of the best flows and back-and-forth rapping that Q-Tip and Phife Dawg have done, along with the rapping from guest rapper Consequence. Underrated, and the album needs more recognition when it comes to the group’s best work. This is my personal favorite tribe album, tied with *Midnight Marauders*. **🎶 Tracklist Review** 1.) Phony Rappers 🟢 2.) Get a Hold 🔵🥈 3.) Motivators 🟡 4.) The Jam 🔵 5.) Crew 🔵 6.) The Pressure 🟢 7.) 1nce Again 🔵 8.) Mind Power 🔵 9.) The Hop 🔵🥇 10.) Keeping It Moving 🔵🥉 11.) Baby Phife’s Return 🟡 12.) Separate/Together 🔵 13.) What Really Goes On 🔵 14.) Word Play 🔵 15.) Stressed Out 🔵 ──────────────────── **🤔 Track Rating Scale** 🔵 Loved — Thoroughly enjoyed it and will revisit often. 🟢 Liked — Enjoyed it, but it’s not one I’d revisit often. 🟡 Mixed — Enjoyed it somewhat, but some aspects held it back for me; most likely won’t revisit. 🟠 Disliked — Didn’t enjoy it very much; won’t be revisiting. 🔴 Hated — Didn’t enjoy any part of it; no desire to revisit ever again. ⚪️ Interlude, etc. — Not rated as an actual song. ──────────────────── **🏅 Ranking Scale** 10 — Perfect 9 — Exceptional 8 — Great 7 — Good 6 — Decent 5 — Average 4 — Below Average 3 — Poor 2 — Bad 1 — Awful 0 — Unlistenable”

“This album is always one I kinda never go back to and I’m glad I gave it another try because it’s just rap at its most high and that’s nothing short of amazing from the funky production to the bragging from Q-Tip and Phife Dawg this is definitely an album I’ll keep having in my rotation”