Beats, Rhymes and Life is the 4th studio album by ATCQ originally released in 1996 and incorporated J Dilla as one of the albums producers on several tracks.
With their fourth album Beats, Rhymes and Life, A Tribe Called Quest manages to be one of the few hip-hop acts to successfully age by pushing both their music and their lyrics into new directions. Stylistically, the record is closest to its immediate predecessor, Midnight Marauders, in the sense that the group's jazz-rap fusion are downplayed and the beat stays surprisingly hard throughout the album.
What distinguishes Beats, Rhymes and Life from Marauders is a deeper sense not only of eclectism, but of spirituality and maturity. Shortly before the album was written and recorded, Q-Tip converted to Islam and the religion's ideals are an undercurrent in nearly every track on the album. But what really stands out is Tip's unease with the transience of the youth-oriented hip-hop scene and his own urges to settle down. Unlike most rappers, he confronts these feelings in the music, by writing lyrics and helping to create music that illustrates the contradictions of growing old with hip-hop. And by tackling the issue head-on, A Tribe Called Quest sound fresh and suggest that it is possible to sustain a career in rap as you approach a full decade of recording, after all.
Phony Rappers
Get A Hold
Motivators
Jam
Crew
The Pressure
1nce Again
Mind Power
The Hop
Keeping It Moving
Baby Phife's Return
Separate/Together
What Really Goes On
Word Play
Stressed Out
Important information when ordering with Fatbeats.com
Order Processing Time
Online orders are processed within *3-4 business days or *7-9 business days depending on availability.
Order processing time is separate from shipping time requested.
Pre-Orders
We try and offer as many upcoming projects available for pre-order when the releases have moved into production. However, due to the nature of manufacturing and production, pre-order dates may change.
If your order contains pre-order items with a release date further than 30 days from the date of purchase, we will split all in-stock items from your order and ship them immediately. Please specify in the comments section of the checkout if you would like to hold your order until it can be entirely fulfilled.
Out of Stock Items
Our stock rapidly changes and we try and set in place a system that avoids purchasing items that become out of stock. However, if a product ordered is out of stock or on back-order, we will reach out and give you the chance to change or cancel your order. If you choose to cancel, you will be refunded in full.
Digital Items
If your order contains digital items you will receive a digital download link after checkout and it will also be sent to the email provided at checkout.
Return Policy
All sales are final. However, if the item ordered is different from the item you receive, please contact us and we can arrange to get you the desired product.