Monday, December 7, 1998
A journey’s end
Playing the last show of their final tour, A Tribe Called Quest
took the stage at the House of Blues on Wednesday to perform cuts
off recent albums, revive old favorites, and say their goodbyes
By Tenoch Flores
Daily Bruin Contributor
Many people hung their heads in anticipation of the festive
funeral about to take place. People from all walks of life came to
see one of the most respected hip-hop groups perform for the last
time. Wednesday night’s performance at the House of Blues would be
the last stop on A Tribe Called Quest’s final tour.
Tribe affiliates and Detroit natives, Slum Village, was first up
to bat. Accompanied by their producer, JD (whose song credits
include Tribe’s "Find A Way" and Pharcyde’s "Runnin’"), Slum
Village delivered an enthusiastic performance. Initially, the crowd
seemed excited by Slum Village’s set, but as its performance began
winding down, the crowd moved very little.
Much to the audience’s delight, Blackstar took the stage soon
afterward. Mos Def and Talib Kweli proceeded to move the crowd with
ease as they kicked rhymes over other group’s instrumentals, such
as Missin’ Linx’s
"M.I.A.". Mos Def showed strong stage presence, appearing to
have the crowd in total control while he and Kweli traded rhymes
back and forth. Blackstar finished up with "RE: Definition" to slow
things down a bit, and then it was only a matter of time before the
Tribe took the stage.
Greeted by a wave of cheers, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Q-Tip and
Phife rushed the stage with the confidence that 10 years in the rap
game allows. Even Jarobi (otherwise known as "that guy from the
first album") appeared, and the crowd was itching to feel the
vibes.
Opening with "Common Ground" from their latest album "The Love
Movement," the Tribe started things off a little slow. The audience
didn’t seem to mind the slow start; "This is Tribe, who cares what
they play!" seemed to be the attitude permeating the venue on this
night.
When they went into their next song "Buggin’ Out," from 1991’s
classic album, "The Low End Theory," the House’s enthusiasm level
doubled. As Phife ran through his verse, with the crowd following
along on pace, the scope of the Tribe’s popularity (extending far
beyond fans of hip-hop music) was apparent once again.
Everyone in the house knew the words to the song, men and women
of all ethnic groups. The crowd’s diversity, unusual in standard
concerts, stood as just one more testament to the quality of music
that the Tribe creates.
Sadly, the difference in the crowd’s reaction toward the first
two songs illustrated what everyone had been thinking but was too
scared to say: the last two Tribe albums simply pale in comparison
to the group’s previous three. This became apparent throughout the
night as the newer material received a "warm" reaction compared to
the intensity wrung forth by older songs.
All that aside, Tribe went on to play "Oh My God" off of the
"Midnight Marauders" album, delighting fans. As the bouncy rhythm
spilled through Q-Tip’s verse, the Tribe regained their vibe.
But when Tribe performed the occasional song from their new
album, audience energy waned. Nevertheless "Bonita Applebum" got
the crowd right back in the game. As the group performed what has
become the ultimate hip-hop love song, everyone approvingly swayed
along.
After performing the classics "Jazz (We’ve Got)" and "Steve
Biko," Q-Tip took time out to talk to the audience. He thanked fans
for their support, which he claimed allowed the Tribe to make music
"for the love (of music.)"
Once that was said and done, he asked for song requests,
specifying that they be album cuts. Enough people, however, asked
for "Hot Sex" off of the Boomerang soundtrack that the group made
an exception.
Unfortunately, sound system problems, which sometimes included
off-level pitches and indistinguishable instrumentals, destroyed
the piece. When Tribe began "Hot Sex," the entrancing beat
accompanying the song was hardly audible.
Some of the crowd made out the beat and recognized it
immediately. Dissatisfied with crowd participation, Q-Tip asked
Shaheed to cut the track right before he dropped his verse.
It must be understood that this song is so highly regarded by
fans of the Tribe that many felt it was well worth buying the
entire R&B-filled Boomerang soundtrack just for it. To cut the
song in the middle of performing it did the crowd a true
disservice.
Once again, the audience had to be brought back into the vibe.
"Electric Relaxation" was the savior of choice. Another song from
the "Midnight Marauders" album, this one pleased everyone
immediately.
Afterward, Tribe played "Can I Kick It?" for what appeared to be
their final song, much to the audience’s dismay. Knowing this could
not be the final offering, not a single person headed for the
doors.
Sure enough they came out again to do "Scenario," driving fans
crazy. Then the moment most everyone was waiting for, "Check The
Rhime"came on.
As the jazzy sounds filled the room, everyone was moving. It was
this song that propelled Tribe to the lofty status they have
enjoyed ever since. Next they performed the song which pulled
everyone onto their bandwagon, "Award Tour."
The show ended with their newest single, "Find A Way". An
appropriate choice, this was one of the newer songs that did enjoy
the same approval as that of their earlier material. There would be
no return to the stage this time; the show was over.
Though inconsistent at times, Wednesday night’s House of Blues
show proved to be one to remember. If nothing else, it was the last
stop on A Tribe Called Quest’s final tour, and those who witnessed
the event were lucky just for that.
Though satisfied, those leaving the House of Blues went home
with an unpleasant chore on their minds: getting used to the idea
of hip-hop without A Tribe Called Quest.
Jive Records
(Left to right) Phife, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Q-Tip make up
the hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest. The band played at the
House of Blues on Wednesday.
Jive Records
(Left to right) Phife, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Q-Tip make up
the hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest. The band played at the
House of Blues on Wednesday.
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