A Tribe Called Quest

In November and December of 2020, Parcast spearheaded a daily-show series called Today in Music History. Each staff writer claimed an episode on an artist they connected with and shed light on the artist’s background as well as the historical moment that tied in with the particular day the episode was aired.

I wrote an episode on A Tribe Called Quest, which performed their hit song “Can I Kick It?” for The Tonight Show on November 13th, 2015 to promote the 25th anniversary edition of their debut album People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm.

To many, “Tribe” made Afrocentrism mainstram, rapping about their experiences on the streets of New York City in the 80s, while incorporating referential jazz sounds and classic albums. Their reunion on The Tonight Show came to hold even more weight when in March 2016, member Phife Dawg passed away at age 45.

Despite the interpersonal conflict the group navigated across the years, their music leaves a neo-soul legacy that continues to shape hip-hop, the broader landscape of music, and creativity in all its forms.

Listen here.