When we really needed it most, A Tribe Called Quest released their final album. They had recorded some stuff before the late, great Phife Dawg passed away, and with the terribleness that was last week, this record was a much needed breath of fresh air from one of America's greatest bands. I was so, so excited to listen to this record on Friday morning. I woke up, ate some breakfast, then bought the album. I went to do some work with my kids, so the moment we got in the car I figured I could listen with them. Sure, ATCQ uses foul language, but it's not as bad as some may think. But, I also have a very impressionable 4 year old, and a 1 year old that is like a parrot. So, after the first song, I decided it would be better to wait and listen on my own.

The wait was very, very hard, Finally, I got some alone time in the afternoon, went for a drive while my folks watched the kids, and cranked "We Got It From Here...Thank You 4 Your Service". I was absolutely blown away. It was like going back in time. The band was all there and they all sounded great. The record is very Q-Tip heavy, as expected, but that is a very good thing. And Phife Dawg's verses, my god I wish he were still alive. He sounds so god damn good on this album. He picked up right where ATCQ left off. He is just as gruff and great as he ever was. Every time I listen to the record now, it makes me miss him that much more. He was such an important voice in hip hop, and for me personally. I love Phife Dawg. He is one hundred percent on my Mount Rushmore of rappers, probably only behind the Notorious B.I.G. His verses on the first 2 tracks of the record are absolute highlights for me. He was incredible.

That's not to say that Q-Tip isn't rocking the mic as well. Q-Tip sounds as silky smooth as fans should expect. But, this time around, he has a slight anger in his voice. I really like this. It seems like his time away as a solo artist has hardened him, in the best possible way. He is wonderful on the album.

Ali Shaheed Mohammed is doing his great DJ work as usual, and chipping in a verse here and there. I do not think there is another artist that is more underappreciated than Ali Shaheed Mohammed. He is an incredible beat maker/producer/DJ/rapper. He is truly a jack of all trades, and a very important part of ATCQ. Jarobi even shows up saying a few things on some tracks. It was just so great to have the group back together and sounding as fresh as they did when they first exploded on the scene.

Then, the guest list on this album is awesome. Busta Rhymes makes a triumphant return to rap music. He sounds incredible on this record. He is rapping fast, furiously and with a purpose. It was a rebirth of sorts for him. He was great on "SNL" with them this past week too. I hope this leads to some new Busta Rhymes music on the horizon. Kendrick Lamar is there, and he is great, proving that he is the best rapper currently in the game. He is awesome, and he also sounds grateful to be included on this record. He knows the history of rap, and he respects that ATCQ is one of the greats, and one of his biggest influences, and it shows. Lamar is an incredibly gifted rapper. Jack White, who I'm not a fan of, does some excellent guitar work on a few of the songs. He does not sing, which I think is a good thing, but his guitar really works with the tracks that he is featured on. It reminds me a lot of the Blakroc thing that the Black Keys did with a bunch of rappers, Q-Tip being one of them, a few years back.

This record is astounding. It is one of the better albums to come out in a long time. I can already tell you now that it will be on my "Best Of" lists for 2016. I have not stopped listening to the album since I bought it. I have talked to friends, young and old, and they all agree that it is great. I'm so pleased that we got one more thing from ATCQ. It stinks that Phife passed away, but we will forever have his music, and this lasting impression, on this record, is a great way to honor his memory.

Thank you Tribe, we needed you guys now more than ever. Go buy this record people, you will not be disappointed.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. Go check out his argument for A Tribe Called Quest being the Greatest American Band. Follow Ty on instagram and twitter.

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