Rawr, rawr, like a dungeon dragon
A Tribe Called Quest - 'Scenario' (The Low End Theory - 1991)
A Tribe Called Quest’s second album, The Low End Theory, is today recognised as a pivotal release even during the so-called Golden Age of hip-hop. Like many records of this era, it has a reflective and intellectual depth that contrasts with the boasting and aggression commonly associated with the broader genre. The group's extensive use of jazz samples on The Low End Theory was revolutionary. They dug deep into the crates to incorporate elements from artists such as Art Blakey, Jack DeJohnette, and Grant Green. The fusion of jazz and boom-bap was enough for some to dub them the founders of jazz rap, standing opposite the more gangsta rap stylings of other groups such as N.W.A, Ice Cube, Geto Boys and Ice-T.
‘Scenario’ was the third single from the 1991 album, and the song is often recognised as one of the group's most popular and successful tracks. It hosts several samples with The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Ohio Players and Kool & The Gang joining jazz organist Jack McDuff on the crate-plundering track1.
The song borrows phrases liberally from popular culture, such as Bo Jackson's Nike slogan "Bo Knows" and the sleep aid product Nytol's "Nytol will help you get your Z's”, A phrase like "How now, brown cow," originally used to teach rounded vowel sounds to students, was repurposed by the group to illustrate their ascent. A Tribe Called Quest were a leading voice in the conscious hip-hop movement, using their music to highlight social issues and promoting positivity in a genre often maligned for its violence and obscenity.
The song didn’t just include members of ATCQ but also other members of The Native Tongue, Leaders of the New School, with nineteen-year-old Busta Rhymes, one of the breakout stars of the song thanks to his explosive verse at the end of one of the best examples of a posse cut in the history of hip-hop.
In a 2012 interview with XXL to commemorate the 20th anniversary of ‘Scenario’, Busta Rhymes recalls how his section within Q-Tip’s verse came together:
Tip wrote my part that I said in his verse. He had his rhyme written, and he told me to say his part. He did it in a Busta Rhymes style so when I did it, it sounded like I did it. […] That was his idea. Once it got to the, ‘As I combine all the juice from the mind,’ that was me all day. He heard that 16 bars of the verse I said, he said, ‘N***a, I’m gonna set you up to come in so crazy. […] I was like, ‘Alright, big homie what you got in mind for me?’ He said, ‘I want you to say this line in my verse.’
Q-Tip discusses the impact of Busta Rhymes’s recording in the video below.
In 1998, Rhymes voiced an actual roaring dragon as Reptar Wagon in the animated Rugrats Movie, a reference to the line quoted in the headline of this article. His unique style and energy brought a fresh dynamic to the song, marking him as a future star.
'Scenario' was more than a song; it was a sonic playground where the band and guest artists flexed their creative muscles. As a testament to the track's far-reaching influence, phrases from 'Scenario' have been repeatedly referenced in pop culture. Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies gave the nod to the line "Chickity Choco" in their song 'One Week,' and Das Racist's track 'Who's That?' pays homage by referencing and sampling 'Scenario' throughout.
As the album’s closing track, it serves as a fitting crescendo to their musical narrative. It encapsulates their inventive soundscapes, socially aware lyricism, and a knack for nurturing budding talent. It also stands out as one of the more energetic and bombastic songs on an album more known for the laid-back nature of its jazzy beats.
The legacy of 'Scenario' extends beyond its original release, with the remixed version garnering significant popularity among fans. This version was featured on the B-side of the 12" single release and appeared in the limited edition of the group's 1998 album, The Love Movement. The song's enduring appeal was highlighted when Time included it on an 'All-Time 100 Songs' list.
A Tribe Called Quest's influential touch is evident in successive generations of hip-hop artists. Icons such as Kanye West, OutKast, and Common have all cited the group as key influences. At the same time, newer talents like J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar also attribute a significant portion of their stylistic evolution to the pioneering work of A Tribe Called Quest. Thus, 'Scenario' and its creators continue reverberating through the annals of hip-hop history.
The Run Out Grooves Infinite Loops
If you want more on this era of hip-hop, we looked at De La Soul’s masterpiece last year.
‘Little Miss Lover’ by The Jimi Hendrix Experience, ‘Ecstasy’ by The Ohio Players, ‘Soul Vibrations’ by Kool & the Gang, and ‘Oblighetto’ by Jack McDuff.
Am I too old to use the term "banger" to describe this track? Still sounds as good as ever (and can only be played LOUD).