Go Ahead in the Rain: Notes to A Tribe Called Quest

The Low End Theory and Midnight Marauders are just two of the masterpieces that brought jazz into rap. Seventeen years after their last album, A Tribe Called Quest returned with We Got It from Here . . . Thank You 4 Your Service, a socially conscious record that resonated deeply with fans in need of it most. Poet and essayist Hanif Abdurraqib explores the group's history, drawing on his own experience to reflect on their distinctive sound. Abdurraqib delves into A Tribe Called Quest's creative career, tracing their journey from the Native Tongues collective to their eventual breakup and long hiatus. He connects the music and cultural history to their street-level impact, recalling moments like The Source magazine cover announcing their 1998 breakup. Through personal letters and memories, Abdurraqib seeks to understand the deeper truths of A Tribe Called Quest. Their story is placed within the broader rap landscape of the 1990s, marked by sampling laws, the East Coast/West Coast rivalry, and a shift in record labels' focus from groups to individual MCs. This narrative offers a nuanced exploration of how A Tribe Called Quest's sound resonated with fans like Abdurraqib, and continues to be felt today.