A Tribe Called Quest's (Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Phife Dawg) third album "Midnight Marauders" (1993) is a Hip-Hop classic. Two of the early Rap albums I got as gifts, were this release and Tribe's previous album "<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Low-End-Theory/dp/B0000004X7/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Low End Theory</a>" (1991). Being [..]back then I did not really absorb the lyrics till years later, what I loved then and still love today was the production, the way Tribe infused an unforgettable blend of Rap, Funk and Jazz. The short intro "Midnight Marauders Tour Guide" echoes in my head years later, which is followed up the upbeat "Steve Biko" (Stir It Up). "Award Tour" is simply outstanding; love the beat, chorus, and lyrics to this cut. The beats get darker and the topics more substantial on cuts like "8 Million Stories", "Suck N****" and "Midnight". Then Tribe flips it back to more laidback tracks starting with the party cut "We Can Get Down", which is followed by the excellent "Electric Relaxation" a track that has Tribe talking to the ladies backed by an addictive beat.  The Tribe continued to shine on "Oh My God", the smooth "The Chase Pt 2" and "Lyrics to Go". The closing track "God Lives Through" finishes the album off on a high note. Reflective, fun and intelligent lyricism matched with Ali Shaheed Muhammad's out of this world production make "Midnight Marauders" an album I recommend for every collection.