The Love Movement
A Tribe Called Quest · 1998
73 min · 21 tracks · hip-hop
A smooth blend of jazz-inflected beats and introspective lyrics that encapsulate the essence of late '90s hip-hop innovation.
Top tracks — play these first
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Start It Up Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Find a Way — This track stands out with its infectious hook and poignant exploration of love and relationships, simultaneously capturing the group's signature sound while addressing personal themes.
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Like It Like That — With its laid-back groove and playful lyrics, this track exemplifies A Tribe Called Quest's ability to merge fun with thought-provoking commentary, making it a fan favorite.
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Against the World — The reflective nature of this track showcases the group's introspection amidst external pressures, highlighting their lyrical prowess and emotional depth during a transitional period.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends jazz influences with hip-hop, showcasing strong writing but uneven pacing.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that maintain a consistent mid-tempo groove, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and styles.
- Several tracks incorporate spoken word segments or skits, which disrupt the flow but add narrative depth.
- The production heavily relies on jazz samples, with intricate layering of instruments creating a rich sonic texture.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- thoughtful, reflective listening moments
- steady groove for relaxed vibes
- dynamic interplay of voices
- longer tracks for deep engagement
- uplifting themes of connection
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Final studio album showcasing continued evolution in sound and relevance.
- Career context
- Released in 1998, The Love Movement was A Tribe Called Quest's fifth and final studio album, coming after their critically acclaimed record, The Midnight Marauders. At this point in their career, the group faced increasing pressure from the evolving hip-hop landscape and tensions within the group itself, making this release a bittersweet farewell to their pioneering sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- De La Soul· The Roots· Gang Starr
Tracklist
- 1 Start It Up Start here 3:19
- 2 Find a Way 3:23
- 3 Da Booty 3:21
- 4 Steppin’ It Up 3:22
- 5 Like It Like That 2:47
- 6 Common Ground (Get It Goin’ On) 2:50
- 7 4 Moms 1:49
- 8 His Name Is Mutty Ranks 1:56
- 9 Give Me 3:52
- 10 Pad & Pen 3:23
- 11 Busta’s Lament 2:39
- 12 Hot 4 U 3:16
- 13 Against the World 3:59
- 14 The Love 4:03
- 15 Rock Rock Y’all 4:27
- 16 Scenario (remix) 5:18
- 17 Money Maker 4:22
- 18 Hot Sex 2:46
- 19 Oh My God (remix) 4:02
- 20 Jazz (We’ve Got) (re‐recording radio) 4:19
- 21 One Two S**t 4:31
What to play next
Beats, Rhymes and Life
1996
It continues the introspective themes with a similar jazzy sound.
The Low End Theory
1991
This album sets the stage with foundational jazz-inflected hip-hop elements.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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