A Tribe Called Quest are widely hailed as one of the greatest rap acts of all time. This trio (2-mic pioneers, Phife Dawg & Q-Tip, along with their DJ Ali Shaheed Muhammad) was one of the most lyrically gifted in the music genre of Hip-Hop. The blends of jazz 'n bass-heavy beats (East Coast "muddy bass”) was truly and still is truly innovative. Instead of being a great rap album like the one before it, “Beats, Rhymes & Life” is a great Tribe album. It takes time to understand it but it fits perfectly in its place in the Tribe canon and in the mid- 90s. It has their trademark smooth style and flow with a much darker theme and subject matter than their previous album. It's a real work of art and still fresh so many years after its release.