Posted on 07/20/2005

 

A Tribe Called Quence mixtape is a 14-step program toward understanding the Consequence timeline. Albeit another prequel for his forthcoming debut LP, the mixtape works well to define where Consequence came up from. Remixes are center stage on Tribe, and Consequence "is on some fly shit like Tom Hanks in Apollo," wreaking havoc on the Tribe remixes. Consequently, the remixes demand an immediate second listen to ATCQ's Beats, Rhymes and Life— or at least the tracks that featured Cons.

Moss and Mr. Attic easily earn an upper echelon spot with a striking and catchy cop-show theme / dusty snare combo on "Niggaz Get Knocked," which also happens to be inscribed with some of Cons' fiercest words for those who snitch. Consequence manages to squeeze the sordid details of meetings with record label reps in his "The Bidding War" freestyle. But unlike Kanye did last year, for the rather popular album on which Cons guested, Consequence skillfully works the business end of inking deals into quick-witted rhymes rather than a clunky spoken story format.

And whether or not he threw it together on Pro Tools in 20 minutes, 9th Wonder's dulled beats and chopped strings for his revisit to Beat's "Word Play" suits Consequence's lethargic, half-finished words just fine.

For a guy who's etched his way into the books from a few verses that he spat as a teenager under the wings of Q-Tip and Phife, Consequence kills it again. And after more than 10 years, it doesn't sound like he's aged a bit. The full length will be welcomed with many open arms. Many open beers will be welcomed after said open arms open the record packaging. And then maybe an open bags of chips?