We Got It From Here...Thank You 4 Your Service
by A Tribe Called Quest
  • Record Label: Epic
  • Release Date: Nov 11, 2016
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 343 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 319 out of 343
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 343
  3. Negative: 19 out of 343
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  1. clockradiospeak
    Nov 15, 2016
    10
    I was hoping for a good album, with a few great tracks. What we got was the spiritual successor to Midnight Marauders. I haven't played anything else since its release...wow.
  2. EStrick7
    Nov 16, 2016
    10
    This is a triumph. After seeing the internal conflict and end of Tribe in the Beats doc....to know Tip & Phife repaired their relationship and created a masterpiece all under the radar deserves respect. What's even more awesome is you can hear them pushing their sound without being enslaved to their previous masterpieces. This is Tribe saying, "We are here to say farewell, because there isThis is a triumph. After seeing the internal conflict and end of Tribe in the Beats doc....to know Tip & Phife repaired their relationship and created a masterpiece all under the radar deserves respect. What's even more awesome is you can hear them pushing their sound without being enslaved to their previous masterpieces. This is Tribe saying, "We are here to say farewell, because there is no Tribe without our beloved brother Phife. But LISTEN TO THIS...because we did not dial in our last performance. We went for it." And succeed they did. My faves: Solid Wall of Sound, Dis Generation, Kids, Melatonin, Black Spasmodic...OMG… Expand
  3. eljefe651
    Nov 16, 2016
    9
    This album came at the exact right time. I honestly was skeptical about this being any good, but holy balls was I wrong. Also, De La and Tribe both released new albums in 2016! What a crazy year its been.
  4. TheReviewer24
    Nov 16, 2016
    10
    A Tribe Called Quest has been my favourite Rap Group of all time and they did not disappoint with this comeback album. It is more than I could've ever asked from a comeback album.
  5. mikefaulds
    Nov 17, 2016
    10
    Amazing album. I have been a long-time Tribe Called Quest fan and when I heard this album was coming out I was a little worried. This album manages to sound like an album from the 90s but also leaves with a feel from 2016.
  6. Flofloswaggaboi
    Nov 27, 2016
    10
    A perfect finale. Although there is plenty of nostalgia in this record, it is not a recreation of ATCQ's old style. The music is beautiful and dynamic, somtimes smooth others hard. The tributes to Phife Dawg are fantastic too. I am glad to hear that Jarobi is on the album and delivers fantastic verses.
  7. truce_m3
    Nov 17, 2016
    10
    Quality + Poignancy + Timeliness + Nostalgia = Album Of The Year

    This album somehow exceeded all expectations. Q-tip's production is nearly flawless. The lyrics are almost prescient. And they pay enough homage to Phife without allowing it to weigh the album down. This could've been a worn out victory lap of an album; instead, Tribe goes out on top.
  8. RahulB
    Apr 15, 2017
    9
    Almost 20 years later these guys come out with an album that is old school, and is their good bye to rap but these guys ended it with a great album talking about the issues in the world but also talking about rap and they even give shout out to rappers they like themselves.
  9. Andremax
    Jul 12, 2018
    9
    Pure Hip-Hop with heavy and creative beats, inspirated flows and interesting rhymes. Not their best album (listen to The Low End Theory (1991) & Midnight Marauders (1993)), but still amazing and is worth so much. Soon gonna be a classic.
  10. Mcgillacuddy
    Dec 6, 2016
    10
    It's been 18 years. 18 YEARS. This... this THING is just downright NASTY and an instant classic from top to bottom. You miss the good ol' days of rap music? Cop this ASAP, no questions asked.

    *puts headphones on*
    "All you black folks, you must go..."
  11. jesseurbancsik
    Nov 18, 2016
    10
    Shockingly, this is my first time listening to a Quest album and I am heavily impressed and WILL be going back to enjoy their earlier albums. Highlights of this album are The Space Program and Solid Wall of Sound. Love all the features and the lyrics seem relevant to today.
  12. Higo
    Dec 4, 2016
    10
    We rarely are treated to such a good album from an artist, let alone a rap group. So any hip hop/rap fan should try out this album.
    In my opinion the vast selection of tastes and smart lyrics along with phife dawg's sad passing have made this the greatest album of this decade, and will be remembered for the years to come. Give this album a shot, there are no weak songs it's all taste on a    We rarely are treated to such a good album from an artist, let alone a rap group. So any hip hop/rap fan should try out this album.
    In my opinion the vast selection of tastes and smart lyrics along with phife dawg's sad passing have made this the greatest album of this decade, and will be remembered for the years to come. Give this album a shot, there are no weak songs it's all taste on a few like "The Donald".    … Expand
  13. Jared9001
    Mar 22, 2017
    10
    This is without a doubt my favorite album of 2016. ‘We got it from here… thank you 4 your service” is the latest and final release from the massively influential 90’s hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest, and the expertise and power that they exhibit when delivering this record is absolutely astounding. This is the first release from the group since 1998’s “The Love Movement”, which, forThis is without a doubt my favorite album of 2016. ‘We got it from here… thank you 4 your service” is the latest and final release from the massively influential 90’s hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest, and the expertise and power that they exhibit when delivering this record is absolutely astounding. This is the first release from the group since 1998’s “The Love Movement”, which, for those who aren’t counting, was 18 years ago. But despite the huge gap in release from Tribe, their sound and delivery is as fresh, forward-thinking, poignant, jazzy, and brilliant as it has always been. “We got it from here… thank you 4 your service” dabbles in various different instrumental styles, with tons of features with various artists that help to diversify the records sound. The opening track, “Space Program” has the classic warmness and vibrant-ness of classic Tribe, with a crisp and clear instrumentation to support the solid and speedy vocal performances of the group’s MC’s, who pick up each others rhymes and flows with ease, and the track flows very naturally because of this. The entire song is framed as a sci-fi metaphor, with allusions to space with crisp maniacal laughing sampled in the background. It isn’t until the end of the track that Q-Tip reveals the song to be a metaphor for gentrification, and it is this instant where it becomes clear how much of an allegorical and poetical ride “We got it from here” is. Each track on the record focuses on a different topic, whether it be racial tension, homophobia, gang violence, sexism, etc, and every single track hits its intended mark. The record is always conscious of how to address the current attitude of the American psyche’s view towards these issues without being overly aggressive and disrespectful, while still being honest and staying poignant. Tribe also borrows other notable artists to add more diversity into their already diverse instrumental and vocal sounds. Longtime contributors Busta Rhymes and Consequence return, and are featured so prominently on the record that feel as if they're part of the group. Busta’s verses on this album are absolutely insane, and he proves once again to be a force to be reckoned with and is a definite highlight of the album for me. Other notable talents from all across the hip-hop genre are utilized here, such as Kendrick Lamar, Talib Kweli, Andre 3000, Kanye West, and Anderson .Paak as well as, surprisingly, Elton John and Jack White. However, these features never take away from who the album is really about, and are utilized only when needed, such as White delivering his distinctive dissonant guitar riffs on “Solid Wall Of Sound”, coupled with a classic vocal and piano performance from Elton John (a song that really lives up to its name, hitting the listener with what quite literally feels like a solid wall of sound), or Kendrick Lamar’s violently fast but short apocalyptic verse on “Conrad Tokyo”. The track “Dis Generation” features numerous in-jokes and subtle references for Tribe fans, which maintain to be self-referential without being self-serving, which really garners more respect from me for these veterans of their genre. This record, in general just feels good. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I have listened to this album every single day since I first listened to it- that is how great it is to really listen to. Everyone on this album just feels to be in sync to not only create a great piece of music, but to deliver a great experience, and it really truly shows. Everything feels very classic and analog, a sound that I personally prefer to the clean and over-produced tracks that are common in hip-hop today. In some ways, this album feels like a sequel to 1991 record “Low End Theory”, due to how it approaches its production. But even then, “We got it from here” is clear in being it’s own thing, as it never tries to ever only be one type of album. It always wants to be a new Tribe record, plain and simple, without trying to cash-in on the nostalgia that could very easily be associated with the group. But this doesn’t ever happen. Even with the death of one of their key members, Phife Dawg, who died eight months prior to the albums release and halfway during its production, his death is never the focus of the album, while still acknowledging it in very reflective moments i that come across as sincere and warm without ever being sappy or overly nostalgic. This is the closest thing to a perfect music experience I have ever heard, and I am absolutely not exaggerating when I say that. Since its release, I have listened to this record at least once every day, front-to-back, and I haven’t gotten even a little bit sick of it. If you love hip-hop, and even if you don’t, you owe it to yourself to give this record a listen, because it is absolutely the best album of 2016.… Expand
  14. upmysleeves
    Jun 9, 2018
    10
    A triumphant return for Tribe. I can safely say this is one of the best comeback albums ever recorded. Not a single weak verse, feature, hook or instrumental. Tribe manages to maintain their signature jazz and east coast sound while adapting to modern lyrical themes. This record solidifies A Tribe Called Quest as the most prolific hip hop group ever conceived.
  15. numeric
    Nov 15, 2016
    9
    I had my doubts when they announced a new ATCQ record after almost 20 years — but the Tribe have come correct on this one. The essence is there without being a total throwback to the 90s. The sound is modern and the deliveries are fresh. You can sense all contributors were in sync when it came down to crafting this gem.
  16. yoshimon3
    Nov 14, 2016
    10
    Production is perfect, lyrical content perfect, features add to it rather than muck it up (Wall of Sound), and there isn’t a single bad track. Combines everything that made them great with new, improved features (such as more conscious lyrics and faster and more developed rhyming). Great samples (especially Elton), and honestly no gripes. Andre convinces me that he should have been part ofProduction is perfect, lyrical content perfect, features add to it rather than muck it up (Wall of Sound), and there isn’t a single bad track. Combines everything that made them great with new, improved features (such as more conscious lyrics and faster and more developed rhyming). Great samples (especially Elton), and honestly no gripes. Andre convinces me that he should have been part of Tribe, and the music blends perfectly with the rapping. Not a total mournfest like we feared it would be, but as Tip put it, it’s pure hip hop. A seance and swan song, it’s the most standout rap album of the year. Tribe’s legacy is secured, they are one of the greatest artists of all time. Blew me away on 5th listen. Melancholic, dope and jazzy in equal measure, the Tribe charm is still here, and the flame still burning. Long live the Tribe! 10/10… Expand
  17. funkyhomosapien
    Nov 14, 2016
    10
    Best hip-hop album of the year.No weak songs,no bad guest performances.We The People,Lost Somebody,Kids,Mobius,Black Spasmodic,Solid Wall of Sound are some of my favorites.
  18. aKidNamedConnor
    Nov 17, 2016
    9
    The best album of 2016 solely for how perfect everything worked out. A Tribe Called Quest could have easily milked their popularity, resting on nostalgia and returning with a shrug. Thankfully, this couldn't be further from the truth. We Got It From Here...Thank You 4 Your Service is remarkably of the moment, working as a poignant protest album, a eulogy for a deceased member, and aThe best album of 2016 solely for how perfect everything worked out. A Tribe Called Quest could have easily milked their popularity, resting on nostalgia and returning with a shrug. Thankfully, this couldn't be further from the truth. We Got It From Here...Thank You 4 Your Service is remarkably of the moment, working as a poignant protest album, a eulogy for a deceased member, and a showcase for some of the most stunning bars this year. Tribe finally delivered what fans always wanted: a proper career conclusion that ranks with the best of their work.… Expand
  19. G_Brabbs
    Nov 15, 2016
    10
    I'm not much of a hip-hop fan, but this is an undeniably great album, with some really strong songs - we the people/ Kids/ The space program/ Whateva will be, amongst many others. Guest performers were also all really good. Loved it.
  20. Paul_Mokeski
    Nov 16, 2016
    10
    Best rap album I've heard all year. From true innovators of rap that paved the way for other conscious rappers and hip/hop groups. Amazing how similar this sounds to what is considered by many to be the greatest rap album of all time "Low End Theory". Features were great and instrumentals were as smooth and hypnotic as they've ever been, after all these years seems like Tribe hasn't lost aBest rap album I've heard all year. From true innovators of rap that paved the way for other conscious rappers and hip/hop groups. Amazing how similar this sounds to what is considered by many to be the greatest rap album of all time "Low End Theory". Features were great and instrumentals were as smooth and hypnotic as they've ever been, after all these years seems like Tribe hasn't lost a step. Great send off to a truly legendary rap group who forever changed rap music for the better. Rest In Piece Phife Dawg.… Expand
  21. Dattwood7
    Jan 1, 2017
    6
    It's funny how iconic bands get SOOO much leeway with critics and fans. This album is mediocre at best. I'm a huge Tribe fan. Low End and Midnight are two of the best hip-hop albums of all time. This, sadly, should not be mentioned in the same breath as them. 6/10, and that's being generous.
  22. imakohler
    Nov 17, 2016
    5
    I grew up on Tribe. i love Tribe. We Got It From Here... wants to be the old TCQ so bad and so many songs start strong, but get weird and end weirder.
  23. jrodfilms
    Nov 21, 2016
    7
    Along with Aesop Rocks album, its refreshing to hear something that sounds like what hip hop used to sound like. Q Tip really shines as he always does, but the last sound beats us over the head with a hammer to remind us Phife Dawg was on this album too.
  24. TimW001
    Dec 2, 2016
    9
    As hip hop branches out into new experimental directions it's nice to kick back and enjoy some classic style hip hop. Within the first two tracks it's like a tonne of classic hip hop being dumped on your ears. The smooth beats, the jazzy cool style, fast, and smart lyrics. I loved this album. A must listen.
  25. frankrog29
    Nov 20, 2016
    8
    2016 has been a pretty rough year. Thank God Tribe came out with a new album to make us feel better. This album is nothing but pure, unadulterated, raw, uncut hip-hop. This is what hip-hop is supposed to sound like. All of the popular rappers of 2016 should take notes and learn from this excellent album. Thank you Tribe for releasing one last album before saying farewell. Rest in peace,2016 has been a pretty rough year. Thank God Tribe came out with a new album to make us feel better. This album is nothing but pure, unadulterated, raw, uncut hip-hop. This is what hip-hop is supposed to sound like. All of the popular rappers of 2016 should take notes and learn from this excellent album. Thank you Tribe for releasing one last album before saying farewell. Rest in peace, Phife Dawg.… Expand
  26. LinttaFlamingo
    Nov 21, 2017
    7
    Lyrically there's something to be appreciated in every song, but the production in some of the songs was pretty bleh, and I listened to them many times, hoping the songs would grow on me. The rest is excellent though.
  27. Lomandal
    Feb 6, 2017
    10
    If only one rap album can be named in 2016, my recommendation will be this one. The best definition of FLOW, a no-doubt perfection. And all time jaw-dropping listening...
  28. Nardeen
    Mar 11, 2017
    9
    This is by far the best A Tribe Called Quest album, it's a sort of a goodbye to and by Phife Dawg, it's a way to remind us how fantastic these 4 rappers from Queens really are and to remind us that they still got it.
  29. C_dot
    Nov 26, 2019
    10
    After already boasting one of the greatest discographies in hip-hop history, ATCQ somehow manages to release their best project almost two decades after their debut, despite Phife passing away before the album released. Everything about the album is fantastic: the production, the bars, and the features on this album are absolutely elite.
  30. Wallnuut
    Aug 11, 2018
    10
    As most "A Tribe Called Quest" albums, this one is bound to go down as a classic. The songs are almost unanimously good, with unique and clever takes on politics, society, and our world. This is likely the last time the members of atcq drop a record, and with them doing such justice to their last project its tough to give anything less than a perfect score.
  31. All_ButTrU4
    May 20, 2022
    8
    you can hear them pushing their sound without being enslaved to their previous masterpieces. Shockingly, this is my first time listening to a Quest album and I am heavily impressed and WILL be going back to enjoy their earlier albums. Highlights of this album are The Space Program and Solid Wall of Sound
  32. Ruff_Ambassador
    Jan 17, 2020
    9
    This Album is the perfect way to end off A Tribe Called Quest after 16 years they come back with some of their hardest material and you can really tell how everyone brought their best for this album no one Half assed anything. you can also hear the chemistry between the rappers in songs like the space program and dis generation. I really see the album as a way of passing on the torch fromThis Album is the perfect way to end off A Tribe Called Quest after 16 years they come back with some of their hardest material and you can really tell how everyone brought their best for this album no one Half assed anything. you can also hear the chemistry between the rappers in songs like the space program and dis generation. I really see the album as a way of passing on the torch from the old generation to the new generation with a tittle like “we got it from here thank you 4 your service” they Obviously have faith in the new generation With lines like “Joey, Earl, Kendrick, or Cole, gate keepers of flow” shouting out some newer rappers. This album is a perfect tribute for tribe and phife dawg and I dare say it’s my favorite tribe album.… Expand
  33. connortwilliams
    Jan 7, 2020
    9
    We Got it From Here... is a Tribe's victory lap featuring their signature stellar production, lyricism, and attitude. Serving as a farewell to late member Phife Dawg, despite being mostly recorded before his death. Boasting great features, such as Andre 3000 and Anderson .Paak, as well as usual suspects in Consequence and Busta Rhymes.
  34. slurpeemom
    Feb 7, 2021
    10
    It's hard to pull off a good comeback album, especially one with considerable variety. The versatility, poignance, pointedness, the commentary, the features, the structure.... even in its few dull moments, it's imaginative and ambitious to no fault. The intro track is one of the best I've heard, and the first three tracks as a unit are my favorite consecutive run in any album. Every songIt's hard to pull off a good comeback album, especially one with considerable variety. The versatility, poignance, pointedness, the commentary, the features, the structure.... even in its few dull moments, it's imaginative and ambitious to no fault. The intro track is one of the best I've heard, and the first three tracks as a unit are my favorite consecutive run in any album. Every song is unlike any other, and channels the vibes of Midnight Marauders into a completely new and inventive masterpiece. A perfect tribute-- Lost Somebody brings tears every single listen without fail.… Expand
  35. demarderozan
    May 10, 2022
    10
    Oh, the nostalgia! A Tribe Called Quest's presumably last album gives off very 90s vibes in a world full of quickly produced mediocre mumble rap albums! It's just really nice seeing that the last ATCQ album is pure gold.

Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Best Album of 2016
34
#34 Most Discussed Album of 2016
42
#42 Most Shared Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Record Collector
    Jan 6, 2017
    100
    At once nostalgic and forward thinking, mournful and celebratory, it’s a multihued album with a sharp intelligence. In what will be their final work--the band have announced they won’t continue without Phife--Tribe have retaken their throne as hip-hop’s greatest band.
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  2. The Wire
    Dec 21, 2016
    100
    Sounding like nothing else out there, distinct even from Tribe's previous work, We Got It From Here is political without being preachy, fun without being unintelligent and next level out while being street corner down. A superb swansong. [Jan 2017, p.71]
  3. Uncut
    Dec 20, 2016
    90
    Tribe carry their burdens as lightly as they did on rap landmarks such as People's Instinctive Travels and The Low-End Theory. [Feb 2017, p.38]
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