People's Instinctive Travels

In April of 1990 A Tribe Called Quest dropped their debut album, People's Instinctive Travels And The Paths Of Rhythm. After appearances by Tribe member Q-Tip on "Black Is Black" by The Jungle Brothers, and "Me, Myself, And I" by De La Soul, ATCQ dropped People's Instinctive Travels to critical acclaim.

The album's first single and video, "I Left My Wallet In El Segundo" established the group's early "bohemian" image, while the second single "Bonita Applebum" gave them their first hit. "Bonita Applebum" peaked at #4 on Billboard US Hot Rap Songs, and #28 US Dance Singles.

"Can I Kick It" is the third single from the album, and it served for many as an introduction to Phife Dawg who didn't play a major part in their previously released singles. "Luck of Lucien", "Push It Along", "Footprints", "Youthful Expression", and "Rhythm" all made People's Instinctive Travels a strong debut, and a glimpse into the group that would soon become synonymous with jazz samples, a dope synergy between Tip and Phife, and stellar production.

Fear Of A Black Planet

Fear Of A Black Planet, Public Enemy's third album, and the last produced by the Bomb Squad was delivered in the midst of controversy caused by group member Professor Griff's statement to the press that was deemed anti-semitic. That controversy is directly addressed on the album's powerful lead single, "Welcome To The Terrordome".

The inspiration for the album and song title Fear Of A Black Planet are derived from the late Dr. Frances Cress Welsing, and her teachings on race and genetics. The album peaked at #3 US R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and #10 Hot 200.

Continuing and expanding on the Bomb Squad's "wall of sound", Fear Of A Black Planet contains "Fight The Power" from Spike Lee's Do The Right Thing, "Brothers Gonna Work It Out", "Anti Nigga Machine","911 is A Joke", "Burn Hollywood Burn", and "Who Stole The Soul".

Fear Of A Black Planet feels more cohesive and thematic than PE's previous albums, and tackles an array of serious topics such as police brutality, racism in Hollywood,the hypocrisy of the nations emergency response system, and the groups internal conflicts at the time. Fear Of A Black Planet is regarded as one of PE's finest releases, and one that has matured well.