When A Tribe Called Quest broke up after their 1998 “The Love Movement” album, the hip-hop world scrambled to find a new standard bearer for that group’s enormously successful blend of jazzy beats and positive lyrics. At the time, Master P ruled the rap charts and it seemed that perhaps A Tribe Called Quest’s unique hip-hop blend wasn’t about to be resurrected.
Enter the Black Eyed Peas’ first album, 1998’s “Behind the Front,” which blended live instruments with funky samples and upbeat lyrics. However, the album suffered from too-slick production and some generic songs that caused the group’s debut to fall under the radar.
With their new release, “Bridging the Gap,” the Peas have used their two-year hiatus to make an album that picks up A Tribe Called Quest’s slack. Rappers Will-I-Am, Taboo and Apl-de-AP have toned down the positivity of their lyrics and amped up their battle-MC credentials. They brought along a slew of guests to make their second album a more serious and funky affair.
The Peas still continue their habit of using live instruments and samples, but have stripped them down for a more minimalist feel. There are still little flourishes that bring back echoes of “Behind the Front”: Check the big, bad brass section of “Tell Your Momma Come.” As a whole, “Bridging the Gap” is a whole lot more funky and sweaty than the Peas’ debut.
Different elements come together in “Bridging the Gap” to create a richly textured sound that is different than anything else out there. The Peas don’t rap about cars or money, but instead focus on feats of rap athleticism. When they chant “we’re bringing it back,” they’re obviously serious.
Several big-name guests show up to contribute their skills to “Bridging the Gap.” Wyclef, whose excellent production and guitar licks on “Rap Song” proves he should stick to the mixing boards instead of the mic and he also shows that he can still kick it. Mos Def, who is in line for the “most guest spots of the year” award, contributes a skillful yet somewhat unintelligible verse to “On My Own,” and Macy Gray enlivens “Request + Line,” an ode to radio DJs everywhere, with her suede-scratchy vocals.
A Tribe Called Quest’s partners in crime, De La Soul, come off the run-away success of their new album to give a great cameo on “Cali to New York” and cement their old-school mic skills.
Despite their reputation as being “soft,” the Peas bring out a vision of what rap could be. It may not make a lot of money, but it sure is bangin’.