Videos by According2HipHop
Midnight Marauders is one of the most balanced, seamless, and replayable albums in hip-hop history. Released on November 9, 1993, A Tribe Called Quest’s third studio album perfected the group’s jazzy aesthetic, sharpened their social commentary, and elevated Q-Tip and Phife Dawg into peak form. The production, lyricism, sequencing, and chemistry are so elite that ranking these tracks is almost unfair — because there are no weak links.
But greatness invites comparison. So here is a thoughtful ranking of all 14 tracks on Midnight Marauders, from “least” (in the context of a classic with zero skips) to greatest.
14. “Keep It Rollin’” (feat. Large Professor)
A laid-back continuation of “The Chase, Pt. II,” powered by Large Professor’s presence. It’s cool, it’s breezy, it fits the vibe — but Tribe has higher peaks on this LP.
13. “Keep It Rollin’” (feat. Large Professor)
A laid-back continuation of “The Chase, Pt. II,” powered by Large Professor’s presence. It’s cool, it’s breezy, it fits the vibe — but Tribe has higher peaks on this LP.
12. “Clap Your Hands”
This sample-stacked groove feels like stepping into a house party DJ’d by the coolest kid in the neighborhood. Tip rides the beat effortlessly, and the transitions make it one of the smoothest listens front to back.
11. “We Can Get Down”
The track is smooth, funky, and lyrically sharp. Phife and Tip exchange bars with ease, and the groove is undeniable. It lands here only because the album is stacked with even more iconic moments.
10. “Sucka Nigga”
Q-Tip delivers a nuanced, introspective breakdown of the N-word — its history, its evolution, its tensions. It’s socially important, musically brilliant, and decades ahead of its time. A timeless piece of hip-hop scholarship.
9. “Steve Biko (Stir It Up)”
Named after the South African anti-apartheid activist, the song blends Afrocentric pride with Tribe’s slick delivery. It sets the tone for the album’s intelligence and cultural awareness — and the bassline is hypnotic.
8. “Oh My God” (feat. Busta Rhymes)
A rowdy, energetic burst of fun with an iconic Busta Rhymes cameo. The call-and-response hook and dynamic beat made it a memorable single — and an instant fan favorite.
7. “8 Million Stories”
Phife’s storytelling shines here as he narrates a day of frustrations with comedic precision. It’s one of his best character-driven verses, grounding the album in relatable real-life chaos.
6. “Midnight”
One of the most underrated songs in Tribe’s entire catalog. Q-Tip’s vivid imagery turns nighttime NYC into a cinematic experience. The storytelling is rich, mature, and layered. A quiet masterpiece.
5. “The Chase, Pt. II”
A slick back-and-forth between Tip and Phife that showcases their chemistry. It feels like Tribe cruising on autopilot — and their “autopilot” is still better than most rappers’ best.
4. “God Lives Through”
The outro wraps the album in spirituality, smooth basslines, and Tribe’s signature calm confidence. A poetic closer that reinforces the group’s philosophical core: stay cool, stay grounded, and stay true.
3. “Lyrics to Go”
The Minnie Riperton sample is legendary, and the lyrical flexing and tone inspire cult-classic status among fans. Its dreamlike atmosphere makes it a standout, but not quite top-tier on this stacked album.
2. “Electric Relaxation”
One of the greatest feel-good hip-hop songs ever made. Silky, sensual, witty, and effortlessly cool, it embodies the Tribe sound at its most seductive and charismatic. A song that feels as fresh today as it did in 1993.
1. “Award Tour” (feat. Trugoy the Dove)
The lead single and one of Tribe’s most recognizable songs. It’s upbeat, polished, and celebratory — a victory lap in real time, with De La Soul’s Trugoy adding a perfect touch. Its mainstream accessibility slightly edges down its ranking, only because deeper cuts hit harder emotionally.
