Kickin’ back
A Tribe Called Quest’s “The Anthology” suggests sultry beach wear.
Editor’s note: In “Off the Record,” Oklahoma native and Northwest Florida Daily News reporter Savannah Evanoff pairs one of the records from her collection with an outfit and writes about the results.
“My hope is that you will use my outfits as inspiration for your own wardrobe and learn some rad music along the way,” she writes at her blog, savannahofftherecord.com.
If I could take only 10, which 10 records would I take to my own island to listen to for eternity?
This may sound strange, but I honestly ask myself this question on the regular.
A Tribe Called Quest’s “The Anthology” makes the list every time.
Elvis Costello’s “My Aim is True,” The Killers’ “Hot Fuss” and Earth, Wind & Fire’s “The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1” also frequent the list, in case you were wondering. Don’t judge; it’s my island.
The list fluctuates, but A Tribe Called Quest’s 1999 greatest hits compilation always feels like an essential.
The hip-hop record features Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammed and Jarobi White, a temporary member of the group. Malik Taylor, known as Phife Dawg, died in March 2016; may he rest in peace.
Truth be told, I discovered A Tribe Called Quest a little late
The album art for A Tribe Called Quest’s 1999 greatest hits album bears the face of Erykah Badu, a singer-songwriter, DJ and record producer. [PHOTO BY NICK TOMECEK, NORTHWEST FLORIDA DAILY NEWS]
in the game. I swear I wasn’t living under a rock, just near one. I’m glad, though, because time allowed my music taste to mature and diversify to a point where I can truly appreciate the group for what it is, really freaking awesome.
I heard the song “Can I Kick It” while shopping at a quirky knickknacks store in Austin, Texas. The cashier was grooving to the song, and I remember I couldn’t get it out of my head.
I instantly felt cooler just being exposed to it.
When I got back from my trip, I immersed myself in A Tribe Called Quest music starting with “The Anthology.” I played the tracks “Check the Rhime,” “Award Tour” and “Bonita Applebum” on repeat for weeks.
In “Check the Rhime,” I would rap both Q-Tip and Phife Dawg’s parts. “You on point, Tip?” I’d ask. “All the time, Phife,” I’d reply.
I can rap every line, and I still do every time I hear it. As bad as I might sound, I can’t even help myself. Apologies, in advance, to those in the car with me when this occurs.
“Vivrant Thing” is one of my favorites on the album. I remember visiting dictionary.com to see if “vivrant” was a real word. It’s not, but it should be.
There should be an honorary section in the dictionary. Here is my entry:
Vivrant: 1) Special 2) Real good. See entries for vibrant and Savannah Off the Record.
This song, one of the group’s most successful, captures everything I like about A Tribe Called Quest and this album. It’s lively, fun and positive.
I’ve always loved hiphop music, but I have a special affinity for artists who don’t make it sound sad or angry. I adore a fantastic sad song, but something really tugs heartstrings when I hear an upbeat, joy-filled rapper.
“The Anthology” is downright vivrant. (See how I used it in a sentence?) It makes me feel cheeky and hip.
From the faint horn in “Jazz (We’ve Got)” to the humorous storytelling in “I Left My Wallet in El Segundo,” the group has many playlist-worthy tracks. It’s this perfect concoction of old-school music, witty lines and sensual subjects.
It wasn’t hard to choose an outfit that fit this record. I chose something sultry I would wear to an island, the same one I plan to take “The Anthology,” along with nine other albums.
I wear the Sultry Something Black Backless Maxi Dress from Lulu’s Fashion Lounge, available at lulus.com. This dress is beach-y and comfortable, and I plan to buy it in red, too.
The album art bears the face of Erykah Badu, a singer-songwriter, DJ and record producer. Green and orange vertical stripes across her face represent the traditional colors of the Kente tribe of north Congo.
When I see this record, I get all the feels.
My hope is that you will use my outfits as inspiration for your own wardrobe and learn some rad music along the way.” SAVANNAHOFFTHE RECORD.COM