A Tribe Called Quest: Q-Tip, Phife (vocals); Ali Shaheed Muhammed (DJ).

Additional personnel includes: Ms. Vinia, Diamond D., Busta Rhymes, Charlie Brown, Brand Nubian, Lord Jammar, Sadat X (vocals); Ron Carter (bass).

Producers: Skeff Anselm, A Tribe Called Quest.

Engineers include: Bob Power, A Tribe Called Quest, Pete Christensen.

Recorded at Greene Street Studios and Soundtrack Studios, New York, New York.

Personnel: Phife Dawg, Q-Tip (vocals).

DJ: Ali Shaheed Muhammad.

Audio Mixers: A Tribe Called Quest; Bob Power.

Recording information: Battery Studios; Greene Street Studios; Soundtrack Studios.

Photographer: Joe Grant .

Unknown Contributor Roles: Diamond D; Dinco D.; Lord Jamar; Sadat X; Busta Rhymes; Charlie Brown .

Arranger: A Tribe Called Quest.

With their second album in 1991, they became serious contenders for Public Enemy's (until then) undisputed crown as hip-hop's cultural leaders. However, where their debut was propelled by a disparate array of samples, The Low-End Theory was built on a stricter musical doctrine - its spine provided by bebop jazz. Though jazz-rap crossover would become a staple of popular music in the mid-90s (Gang Starr, Jazzmatazz, etc.), this album played a substantial part in breaking down barriers between genres. Phife Dog and Q-Tip are on great form too, making the most of Quest's energetic production with cool asides and insightful observations ('The Infamous Date Rape', 'Showbusiness').