The Low End Theory is a landmark in hip-hop, blending laid-back jazz basslines with sharp, conscious lyricism. Q-Tip’s smooth flow and Phife Dawg’s punchy delivery create a perfect balance on tracks like “Check the Rhime,” “Jazz (We’ve Got),” and the electric Busta Rhymes-assisted “Scenario.” The stripped-down production by Ali Shaheed Muhammad became a pioneering new sound for East Coast rap. Released at a time when hip-hop was turning harder-edged, this album offered a cooler, more cerebral alternative influencing generations of producers and MCs.