Two more classic Hip-Hop albums are headed to the Library Of Congress. On April 13, the National Recording Registry added Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) and A Tribe Called Quest’sThe Low End Theory to its portion of The Library Of Congress. Every year 25 recordings are added, and this marks the first entry from Wu-Tang, while it is the second album from the Native Tongues crew to hit Congress—following in the footsteps of De La Soul’s 1989 debut.

The two LPs join a 2022 inductee class that includes Bonnie Raitt’s Nick Of Time album, Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” and Alicia Keys’ Songs In A Minor.

The Making Of A Tribe Called Quest’s The Low End Theory, Told By People Who Were There

Several recordings joining the #NatRecRegistry this year were influential in helping deepen and grow the genres of rap, hip-hop and R&B in American culture. Among those: “The Low End Theory” by A Tribe Called Quest (@ATCQ).https://t.co/hNnKnpUPA6 pic.twitter.com/i8jhhahrT9

— Library of Congress (@librarycongress) April 13, 2022

Tribe’s sophomore LP arrived in 1991. During the recording, founding group member Jarobi White left Tribe to pursue culinary arts. The remaining trio of Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and the late Phife Dawg remained to make the Jazz-informed LP on Jive/Zomba Records. Guests included Diamond D, Ron Carter, Vinia Mojica, and featured groups The Leaders Of The New School and Brand Nubian. The album has been certified platinum following a coveted 5-mic rating from The Source magazine. Tribe has also been nominated for ’22 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.

Wu-Tang’s 1993 debut introduced the nine-member crew of RZA, GZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and Masta Killa. The Loud Records debut followed a solo outing from GZA (as The Genius) at the top of the decade, as well as an EP from RZA (as Prince Rakeem). The album was subsequently certified triple platinum. Notably, this album arrived the same day as Tribe’s third album, Midnight Marauders.

The Perfect Day In Hip-Hop: When Wu-Tang & A Tribe Called Quest Dropped Classic Albums

The complete list of Hip-Hop works and the year they were selected to be inducted:

Nas’ Illmatic (2020)
Dr. Dre’s The Chronic (2019)
JAY-Z’s The Blueprint (2018)
Run-D.M.C.’s Raising Hell (2017)
N.W.A.’s Straight Outta Compton (2016)
Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill (2014)
Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight” (2011)
De La Soul’s 3 Feet High And Rising (2010)
Tupac’s “Dear Mama” (2009)
Public Enemy’s Fear Of A Black Planet (2004)
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five’s “The Message” (2002)

Phife Dawg’s Final Album Releases. It Features Q-Tip, Little Brother & More

New music from Phife Dawg, Q-Tip, Method Man, Ghostface Killah, and others is currently on the official Ambrosia For Heads playlist.

#BonusBeat: A recent episode of AFH‘s What’s The Headline podcast that examines the fact and fiction surrounding Wu-Tang Clan’s Wu Tang: American Saga series: