Wikipedia
The Low End Theory is the second studio album by American hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest, released on September 24, 1991, by Jive Records. Recording sessions for the album were held mostly at Battery Studios in New York City, from 1990 to 1991. The album was primarily produced by group member Q-Tip, with a minimalist sound that combines bass, drum breaks, and jazz samples, in a departure from the group's debut album, People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm (1990). Lyrically, the album features social commentary, word play, humor, and interplay between Q-Tip and fellow member Phife Dawg.
languageAlso available on...
As an affiliate program participant, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Available Releases
88 releasesVinyl(30)
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United KingdomCat#: HIP 117
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
Europe“A1, A4 and B6 written by J.Davis A2, A3, B1, B2 and B4 written by J.Davis/A.Muhammad/M.Taylor A6 written by P.Jackson/T.Smith/B.Higgins/J.Davis/A.Muhammad/M.Taylor B5 written by S.Anselm/J.Davis/A.Muhammad/M.Taylor B2 written by S....”
Cat#: ZL 74940
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United Kingdom“Comes with printed inner sleeve. Manufactured in the EEC Recorded and mixed... at Battery Studios, Greene Street Studios and Soundtrack Studios. "Show Business" and "Everything Is Fair" programmed at Jazzy Jay's Studio. Published by:...”
Cat#: HIP 117
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive / Zomba
United StatesCat#: 01241-41418-1
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United States“Issued with black & white disc labels, unlike The Low End Theory. Current sealed copies are likely The Low End Theory, which has NRP and RE3 in runouts. Recorded and mixed at Battery Studios, Greene Street Studios and Soundtrack Studios...”
Cat#: 01241-41418-1
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United States“Label variation, multicolor as opposed to black and white. A4 duration misprinted as 2:13. Recorded and mixed...at Battery Studios, Greene Street Studios and Soundtrack Studios. "Show Business" and "Everything Is Fair" programmed at Ja...”
Cat#: 01241-41418-1
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United States“Issued with black & white disc labels, similar to The Low End Theory but without Ⓤ on matrix and with same back cover to The Low End Theory, where the two fine print text in the bottom are two full lines long, including “Printed in Unite...”
Cat#: 01241-41418-1
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United States“Black and white labels. Recorded and mixed @ Questat Battery Studios, Greene Street Studios and Soundtrack. "Show Business" and "Everything Is Fair" programmed at Jazzy Jay's Studio. Additional engineering at Battery, Greene Street and ...”
Cat#: 01241-41418-1
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive / Sony Music Commercial Music Group / Vinyl Me, Please.
United States“VMP Essentials”
Cat#: 19439937541 · VMP-E113
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive / Sony Music Commercial Music Group
United States“Hype sticker: First 2x45 release of Tribe's jazzy sophomore album Lacquers cut by Ryan Smith, Sterling Sound; plated at Welcome to 1979 Pressed on exclusive 2LP green + red vinyl Listening notes booklet by Marcus J. Moore; art print by J...”
Cat#: 19439937541
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightGet On Down / Jive / Sony Music Commercial Music Group
United States“30th anniversary Five of the 7" records are housed in custom picture sleeves that form the iconic album cover along with 3 replicas of the original 12-inch singles that were released. The 7" collection is housed in a deluxe, fabric-wra...”
Cat#: 19439945017 · GET56045-7
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightGet On Down / Jive / Sony Music Commercial Music Group
United States“30th anniversary Five of the 7" records are housed in custom picture sleeves that form the iconic album cover along with Three of the 7"s having generic white inner sleeves featuring ATCQ logo stamps. The 7" collection is housed in a d...”
Cat#: 19439945017 · GET56045-7
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United StatesCat#: 01241-41418-1
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
Europe“Black and white labels. Recorded and mixed @ Questat Battery Studios, Greene Street Studios and Soundtrack. "Show Business" and "Everything Is Fair" programmed at Jazzy Jay's Studio. Additional engineering at Battery, Greene Street and ...”
Cat#: 01241-41418-1
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United States“℗ 1991 Zomba Recording Corp. © 1991, 1996 Zomba Recording Corporation. Manufactured in the United States by Zomba Recording Corporation, 137-139 West 25th Street, New York, NY 10001. Made in Mexico.”
Cat#: 01241-41418-1
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United States“Target box exclusive with Large size t-shirt included.”
Cat#: 01241-41418-1
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United States“Test pressing with info stickers on centre. Made in Mexico.”
Cat#: 01241-41418-1
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightGet On Down / Jive / Sony Music Commercial Music Group
United States“30th anniversary The 7" collection is housed in a deluxe, fabric-wrapped 45 singles carrying case, with 360-degree original album art and custom inner wrapped ATCQ logo graphics and group photo. Black vinyl version.”
Cat#: 19439945017 · GET56045-7
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive / Sony Music Commercial Music Group
“2024 VMP repress. This version has no hype sticker and has the new obi style. Also has a yellow round sticker that says "CUSTOM" The album comes in a resealable bag (no shrink wrap) with a black and white group photo inserted over the ba...”
Cat#: 19439937541
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
“℗ 1991 Zomba Recording Corp. © 1991, 1996 Zomba Recording Corporation. Made in the EU. Runouts are etched except for -64153- and -64154- which are stamped.”
Cat#: 19658884871
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightSony Records International
Japan“2024 Japan edition”
Cat#: SIJP 190-1
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightRCA Records / Sony Music Entertainment
“Record Store Day 2025 Exclusive Release Made in the EU. Runouts are etched, except -64153-I & -64154-I are stamped.”
Cat#: 19802901231
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United StatesCat#: 1418-1-JDJ
Show Vinyl
chevron_rightJive
United States“The vinyl is translucent. 3LP, incl F side = containing silent grooves ℗ 1991 Zomba Record Corp. Made in U.S.A. An original sound recording made by Zomba Recording Corporation.”
Cat#: JQ2
CD(40)
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
CanadaCat#: J2 1418
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
CanadaCat#: 0124144134-2
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United States“BMG Direct Marketing info replaces bar code on back insert, with catalog number (D 124809). BMG Distribution logo on disc face with catalog number (D125809) which is not present on other BMG Direct CD (The Low End Theory) On disc face: ...”
Cat#: 1418-2-J
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightBMG Direct Marketing, Inc. / Jive
United StatesCat#: 1418-2-J · D 124809
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
Europe“Cat# ZD74940 on spine, back cover and booklet. Cat# ZD 74940 on CD. Recorded and mixed at Battery Studios, Greene Street Studios and Soundtrack Studios. Tracks 6 and 10 programmed at Jazzy Jay's Studio. All songs published by Zomba Ent...”
Cat#: ZD 74940 · ZD74940
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
CanadaCat#: 1418-2-J
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United KingdomCat#: (7) 051 351-2 · CHIP 117
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United States“Recorded and mixed at Battery Studios, Greene Studios and Soundtrack Studios. "Show Business" and "Everything Is Fair" programmed at Jazzy Jay's Studio. Additional engineering at Battery; Greene Street and at Soundtrack. Mastered DMS, NY...”
Cat#: 1418-2-J
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United Kingdom“UK Code: UK: CHIP 117 Int. Cat. No.: (7) 051 351-2”
Cat#: (7) 051 351-2 · CHIP 117
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United States“Recorded and mixed at Battery Studios, Greene Studios and Soundtrack Studios. "Show Business" and "Everything Is Fair" programmed at Jazzy Jay's Studio. Additional engineering at Battery; Greene Street and at Soundtrack. Mastered DMS, NY...”
Cat#: 1418-2-J
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United Kingdom“UK Code: UK: CHIP 117 Int. Cat. No.: (7) 051 351-2”
Cat#: (7) 051 351-2 · CHIP 117
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightAlfaMusic
Japan“Recorded and mixed at Battery Studios, Greene Studios and Soundtrack Studios. "Show Business" and "Everything Is Fair" programmed at Jazzy Jay's Studio. Additional engineering at Battery; Greene Street and at Soundtrack. Mastered DMS, NY...”
Cat#: ALCB-365
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
JapanCat#: BVCQ-607
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
Japan“Made in Japan”
Cat#: BVCQ-607
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
Australia“(p) 1991 Zomba Recording Corp, (c) 1996 Mushroom Records P/L”
Cat#: MUSH32006-2
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
Canada“℗ & © 1991 Zomba Recording Corporation. Printed in Canada.”
Cat#: 0124144134-2
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightavex trax
Japan“Japan reissue bonus track”
Cat#: AVCZ 95025
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
Australia“This is an ANZ reissue glass mastered by SSD and pressed by SMEA. It has the Mushroom Records catalogue number in the matrix as well as "SMEA" for Sony Music Entertainment Australia. SMEA is just printed as part of the normal matrix. The...”
Cat#: CHIP117
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
EuropeCat#: 82876 53549 2
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightSony Music Labels
Japan“Japanese edition with bonus truck.”
Cat#: SICP 5245
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
Japan“Made in Japan. Track 15 is a bonus track. Japanese bonus tracks are not printed on inserts but are listed on the Obi strip and Japanese booklet. 24bit Digital Remaster.”
Cat#: BVCM-37768
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United States“Year was determined by decoding Sonopress Matrix. Recorded and mixed at Battery Studios, Greene Studios and Soundtrack Studios. "Show Business" and "Everything Is Fair" programmed at Jazzy Jay's Studio. Additional engineering at Battery...”
Cat#: 1418-2-J
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
Japan“Issued in a replica mini-LP paper sleeve with obi strip and booklet with lyrics in English and Japanese and notes in Japanese. Super High Material CD.”
Cat#: BVCM-34490
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United States“Some versions have packaging that includes a sticker on the front, hyping a documentary on A Tribe Called Quest. Front Sticker Text: Includes Music From The Documentary Film In Theaters Summer 2011 wwwbeatsrhymesandlifemovie.com ...”
Cat#: 1418-2-J
Tape(18)
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United StatesCat#: 1418-4-J · J4 1418
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United States“This version has "100 50 0" type timing marks on cassette window”
Cat#: 1418-4-J
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United States“1991”
Cat#: 74940-4
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
Canada“Canadian Record Club Cassette (BMG) Black cassette with silver text”
Cat#: 1418-4-J
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United States“BMG Club edition in a white shell.”
Cat#: 1418-4-J
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
Germany“Recorded & mixed at Battery, Greene St. & Soundtrack Studios. Printed in Germany.”
Cat#: ZK 74940
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United States“BMG Club edition in a clear shell. C 124809 printed on inlay spine.”
Cat#: 1418-4-J
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United States“This version has seven circles horizontally across the timing window, the middle circle is larger: o o o O o o o J-card insert: Printed in the United States. Cassette shell print: Printed in the U.S.A.”
Cat#: 1418-4-J
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United States“This version has a white shell with a small window and a time counter 100"""50"""0 different from the other version The Low End Theory which has a wide window. Club Edition Mfd. for BMG Direct Marketing, Inc. Under Licence 6550 East 30t...”
Cat#: 1418-4-J
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United States“This version does not have marks on or near the timing window. Direction/management: Chris Lighty, Baby Sound Productions and Rush Management Photography: Joe Gran1 Make up (group members): Kim Young Special effects make up (model): Pa...”
Cat#: 1418-4-J
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United Kingdom“Recorded & mixed at Battery, Greene St. & Soundtrack Studios. Very similar to this UK release: The Low End Theory Sleeve is identical, but the tape itself is different: • the shell does not have the 0-50-100 timing marks • the actual pr...”
Cat#: HIP C 117
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United Kingdom“Recorded & mixed at Battery, Greene St. & Soundtrack Studios.”
Cat#: HIP C 117
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
CanadaCat#: J4 1418
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United States“Lyrics are uncensored”
Cat#: 1418-4-JA
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
Canada“Clear cassette shell”
Cat#: 1418-4-J
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
ItalyCat#: ZK 74940
The Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United States“This version has crosshair style timing marks. Direction/management: Chris Lighty, Baby Sound Productions and Rush Management Photography: Joe Gran1 Make up (group members): Kim Young Special effects make up (model): Paddy Crofton Desi...”
Cat#: 1418-4-J
Low End Theory
chevron_rightJive
United States