A Tribe Called Quest altered the landscape of hip-hop, introducing Afrocentric themes, jazz and soul samples and, through the Native Tongues collective, a deep sense of community to the genre. Their spirited, thoughtful wordplay, broad perspectives and elastic textures offered an alternative to gangsta rap. Balancing a mischievous sense of fun with sly social commentary, they influenced a generation of producers and lyricists, opening up new possibilities in hip-hop.