With the past week being nothing short of tumultuous and tension-filled, it's never been the perfect time to seek the escapism that music can provide. Luckily for fans of music, especially those who like hip hop, the acclaimed and adored group A Tribe Called Quest has released their newest album in 18 years, "We Got It from Here...Thank You 4 Your Service." Fans may still be mourning the late Phife Dawg, but members Q-Tip, Jarobi White, and DJ Ali Shaheed Muhammed are keeping the band's legacy alive with this new album, which even features vocal work from Phife Dawg before his passing. With what will go down as the band's final album, there's never been a better time to look back at the group's musical genius, artistic individuality, and excursion into the pantheon of great hip hop acts. Therefore, here are the 15 best A Tribe Called Quest songs that are guaranteed to bless you with beats, rhymes, and life:

1. "Check the Rhime"

[From 1991's "The Low End Theory"]

Featuring the classic back-and-forth verbal interplay between Q-Tip and Phife Dawg, this first single from the group's second album may be the best exhibition of the rhythmic chemistry between the two rapper's among their whole discography. Before this on their first album, Q-Tip was the most vocal and dynamic member of the group, but this song established both rappers as being at the top of their game and among the greatest emcees in the genre.

2. "Scenario"

[From 1991's "The Low End Theory"]

Arguably the group's most well-known and catchiest song, this track from the band's second album is distinguished for its status as an absolute posse-cut (you'll find yourself joining into the crowded hook of "Here we go, yo, here we go, yo, so what, so what, so what's the scenario?"). The verses are all on point and potent, allowing both the members of ACTQ and guest act Leaders of the New School to shine with braggadocio rhymes. This song is also notable as the track that broke Busta Rhymes out into the public eye, whose verses on this song signal a talent to be recognized.

3. "Electric Relaxation"

[From 1993's "Midnight Marauders"]

A relaxed, groovy ATCQ song that's simply about chilling with a girl, and trying to get her in a freaky mood so that some sex can go down. It's ridiculously simple in concept and structure, but this classic second single from their third album features stand-out work from Q-Tip and Phife Dawg, who rap back-and-forth with each other in the verses. Much like their earlier hit, "Jazz (We've Got)," this is a perfect song to listen to when you want to lie down and let the music transport you to a place of actual relaxation.

4. "Can I Kick It?"

[From 1990's "People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm"]

Prominently sampling the Lou Reed hit "Walk On the Wild Side," this early ATCQ hit may be one of the most famous call-and-response songs in all of hip hop. It was first recorded in 1989, when all the members were just 19, and has been a staple/highlight of live shows ever since, where it really comes alive with the addition of a crowd. Even if you're just listening alone in your room, when you're asked, "Can I kick it?," you're going to find yourself singing back, "Yes, you can!"

5. "Bonita Applebum"

[From 1990's "People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm"]

This track from the group's first album, with verses by Q-Tip and outro by Jarobi White, acts as a classic hip hop romance number. It takes the from of a confession of love from Q-Tip to a girl, who just so happens to have a big booty. Their second single, this is one of the group's most well-known and beloved songs in their entire catalog, with a chorus you can't help but sing along to.

6. "Jazz (We've Got)"

[From 1991's "The Low End Theory"]

A jazzy rap song that appropriately discusses the connections between jazz and hip hop as genres (which is the unifying theme of "The Low End Theory"). This song has all the perfect ingredients that make it the perfect song to relax to: laid-back verses, smooth trumpets, mellow drums & piano, and a catchy, whispered hook of "We've got the jazz, we've got the jazz."

7. "Oh My God"

[From 1993's "Midnight Marauders"]

With a recurring, ear-worm of a chorus of "Oh my God, yes, oh my God!" sung by Busta Rhymes, this song, from the group third album, is so catchy and laid-back that it will have you at the very least humming the beat more often than you'll know. It doesn't help that the verses by Q-Tip and Phife Dawg are also dangerously infectious, with lyrics that you'll know by heart by the third or fourth listen.

8. "Buggin' Out"

[From 1991's "The Low End Theory"]

This song gets started quickly with a dynamic bass & drum beat, followed by trade-off verses by Phife Dawg and Q-Tip. However, the song is most notable for the vivacious performance by Phife, whose delivery and rhymes work to prove that he is a force to be reckoned with, and one you won't soon forget. The music video, in which it is paired with "Jazz (We've Got)," is also highly amusing.

9. "Award Tour"

[From 1993's "Midnight Marauders"]

The first single from the band's third album, this song primarily acts as a celebration of the band's success and acclaim, with gratitude shown to fans and extensive shout-outs to all the places that ATCQ have been to throughout their travels and tours. Appropriately, this song was (and still is) their highest charting single released, both domestically and internationally.

10. "Excursions"

[From 1991's "The Low End Theory"]

With an understated yet groovy bass line making up the backbone of the song, this album-opening cut features Q-Tip solo, but serves to showcase why he is one the most revered emcees in the rap game. With slick rhymes, he tackles a range of topics including the group's early days, their newfound prominence, their respect and love for fans, the knowledge gained from and given by hip hop, and hip hop's ties to traditional African music.

11. "I Left My Wallet in El Segundo"

[From 1990's "People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm"]

With it's Spanish-flavored guitar intro, this lead single from the group's first album introduced a lot of listeners to ATCQ and their ability to craft a lyrically-rich story packed with clever rhymes and smooth flow with a tale of friends going on a road trip and a wallet lost in a dinner. It also showcases the band's humor, with the whole tale being light-hearted and amusing in its "tragedy." The chorus alone, like many ACTQ songs, is so catchy that you'll catch yourself humming or singing all the time.

12. "1nce Again"

[From 1996's "Beats, Rhymes, and Life"]

Actively recalling and recreating the back-and-forth interplay of "Check the Rhime," with a melodic chorus sung by Tammy Lucas, this cut from the group's forth album wonderfully blends the jazz-inspired music from their second album with a radio-friendly pop sound. It was even nominated for Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group at the 1997 Grammy Awards.

13. "Vibes and Stuff"

[From 1991's "The Low End Theory"]

A song that bumps and will have you appropriately feeling the musical vibe, especially with verses about the power of emceeing and hip hop as a tool of unity. Although primarily dominated by Q-Tip, this track features a very memorable Phife Dawg verse, which ranks among his best.

14. "The Hop"

[From 1996's "Beats, Rhymes, and Life"]

With a pounding bass intro, this song acts as a showcase for ATCQ's status as creators of fantastic, chill, and upbeat party music that anyone can listen to. However, along with beats that'll make you dance, their music features lyrics that are also upbeat and thoughtful, making them unlike anyone else. It's another song of braggadocio, but also one of humbleness and positivity, and that's refreshing in of itself.

15. "Word Play"

[From 1996's "Beats, Rhymes, and Life"]

Featuring rapper Consequence as a guest rapper, this slick and tranquil numbers acts as another showcase for Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, and Consequence's skills at word play and lyrical trade-offs. However, the song also takes a bold stance in saying that not all hip hop has to be deeply philosophical or pretentious, but that it should be fun and enjoyable; in fact, the majority of what makes up rap is just simply clever uses and plays on words (aka the titular word play).

Some Honorable Mentions:

"Stressed Out," "Sucka N****," "8 Million Stories," "Hot Sex," "Rap Promoter," "Ham n' Eggs," "Butter," "Youthful Expression," "Luck of Lucien," "Verses From the Abstract," "Show Business," "Oh My God (remix)," "Description of a Fool," "We Can Get Down," "Phony Rappers," "Find a Way," "Keep It Moving," and their collaboration song with Busta Rhymes, "Wild Hot."