UK
1991- Label and catalog number
- Jive HIP 117
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
DFI 91 8 HIP 117 A1Side A stamped runout
DFI 91 8 HIP 117 B1Side B stamped runout
HIP 117 A*Side A label
HIP 117 B*Side B label
Vinyl pressings
The Low End Theory
by A Tribe Called Quest · 1991
26 pressings6 countriesConsciousJazzy Hip-HopBoom BapHip Hop
The Low End Theory was first pressed on vinyl in 1991. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of The Low End Theory
4 pressings came out in 1991, the album's first year, in 3 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
US
1991- Label and catalog number
- Jive 1418-1-JDJ
- Format
- LP, Album, Promo
- Runout / matrix
14 18-1 JA-DMM 2 1A-Side Runout Etching
14 18-1 JB-DMM-SP 1-1B-Side Runout Etching
US
1991- Label and catalog number
- Jive JQ2
- Format
- LP, LP, Single Sided, All Media, Album, Promo
- Runout / matrix
JQ2A-A-side label
JQ2B-B-side label
JQ2C-C-side label
JQ2D-D-side label
Europe
1991- Label and catalog number
- Jive ZL 74940
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
108 DM F-5726 A-1 CRunout Side A
108 DM F-5726 B-1 CRunout Side B
111 DM F-5726 A-2 CRunout Side A, Variant 2
111 DM F-5726 B-2 CRunout Side B, Variant 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 26 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1990s8 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Europe | Jive ZL 74940First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | UK | Jive HIP 117First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1991 | UK | Jive HIP 117LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1991 | US | Jive 1418-1-JDJFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1991 | US | Jive JQ2First yearLP, LP, Single Sided, All Media, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, LP, Single Sided, All Media, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1996 | US | Jive 01241-41418-1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 1996 | US | Jive 01241-41418-1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 1996 | US | Jive 01241-41418-1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
2010s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Europe | Jive ZL 74940LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 2016 | US | Jive 01241-41418-1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
2020s12 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | US | Jive 19439937541 / Sony Music Commercial Music Group 19439937541LP, 45 RPM, LP, 45 RPM, All Media, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Club edition, Colored vinyl | LP, 45 RPM, LP, 45 RPM, All Media, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Club edition, Colored vinyl |
| 2022 | US | Get On Down GET56045-7 / Jive 19439945017Box Set, Album, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo, 7", 45 RPM, 7", 45 RPM, 7", 45 RPM, 7", 45 RPM, 7", 45 RPM, 7", 45 RPM, 7", 45 RPM, 7", 45 RPM · Limited, Colored vinyl | Box Set, Album, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo, 7", 45 RPM, 7", 45 RPM, 7", 45 RPM, 7", 45 RPM, 7", 45 RPM, 7", 45 RPM, 7", 45 RPM, 7", 45 RPM · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2022 | US | Get On Down GET56045-7 / Jive 194399450177", 45 RPM, Box Set, Album, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Box Set, Album, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited |
| 2023 | Europe | Jive 01241-41418-1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2023 | US | Jive 01241-41418-1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Repress |
| 2023 | US | Jive 01241-41418-1LP, Album, Box Set, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Box Set, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 2023 | US | Get On Down GET56045-7 / Jive 194399450177", 45 RPM, Album, Stereo, Box Set, Deluxe Edition, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Album, Stereo, Box Set, Deluxe Edition, Reissue |
| 2023 | US | Jive 01241-41418-1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2024 | Worldwide | Jive 19439937541 / Sony Music Commercial Music Group 19439937541LP, 45 RPM, LP, 45 RPM, All Media, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Repress · Club edition, Colored vinyl | LP, 45 RPM, LP, 45 RPM, All Media, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Repress · Club edition, Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | Worldwide | Jive 19658884871LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2024 | Japan | Sony Records Int'l SIJP 190-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 2025 | Worldwide | RCA 19802901231 / Sony Music 19802901231LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
Year unknown4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Jive HIP 117LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Canada | Jive 01241-41418-1 / Sony Music 01241-41418-1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| ? | US | Jive 01241-41418-1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| ? | US | Jive 01241-41418-1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
Tracklist
- A1Excursions3:53
- A2Buggin' Out3:38
- A3Butter3:39
- A4Verses From The Abstract3:59
- A5Rap Promoter2:13
- A6Scenario4:10
- B1The Infamous Date Rape2:54
- B2Check The Rhime3:36
- B3Everything Is Fair2:59
- B4Jazz (We've Got)4:09
- B5Show Business3:53
- B6What?2:29
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The Low End Theory are there?
26 vinyl pressings of The Low End Theory are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1991 and 2025.
When was The Low End Theory first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1991, in UK, US, Europe. One of them is Jive HIP 117.
How do I tell if my copy of The Low End Theory is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HIP 117, 1418-1-JDJ, JQ2, ZL 74940) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DFI 91 8 HIP 117 A1 and DFI 91 8 HIP 117 B1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The Low End Theory on vinyl worth?
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
